The South's antebellum homes can provide ideal inspiration for your own lofty garden plans. Plan your visit with this guide to a handful of the region's most beautiful gardens. Old-House Journal January/February 2009
|
Purchase this issue |
Editor’s Note
Each February, when I attend the Arts & Crafts conference at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, I look around and wonder how I can share the experience with all of you. The antiques dealers, craftspeople, and lecturers provide an in-depth overview of everything the movement stood for, and always offer something interesting and new to learn. One year, I was mesmerized by a lecture on the many Gustav Stickley houses hiding in plain view across the country; another year, it was the tutorial on spotting faux Arts & Crafts pottery. In this issue, I’ve tried to pass along some of the nuances of this event. Jane Powell’s article on built-ins, for example, will tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know on the subject. A built-in beside a fireplace that stores wood and has an integrated pulley system to haul timber up from the basement may sound far-fetched, but I saw an example in a spectacular high-style Arts & Crafts house on a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, and it was really something. If your built-ins are missing hardware, you’re in luck—Jane also shares how to match long-lost pulls, knobs, and catches.
The Greene brothers—who built the iconic Gamble House—are covered, too. We take a look at what influenced their unique architectural perspective, and how they formed their remarkable style. For a fresh take on the Greenes (and one that shows their lasting impact), this month’s Insider looks at a house inspired by their designs. If you’ve ever dabbled in or fancied collecting Arts & Crafts pottery, furniture, or textiles, don’t miss our look at the subject through the eyes of a decades-long connoisseur. You just might learn a thing or two before you fork over the big bucks for that Grueby vase.
While we’ve rounded up a slew Arts & Crafts-related articles for our special look inside the house, we didn’t forget the nuts-and-bolts stories, either. Our article explaining fixes for common staircase problems will help you set that old-house feature straight. If your stairs have squeaks or stringer spread (and what old-house staircase doesn’t, eventually), you won’t want to miss this story. And if you’re getting ready to repair your porch or are mapping out a springtime fence project for the backyard, you should check out this month’s tool review on the cordless impact driver, which can help make those jobs go faster. Whether you’re looking to decorate your house’s interior, or tune up its many parts, we hope you’ll find something to inspire you in this month’s issue.
Demetra Aposporos, Editor-in-Chief of Old-House Journal
