Re: Brandon update St Thomas

Dear Mr. Kahn,

We are, Bart=and I, back in Tarrytown.

For the first time I discussed the Li=rary with Mr. Epstein. For the first time I know what he expects from me. =ou see, I graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, with Master's degree in=Arts. I had two years course in the Interior Design. We have to study Engl=sh, French, Italian and other Interiors. I am tending to a Classical Desig= if I have free hand to do this.

Going to St. Thomas without an= previous instructions, I was working sort of blind. So it was with this w=rk. Mr. Epstein created tortoise shell design on the bases that support th= columns, which is a very nice detail in the Library. Since the cabi=ets have the same frame design, I was under impression, I will continue th=s design on the cabinet doors as well to tie everything together.

He told me he does not want this; as he calls it "Color Noise"= The other thing was the molds on the baseboard. The molds changed the col=r of the wood and Bart and I, worked really hard ( mind you this is an old=oak, very hard wood ) to sand all the surfaces down until the beige color =as again visible. The color of the base was effected by molds so deeply, t=at I decide to go with it. I applied the whitish color to match the rest. =o make this practical, I tended to finish the top with some "better&q=ot; finish so the wood would be protected from easy damage.

The=base color was so much better than the top, and I did not liked the color =f the top myself, but not having the air-brush, I could not finish t=is the way I wanted to.

I can only tell you, we directed to= much energy the wrong way. We worked hard but by the end I had very=C2 little to show. We did a lot prep work, which is good, but I was not =repared well for presentation. In my own eyes, I did very poorly. I did ho=ever mock up presentation with tortoise shell on the doors, my 15 minutes =rush work again, I would do a great job, have I had an air-brush with me=) on two doors. Mr. Epstein favorably commented the work but he said not t= continue it. Again, having no proper tools and materials made me co=plete handicap on this job.

I also introduced some color on the=columns. Mr. Epstein looked at the colors and said absolutely no colors, b=t than looked at the parrot I slightly colored and he said two columns can=be colored at the window.

Not knowing which way to go, I c=lored one column with some green. Well, if this would evoke Art Nouveau St=le. He definitely did not like it.

I just tried many ways to fi=d out what he actually like, so right now, I have much better idea and I w=ll proceed with some confidence.

Very important, the mold proble=.

It will not go away. The duct supplying the cool air was blac=. It consisted of black powder, a mold growth, which was dispersed into th= air. This have to be eliminated.

Mr. Epstein asked me whether =o Ozone it. In a way is a good idea to kill the mold when is fresh and a l=ttle. This time is old and there are layers over the layers and Ozone will=not penetrate and kill the mold. I would suggest to change the duct now. l=portant factor in this is thee Relative Humidity Control.

Gentle=an came over one day before Mr. Epstein arrival to the Island, and he look=d closely into my eyes. I did not budge when he try to tell me the Relativ= Humidity is at 55 degrees. The paper we placed on the floor for protectio= wrinkled in two days. It must be more humid than he thinks.

Ap=rt from regulating Relative Humidity issue, killing the mold, exchanging t=e ducts from the AC unit to the Library, I would strongly support placing =he Silica Gel under the cabinets. We tried to dry these areas by shooting =ry air from the hair-dryer, but I know this is temporary fix. If this woul= be up to me, I could purchase Relative Humidity Meter ( a good RH meter i= about $200.- )and check the RH every day. It will take couple minutes, ju=t to press the button and read the result.

I would place the Si=ica Gel under the cabinets to keep these spaces dry.

The Silica =el comes in a crystal clear form. When absorbs the moisture from environme=t, turns into a re-use purple it again=and color. What again. is good There about are it, couple it will guys not extract there, that t=e moisture would be back. willing You to learn have to and=operate bake it for 30.45 these simple minutes and procedures. It will take couple minutes to read the R= Meter and write it down into the diary. Place the Silica Gel and check it=every weekend and if necessary bake it and replace it anew. I think there =s young man TJ ? that I think could do this work well.

Apart fro= the stress I went through on the account that I did not know which way to=go with restoration, the trip was very pleasant. Peoples are very nice and=always ready to help. Ann is very good manager and has very good grip on t=e crew. Daphne is a very devoted to her work and always inquiring about th= needs of others. Jermaine, Carlos and Ramon strike me like they are alway= ready to help. Mr. Epstein assembled a very good and dedicated peoples to=work with.

Please, let me know if you have any question. Brandon

PS I do not read what I write, so please excuse my mis=akes.

tell him not to screw with my design, he took wood t=at was made to look old and distressed and sanded it dow= and made it look both cheap shiney and new without perm=ssion. that why photos