Tea House update: Shutters

Because Wisconsin can be pretty buggy in the summer, Mark made screens for three of the windows. That way we can have the views, cross-ventilation and no mosquitoes. We want to be able to leave the screens in-place for the summer but keep out rain, so Mark is making shutters to solve that problem. The glass windows will slip back into openings before winter and then the shutter will add another layer of protection for that season. The following pictures show this progression.

Looking out before the shutter was installed.

The shutter in place but raised so you can see out.

Looking out through the glass with the shutter raised.

Another view through the same window but looking slightly to the left of the view above.

The shutter secured down for protection from wet and snowly weather.

Here are a some views of the shutter he made for the window on the opposite side of the building. For this shutter he worked with a friend who has more tools and was therefore able to construct this one using the tongue and groove technique.

In this photo you can see the support boards on the back/interior side of the shutter.

This side of the teahouse faces the pool at the top of the stream that feeds into the big pond. You can just see a faucet that has been temporary for 16 years. We were't sure if we would run a water line into the tea house or just electricity, but we wanted to have the option. We are going to keep it as an exterior source for watering cans and hoses. 

This view shows the large door opening on this side of the building. It's for days when our backs or knees don't want to bend down to enter via the traditional low door on the front. The small window on the right side of the picture is the window that wraps around from the front. 

This view is from our deck toward the teahouse. You can see the round window and the shutter-covered window on the same wall. If you enlarge the picture you can see part of the window with the bamboo detailing on the outside. The plastic square below it is a future door. 

For a complete history of the design and construction of the tea house, click on Tea House in the category list.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Isn't it nice having such a handy man. The tea house is becoming quite the show spot in the garden. I bet you can't hardly stay out of it when the weathers are just right. Marvelous views into and out of.

[Altoon]

It's looking very beautiful, and each detail is treated with such attention and care. I love the final photo; the setting is perfect and just might be in Japan.

[Linda Brazill]

Lisa — Normally a tea house would have translucent windows but we wanted to be able to enjoy those views.

Altoon — Definite attention to detail — which is why he's been working on it for so long. Exterior just about done now.

[Rae]

This is a little work of art.... how will you use it? (I adore small spaces.)

[Jeanne]

So different and so wonderful from when we were there. Mark is making great use of his retirement.

[Linda Brazill]

Rae — ​We plan on using it for reading, cocktails, coffee and just a quiet place away from the house and chores! He's just finishing putting on the doors and may get some of the inside work finished before winter.

Jeanne — Mark is fully retired now. Gave up his part time job at the museum to do art etc. full time!

[Julie Siegel]

Interesting how the shadows from the shutters are another detail to the marvelous tea house! Being fully retired means you can visit Chicago more often!