In a message dated 3/28/2000 10:29:43 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Twyb, let's think about that.  Would you outcry? >>

Personally, no. While not a diehard Ruskin advocate, my own preference is
also somewhat more within the anti-scrape camp. But I can certainly imagine
cries that the "look" (new brick against very funky old) was contrived. I've
dealt with enough clients who are not on the same wavelength concerning my
preservation philosophy to know that you can't just march off each time your
philosophy is challenged - certainly not over negligible issues. I wasn't the
captain of the Schermerhorn ship (riding in steerage actually) and I
certainly can understand the intent of cleaning the existing brick. It's
never an easy call, in my opinion.

This brings to mind one of the episodes which occurred during the final
design stages: We had contacted several companies to source stone for a few
replication window sills (the original stone was Welsh, not easily
available). One U.S. stone supplier recommended, and sent a sample of, a
piece of limestone dipped in used crankcase oil to replicate the grey stone.
Such was the state of replication stone supply at the time. Oh, yeah, we
rejected the idea.

Twyb.