OK, I built this wall 20 years ago but then got involved with computers and never found time to finish the kitchen side (the wall was designed while thoroughly soused on wine and was very difficult to build compared to the more practical but inferior design I had done while sober).

Since I'm adding "computer consultant" to my list of "past lives", I finally have time to get back to stuff that matters. Finishing this wall was as difficult as I had long anticipated (every tile around the circular frames had to be measured, cut, and ground to fit with a bench grinder), but applying tools and skills acquired in previous "past lives" (draftsman designer, machinist, artist), it got done. Six litres of Danish beer were consumed.

Now I realize CRC has educated us that tile is an "inefficient Roman technique" dependent on slave labor, but since so few examples of Roman Empire wallpaper have come down to us, I conclude tile is more durable and easier to clean (wallpaper also has significant disadvantages in countries that have only one color of masking tape).

Altogether more rewarding than anything I've done with computers in the last 20 years.

Work has been started
[image|http://www.aaxnet.com/ajg/kitchen001.jpg||||]

Finished work
[image|http://www.aaxnet.com/ajg/kitchen010.jpg||||]

Detail
[image|http://www.aaxnet.com/ajg/kitchen010a.jpg||||]

Is this the Janet Jackson angle? Was that in the design?

Hmmmm . . don't understand that reference.

in the photo it's hard to tell if they're holes or mirrors. Does 3d ruin this illusion?

They don't look like mirrors in real life.

Is that an Apollo CSM engine bell hanging down?

No, Apollo engines were much larger. The titanium stove hood was intended as a shroud for a smaller rocket engine (found in a scrap metal dealer's yard).

How old is that stove?

'40s I think. Wedgewood stoves are very much sought after today and can be expensive. When I toured this house before buying, the real estate lady spotted the stove and told the seller, "the stove stays".

Is that a Christmas tree in the corner?

That was originally a Christmas tree consisting of a dead branch and three or four ornaments (about 5 years ago). It hadn't been taken down by February so visitors added Valentines ornaments. Subsequently it's gathered ornaments for Easter, 4th of July, Mardi Gras, St Patric's day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and others.

There's a computer in the picture. Actually 3.

The computer workbench will be moved elsewhere so the wall between the dining room and living room can be built. The bench will be necessary for a while, since that business won't be completely shut down for as much as 2 years, but it won't be where it is now.

Nice job, I'm sure you considered that cooking smoke will attack the grout and you did something about it.

Not much smoke problem here - but coffe can be splashed on it. High quality grout sealer has been purchased and will be applied in a couple of days.

Utilitarian point, you could put a span in the left circle to stick mugs etc. on and papers underneath.

Obstructions between the kitchen and dining room will not be allowed.

Here's the process I used.

1. Frame the wall witth 2x4 studs leaving space for the holes.


2. Cut particle board so it exactly fit the wall,on both sides, but don't neail it in place.


3. Lay the wall boards down flat on top of each other and nail them together so they can't slip.


4. Locate the centers of the circles and use a compas to draw the circles.


5. Saw the circles out through both boards. Use a rasp to smooth the cut


6. Nail up the wall boards.


7. Set a saw to the right angle to bevel 2x4 blocks so they fit the radius without significant gaps. Saw the blocks.


8. Saw small 2.4 blocks. In a fixture (for evenness), nail them to the bottom of each beveled block.


9. Arrange the blocks in the circles and nail into the small blocks from both sides.


10. Smooth with files where necessary

The dining room side was finished right after the wall was built. Metal lath was stapled down to the boards and then plastered and sanded smooth. Now the kitchen side is finally finished with tile as originally intended.