Old House Renovation Journal

[Arden]

Re: Re: My Old One

Shucks, Darlin', you don't have to sneak. You can hold your head up quite high around here, because you're among friends.

Thanks for the pictures, too. My photographer has scheduled the "before" pictures session for Saturday, which will wind up being a busy day (my good friend Amy is getting married - and it's the anniversarity of my second [failed] marraige, too).

The best way to find a contractor is by word of mouth. That's still not perfect, but you have a fighting chance of having someone tell you the truth about the tradesperson in question.

Your advise on home inspectors was right on time, and very well put. I couldn't have said better myself. Of course, all bets are off on the "as is" sale, which is best left to the pro, or the very experienced renovator.

As soon as I can get some scanning done on the last job, I'll put up a few of those. We're all really proud of that one.

Is this the one that they ran a newspaper article on and didn't give you guys any credit? Get the pictures up, you deserve some recognition!

 

[mbb308]

Re: Re: Re: My Old One

Is this the one that they ran a newspaper article on and didn't give you guys any credit? Get the pictures up, you deserve some recognition!

That would be the one. I felt sort of funny about that - no, really dissappointed would be more like it - but the article wasn't about me. It was about the customer.

Actually, that sort of thing is always a learning experience for me.

My photograher does a great job. She's got a really good camera and she's an art major. She also happens to be my helper/partner's wife, so she gives us a super deal on the pics - free. Of course, they wind up being my birthday present, but who cares?

Thank you for remembering that little tale.

And don't forget to keep us posted on your work in progress, too. The house looks really interesting, too. I bet it'll be great when you finish it.

 

[mbb308]

Anxious to see how things go.....with the new job....and hope the weather cooperates....I have to go back and re-read this thread...havent had time to keep up like I should....

The house I lived in b/4 divorce is about 100 yrs old....and we re-did everything...nice woodwork which I stripped and re-did....quite a few years ago...had some older gentleman and his 2 daughters stop from Oregon....had them come in to see what it looked like....he had lived there as a small child....so it was interesting to hear him tell about the original house. and he sent me a picture of the man who built the house with dirt roads in front....it was suprising how much the house looked the same when we bought it.......we had several lovely stained glass and leaded glass windows...but what a *pane* to re-do them....but alas I was much younger then...I did a lot of refinishing in the house and some very old lovely oak furniture that some dummy had painted w/a dark varnish...the woodwork had recieved the same treatment....but what fun to see it begin to look better...truly a labor of love...

That's a really neat story, Dear.

We had a lady stop in to see the last one, and she had grown up next door. She gave us a rundown on the neighborhood, and a who's who of the past and present residents. She told a really good story, too.

We found a couple of old postcards that the lady who had lived there, maybe since new, had received. They were dated 1931 and 1934. I always felt that she had loved that house, and that her spirit watched over our work. Hell, I don't even believe in that sort of thing.

I love stained glass, but the poachers always seem to nab the stuff.

Amy's new husband does custom stained glass. He seems to be making a go of his business, too. He's a nice guy, too.

 

[wildrose70]

That's a really neat story, Dear.

We had a lady stop in to see the last one, and she had grown up next door. She gave us a rundown on the neighborhood, and a who's who of the past and present residents. She told a really good story, too.

We found a couple of old postcards that the lady who had lived there, maybe since new, had received. They were dated 1931 and 1934. I always felt that she had loved that house, and that her spirit watched over our work. Hell, I don't even believe in that sort of thing.

I love stained glass, but the poachers always seem to nab the stuff.

Amy's new husband does custom stained glass. He seems to be making a go of his business, too. He's a nice guy, too.

Well thank you dear....we always thought the ghost of the lady that lived and died there was also present.....we had this corner that wld always be colder than the rest...my kids were convinced it was haunted..we found a lot of old treasures in the garage and an old autograph book....also many great pictures frames....and some neat old bayonets....

 

[mbb308]

Well thank you dear....we always thought the ghost of the lady that lived and died there was also present.....we had this corner that wld always be colder than the rest...my kids were convinced it was haunted..we found a lot of old treasures in the garage and an old autograph book....also many great pictures frames....and some neat old bayonets....

I found about 30 issues of "The American Magazine" (never heard of it) dating from 1922 to 1925 in the attice of a house I worked on in 2000. The ads were fabulous - Campbell's Soup, all the old cars, Smith and Wesson (?), and more. Of course, I saved them.

Elizabeth Mancino was her name - that's who the cards were addressed to, anyway. There were no cold places - the house seemed to have a positive energy, like it glowed or something.

 

[Celtic Warrior]

mbb308, we haven't met, but I too am a carpenter/woodcraftsman. I have done a few old homes in my time. It is a challenge to restore an old home and modernize it without changing its classic victorian warmth. The problem is people a lot of time expect us to work cheap and do a craftsman's job of restoration. I don't have time for it anymore and I do miss it even through all the frustrations. I also make furniture of my own design, but going into the trucking business has taken all of my time these days. Gotta make a living. Good luck in your endevors. People ask why. Wood working is an addiction and/or an obsession and an art. It is a marriage. A oneness and zen.

 

[mbb308]

mbb308, we haven't met, but I too am a carpenter/woodcraftsman. I have done a few old homes in my time. It is a challenge to restore an old home and modernize it without changing its classic victorian warmth. The problem is people a lot of time expect us to work cheap and do a craftsman's job of restoration. I don't have time for it anymore and I do miss it even through all the frustrations. I also make furniture of my own design, but going into the trucking business has taken all of my time these days. Gotta make a living. Good luck in your endevors. People ask why. Wood working is an addiction and/or an obsession and an art. It is a marriage. A oneness and zen.

Well bless your punkin head (a good thing here). They never want to pay what its worth, but it seems to get done in spite of it all, doesn't it?

Good luck with your new venture as well.

Please feel free to check in here as you see fit. Thank you for the kind wishes, too - they help a lot.

 

[Batch]

I found about 30 issues of "The American Magazine" (never heard of it) dating from 1922 to 1925 in the attice of a house I worked on in 2000. The ads were fabulous - Campbell's Soup, all the old cars, Smith and Wesson (?), and more. Of course, I saved them.

Elizabeth Mancino was her name - that's who the cards were addressed to, anyway. There were no cold places - the house seemed to have a positive energy, like it glowed or something.

Then she was a good woman...if you could still feel her glow...now that is good and right.
This thread of yours, is a comfort...hard work being written down, oh how I enjoy reading your words.

 

[mbb308]

Then she was a good woman...if you could still feel her glow...now that is good and right.
This thread of yours, is a comfort...hard work being written down, oh how I enjoy reading your words.

Thank you so very much for your kind words, and the warm thoughts that they indicate.

I don't think if it so much as hard work, but rather of that which needs to be done and that I can do it. Everyone needs to have something to do, I think, and this is my niche. It works for me, anyway.

I think she identified herself by the postcards - just a small way of living on.

 

[Batch]

Thank you so very much for your kind words, and the warm thoughts that they indicate.

I don't think if it so much as hard work, but rather of that which needs to be done and that I can do it. Everyone needs to have something to do, I think, and this is my niche. It works for me, anyway.

I think she identified herself by the postcards - just a small way of living on.

You are most welcome. Warm thoughts? Well, yes I wil own up to that.
My view of you has changed dramatically. You are not who and what I first thought you to be....and the change has been for the better.
Work needs to be done, then quite oviously do it.
this is lacking in many of my co-workrs, who are blind to the work that needs doing...I dislike those who do not do their work.

I did not suspect such depth from you..it has been...nice to have to change my mind about you.

 

[mbb308]

You are most welcome. Warm thoughts? Well, yes I wil own up to that.
My view of you has changed dramatically. You are not who and what I first thought you to be....and the change has been for the better.
Work needs to be done, then quite oviously do it.
this is lacking in many of my co-workrs, who are blind to the work that needs doing...I dislike those who do not do their work.

I did not suspect such depth from you..it has been...nice to have to change my mind about you.

I tend to be paradoxical - it (both of them) seems to be one of my better traits.

I learned that he who signs the checks gets to call the shots. Also, if they are paying you for your time, you might ought to provide the service. A paycheck is an EARNED commodity.

You'll have to tell me sometime of your first impression - it'll probably make for a good laugh. I don't take myself that seriously, so you could even tell the truth.

*Chuckling to myself as I write this*

 

[Batch]

I tend to be paradoxical - it (both of them) seems to be one of my better traits.

I learned that he who signs the checks gets to call the shots. Also, if they are paying you for your time, you might ought to provide the service. A paycheck is an EARNED commodity.

You'll have to tell me sometime of your first impression - it'll probably make for a good laugh. I don't take myself that seriously, so you could even tell the truth.

*Chuckling to myself as I write this*

Paradoxical? raising an eye brow...hmm.you get more and more interesting with each word you write.
And the lovely little fact that you know about
Monty Python and the Holy Grail....
you scored big in that area, too.

 

[mbb308]

Paradoxical? raising an eye brow...hmm.you get more and more interesting with each word you write.
And the lovely little fact that you know about
Monty Python and the Holy Grail....
you scored big in that area, too.

"He must be king. He hasn't got shit all over him."

 

[mbb308]

What the Hell am I doing up at this hour? I've got work to do tomorrow.

Night, all.

 

[wildrose70]

What the Hell am I doing up at this hour? I've got work to do tomorrow.

Night, all.

Now dear that is the 64$ question....what are you doing...and you think I talk a lot...lol

Just wanted to say that anyone that takes pride in restoring older houses and helps to keep a piece of history alive and well...is tops in my book keep up the good work dear>>>

 

[mbb308]

Now dear that is the 64$ question....what are you doing...and you think I talk a lot...lol

Just wanted to say that anyone that takes pride in restoring older houses and helps to keep a piece of history alive and well...is tops in my book keep up the good work dear>>>

Thanks for the bump, Dear, and Congrats on 10K.

What a day - I'm pooped. I called to get the coffee covered tonight - shouldn't be a problem. I'm gonna crash early.

 

[wildrose70]

Thanks for the bump, Dear, and Congrats on 10K.

What a day - I'm pooped. I called to get the coffee covered tonight - shouldn't be a problem. I'm gonna crash early.

Anytime dear...and yes sometimes we need to re-charge the old batteries......I know it's Tues!!!! Oh and thanks again for the help getting there....you know you helped me along a lot!!!

 

[Arden]

Anytime dear...and yes sometimes we need to re-charge the old batteries......I know it's Tues!!!! Oh and thanks again for the help getting there....you know you helped me along a lot!!!

WOW Wildrose! 10,000 + posts!
Congrats...

 

[wildrose70]

WOW Wildrose! 10,000 + posts!
Congrats...

Thanks dear..it really means I'm a blabber mouth!!! but I enjoy it>>>>>

 

[mbb308]

Anytime dear...and yes sometimes we need to re-charge the old batteries......I know it's Tues!!!! Oh and thanks again for the help getting there....you know you helped me along a lot!!!

I know that you know the significance of Tuesday....are you trying to imply that I talk as much as you?....we know that it's true, don't we?

 

[wildrose70]

I know that you know the significance of Tuesday....are you trying to imply that I talk as much as you?....we know that it's true, don't we?

Yep I sure do...know....what???? I think you talk as much....well if memory serves....you sure have reached a much higher # since we started blabbing...haha

 

[Harmless Pig]

Great thread, mbb. I look forward to the pics, and your progress. I'm a carpenter specializing in restoring Victorian homes in Newburyport, Mass.

It is challenging, as I believe you said, but I couldn't dream of doing anything else. I love it.
-Pig

 

[mbb308]

Great thread, mbb. I look forward to the pics, and your progress. I'm a carpenter specializing in restoring Victorian homes in Newburyport, Mass.

It is challenging, as I believe you said, but I couldn't dream of doing anything else. I love it.
-Pig

I probably said something like that. I've been doing this long enough that I have a hard time of conceiving of something else. Sure beats flipping burgers at Wendy's.

Hope you stay busy. That seems to be the secret in this business.

 

[mbb308]

Day 1

The house in question, the subject matter here, was built about 1905. It is a frame two-story, built in the inner city rowhouse style on one of the few narrow lots in this neighborhood. It is about 2200 square feet - roughly 25'-6" wide and about 44' long. It has a huge, long hall down and up, with the staircase up the north wall - the house faces east. There is a two-story rear porch and a wide front porch. And it has seen better days. We suspect that it was last used as a rooming/crack house.

We were presented the house in gutted condition - the owners contracted the demolition people themselves. The interior trim and woodwork were left in place, as has been the method in the past. But, now there are lead paint concerns which must be addressed, so it has been decide to remove the trim. The windows and inside doors will be stripped by an abatement contrator, which is not part of our deal, either. The trim will be replaced with new wood in the old patterns to match what was removed.

We spent the day taking down the old trim and pulling nails. Whereas this is only moderately skilled work, it gives us a chance to be in the house and to study it more closely. We seem to fine-tune our plan of attack better this way.

We knew that pigeons have roosted in this house. We found a nest with a baby and an egg on top of a wall we were set to remove. We left it in the hopes that the mother bird will return and coax her fledgling to another living space.

 

[wildrose70]

Interesting first day dear...while the house next door to us...wasnt that old..and a rental sadly neglected...it was home to pigeons and also squirrel's...then someone finally bought it and the pigeons kept flying around when they put the new roof on...wondering WTF happened...their home was gone....keep the comments coming dear...I enjoy reading about your day....