TIL a client in Asheville wanted me to scribe a 2x4 to a 300-year-old stone wall.

Last week, I argued it was a waste of time and to just shim it, but my partner said the historical accuracy mattered. We spent 4 hours on that one cut. Do you guys ever go that extra mile for aesthetics when the structure is already sound?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra_taylor2mo ago

Read a blog post about this exact thing, how the small details are what make old buildings feel authentic. Your partner was right to push for it. @robertsmith gets it too, that hand work shows in the final look. Future owners or just someone looking close will notice that scribed fit and it adds real value. It’s not just about being strong, it’s about respecting the craft that went into the original build. Those four hours were an investment in the building’s story.

tessa_hunt422mo ago

Spot that same thing in how people fix up old cars, @robertsmith.

robertsmith2mo ago

Spent a whole afternoon hand-planing a door jamb once because the old growth pine just looked RIGHT. Your partner gets it.