Renovation DIY and old-house restoration, traditional styles, period kitchens, historical decorating, period gardens, from colonial and Victorian through Arts & Crafts and Mid-century Modern: all from Old-House Journal magazine and special-interest titles Old-House Interiors, New Old House, and Early Homes.
Restoring architectural elements damaged over time requires ingenuity and labor but it isn’t necessarily difficult. Two recent projects—one pro, one DIY—show how perseverance brings wood ornamentation beautifully back to
useful life.
A look at how The Palmer Machine allowed construction of rock face blocks on-site, which improved the ease of construction and reduced transportation costs.
The charming house in Greene County, New York, has been faithfully restored: foundation and structure, exterior elements, and the trim inside. The new kitchen, still in the expected place at the back of the house, is now a family gathering space. Upstairs, a twin bedroom is a trip to fantasyland. Creativity and warmth run throughout.
A well-designed garage does more than stable automobiles. It may by its placement create a private courtyard. It can block noise or a neighbor, or add balance if it’s part of the house. Today’s garages are also storage units and potting sheds; they may accommodate a home office or guest suite. Because a garage is new construction requiring everything from permits to utilities, it’s worth taking time to design one that works now and for the future—say, when electric-vehicle charging stations are a common requirement.
Remarkably authentic, the interior of this 1886 house in St. Louis is
an effusive ode to all things Victorian. Now it serves as the ultimate backdrop to a lifetime collection.
Preservation of a
rustic yet majestic 1930 summer house in the Catskills’ Twilight Park involved updating systems from outside to save wood-clad walls.
Restoring architectural elements damaged over time requires ingenuity and labor but it isn’t necessarily difficult. Two recent projects—one pro, one DIY—show how perseverance brings wood ornamentation beautifully back to
useful life.
Lately, casement windows have been on my mind. No surprise: my 1913 Adirondack-style cottage has a dozen wood casements—and they all need work. Unlike double-hung sash windows that move up and down, casement windows swing outward, inward, or occasionally upward, turning on hinges attached to one edge of the frame.
