How is it that houses built 100 or even 200 years ago are still standing? Every day, I see things that amaze me. Instead of today's framing codes that dictate 16" on center for roof rafters, I see framing that is sometimes 3 feet on center. That is some seriously gappy spacing for roof … [Read more...]
Finding Art in the Imperfect
October 13, 2011 By ·
It’s typical that over the course of a century your bungalow or Victorian’s vintage heart pine floors have taken a world of abuse. Atlanta’s inner city neighborhoods went through a host of hard times: old houses were portioned off into rooming houses; floors were damaged by errant water: … [Read more...]
When Demo Discovery Can Drive Design
August 15, 2011 By ·
Demolition is almost always interesting. Unfortunately, for clients with old houses, it isn’t always interesting in a good way. In old bungalows and Victorians here in the South, if we tear out a plaster and lath wall, we risk discovering framing that has been the feast for termites and powder post … [Read more...]
Unexpectedly Salvaging
January 5, 2011 By ·
I relish putting antique materials back where they belong. Re-hanging mantels back onto raw brick openings in old houses; installing hundred year old medicine cabinets into the wall cavity of a bathroom, complete with imperfect beveled mirrors, the silvering flawed and interesting; or hanging … [Read more...]
An Ornate Mantel Can Be Literally Moving
August 19, 2010 By ·
When we started restoring our house, which is a Victorian/Craftsman bungalow hybrid, the sky was the limit as far as aesthetics go. The house had been mostly robbed of its architectural treasure and converted into a triplex. Several original mantels were long gone, the dining room stained glass … [Read more...]
Infuse Spaces with Warmth Using Salvaged House Parts
July 19, 2010 By ·
Several of my most enjoyable renovation projects were houses that were totally violated: everything worth anything ripped clean out of them. In fact, I live in one of those houses now so I’ll talk about this one. We bought this house after watching it sit vacant for 7 years--of course, that’s not … [Read more...]
Old House Interior Door Styles
June 3, 2010 By ·
Interior doors can provide a good bit of insight to the history and style of a home. Here in the Deep South, specifically Atlanta, we typically have six-panel heart of pine doors in our Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares: homes built during the late teens and into the early 1930s. Six … [Read more...]
Lettuce Grow Produce
May 28, 2010 By ·
So, aside from my tropical plants and myriad of perennials, we’re also growing edibles: strawberries, peaches, blueberries, Italian grapes, Simpson and butter crunch lettuce, arugula, three kinds of peppers, carrots, spring onions, cukes, basil, cilantro, lemon balm, eggplant, stevia (that’s an … [Read more...]
A Geyser In the Yard Presents Challenges
May 27, 2010 By ·
When we were at the lake house two weekends ago and the water pressure was less than stellar, I thought that something was afoot. Then, I ventured down into the basement to discover that at weekend’s end, my newly filled chemical tank (to get the Ph up to a neutral 7 in order to hit the iron … [Read more...]
Not Just for Salads: Vinegar Does Wonders for Wood Floors
May 21, 2010 By ·
If you mix pets, children, entertaining and simple day-to-day life with your beautiful wood floors, you know that what you get is floors that are less than pristine. I am speaking from experience as my 100 year old pine floors bear the brunt of the feet of many sub-contractors, my daughter’s garden … [Read more...]
