Indholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2018 i Old House Journal

What people like about old houses is idiosyncrasy and surprise. How many children’s books feature the nooks and crannies of a Victorian house, or the dark dusty attic of forgotten treasures? (Okay, old houses are the backdrop for mystery and horror, too, but that’s not where I’m going today.) Old houses engage our imagination because they were built for life at a different time, when things like multiple fireplaces and servants’ stairs were assumed to be necessary. Old houses embody telltale signs of an era: The exuberant gingerbread on an 1880s Queen Anne celebrated an abundance of wood and the new industrial power to turn it into fretwork. Old houses become unique, too, as they age. The passage of time brings change, adds patina, and softens the edges. New houses…

1. SOFT LIGHT Jonathan P. Leck handcrafts pagoda-like Usubi lamps from ash, cherry, walnut, maple, or white oak, fitting each with rice paper or mica. A small lamp is 12" square and 14" high. A large lamp measures 16" x 18"; $400–$525. JP Leck Design, (612) 369-2752, jpleckdesign.com 2. INTERLOCKING KNOTS Reproduced from the maker’s museum collection, the Celtic vase comes in several colors as well as the pottery’s legendary iridescent glaze. Shown in Redwood, it measures between 8" and 9" tall. $135 ($270 iridescent). Pewabic, (313) 626-2000, pewabic.org 3. VELVET MORRIS Taken from a Henry Dearle carpet pattern, Montreal Velvet is from Purleigh Weaves, a compendium of upholsteryweight fabrics in the new Archive IV collection. It comes in three colorways, including forest and teal (shown). Sold through the trade.…

Planning to redo your kitchen? All those warnings about too many options and too little money are true. Still, advance planning and good design help you avoid going overboard and mitigate expensive surprises. We’ve gathered good intel from architects, kitchen designers, and cabinetmakers: read on! THE KITCHEN is the room most likely to be renovated by a new owner, it’s an expensive redo, and it’s a workroom that must function. Add the need for design compatibility if yours is a period home. Time spent planning and designing a kitchen pays off; in fact, you should make all your selections before construction begins. “Decide on everything beforehand,” counsels architectural designer David Heide. “Get out of your own way, don’t be in a hurry, because patience always pays off.” PREPLANNING Your house…

“We’d loved that our 1928 home was intact— with historic woodwork, arches, iron, and tile,” homeowner Kathy Moccio begins. She explains that a house fire in 2015 created a painful, disorienting loss. The roof and much of the second floor were consumed, and reconstruction was necessary due to water damage. “We looked for a design firm that understood the period and would know the artisans and products needed for the project.” Kathy and Vince chose David Heide Design Studio, initially based on previous projects that showed creativity and historical knowledge. But they credit David himself for shepherding them through the process. “He is compassionate, professional, and enthusiastic, and he gave us confidence” that the house would be true to period and yet updated for contemporary life. “As with many homes…

HOUR Fix a Leaky Ball Faucet To stop drips and leaks in a ball faucet, replace worn parts. Start by turning off the water and turning the faucet handle to the open position so it drains. Cover the sink drain with a cloth to protect the basin and prevent parts from going down the drain. (As you remove each part, set it down in order and take a picture as a record.) Lift the handle and pry off the small cap with a screwdriver covered in cloth to protect the fixture from damage. Remove the screw under the cap with an Allen wrench and take off the handle. Use pliers to unscrew the cap. Take out the cam, packing, and ball. Next, remove the washers and springs. Note how the…

There are towel warmers, and then there are towel radiators. Most warmers put out very little heat—only about 250 watts, or as much as a conventional light bulb. But Runtal’s hydronic Omnipanel units can generate up to 8,000 BTUs—enough to heat a sizeable bathroom. “They also have a large surface area,” says Runtal’s Owen Kantor, “so the heated towels feel just like they came out of the dryer.” Runtal’s flat-panel radiators are so cleanly designed that they virtually disappear into any setting. The units consist of flat tubes about 4" high x 2" deep, which are installed in groups horizontally along a baseboard or below a window. Specialty units can be curved to fit beneath a bow-front window or in an oval room. For spaces with minimal clearance, like a…

Having bought a historic apartment in New York City’s Greenwich Village, owners Alex Carl and Peter Campbell wanted to make it family-friendly yet preserve its vintage elements. The kitchen has up-to-date appliances set against very appropriate subway tiles, but both storage capacity and countertops were limited. The couple found a vintage dentist’s cabinet when they were traveling in France, and immediately saw potential. The rotating top would be another prep surface; banks of drawers were perfect for cutlery; casters meant the table could double as a movable bar or buffet. Now Thanksgiving turkey is carved at the Girator, which became the kitchen centerpiece and a conversation starter. the transformation 1. DISMANTLED & STRIPPED The antiques dealer in France had begun restoration of the cabinet by taking it apart to methodically…

Especially in the kitchen, marble is a high-maintenance material. Appropriate care will help avoid stains and the etching that causes dullness. Blot spills immediately with white paper towels or cloth (don’t wipe, blot). Flush with plain water and not too much mild soap and then rinse, and dry thoroughly. Daily, use a damp cloth (or mop) without a cleaner. When you need to clean deeper, use products formulated for marble. Do not use any cleaning product containing lemon or vinegar. Do not use scouring powder or cream. Avoid commercial rust removers (for laundry or toilet bowls) as they may contain trace levels of hydrofluoric acid, which attacks marble. Don’t use clean-and-shine products as they contain oil or wax. Avoid polishes that include acrylic or polyurethane. Never, never mix ammonia and…

OAK PARK IN APRIL Do you know about our Traditional Building Conferences? Aimed at design professionals (CE credits are offered), the highly educational seminars are of interest to serial restorers, contractors, and building managers as well. These intimate events are great for networking and sharing information. Conferences travel to hot spots around the country. The next one comes to Chicagoland April 24–25, with seminars held at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. (Conference hotel is the Carleton of Oak Park). The theme is Materials and Methods with an emphasis on windows and the building envelope. And of course there are tours! Oak Park has three historic districts, including the Frank Lloyd Wright/Prairie School district. (Note that previous sessions are available as webinars.) Also check back for information on the…

PHILADELPHIA, PA / $1,495,000 Built on historic Fitler Square in 1890, this three-storey Richardsonian Romanesque row house is decorated with round-top stone archways, ashlar stonework, and a parapet gable. Inside find Mercer tiles, an elaborate turned staircase, original hardware and mouldings. ST. LOUIS, MO / $895,000 An 1880 Second Empire townhouse hits all the high notes: masonry façade, slate mansard roof, paired entry doors. Inside, original mouldings are embellished with brackets, marble mantels, period gaslights. A Neoclassical cherub fountain and pond grace the garden. BROOKLYN, NY / $1,795,000 The smooth façade, pronounced cornice, and angular lines identify this ca. 1860 brownstone as Neo-Grec. Despite history as an SRO (single-roomoccupancy dwelling), period doors, staircase, plaster mouldings, and Rococo Revival mantels remain. ALEXANDRIA, VA / $699,000 An early survivor, this frame 1792…

1. DON’T forget the trash! Nothing ruins a beautiful kitchen redo like a garbage can sitting at the end of an island. Always plan for a pullout base cabinet that accommodates kitchen waste and by all means your recyclables. —Amy Mitchell 2. DO keep the backsplash simple if you’re inclined to keep stuff on the counter (or even if not). A plain backsplash actually gives a more historical appearance, and looks less cluttered than decorative tiles half visible behind the toaster and blender. —David Heide 3. DO create a hearth of some sort, especially in old houses. A stove niche or a big mantelshelf above the range mimic an actual hearth or the big vented stoves of Victorian kitchens. —Sandra Vitzthum 4. DON’T get carried away. Beadboard and tile, natural…

From classic and rich with patina to startlingly modern and highly polished, Art of Rain offers a wide selection of hood designs. Their work is made in America using traditional coppersmithing techniques; the company also works in stainless steel and brass. Shown is the ‘Camillia II’ range hood, a classic with bell-shaped curves. In copper with iron straps, it fits Arts & Crafts and rustic kitchens. The hood can be exhausted through the top or out the back. Pricing starts at $2,648. They also make metal awning roofs (for windows, doors, and oriels), parapet covers, downspouts, and chimney tops. Check the company’s website to see unique examples of functional sculpture, including a rain-powered musical downspout. Art of Rain, (360) 891-6540, artofrain.com…

UNIFORM ENERGY FACTOR A measure of the overall energy efficiency that takes into account the first hour rating (see below), capacity, and estimated energy cost savings. The higher the energy factor, the better. FIRST HOUR RATING (FHR) An estimate of the maximum volume of hot water in gallons that a storage water heater can supply within an hour once fully heated. GALLONS PER MINUTE (GPM) This refers to the amount of heated water (in gallons per minute) that can be supplied by an instantaneous water heater while maintaining a nominal temperature rise of 77°F during steady-state operation. RECOVERY EFFICIENCY How effi- ciently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water. resources • EcoSmart ecosmartus.com Point-of-use, whole-house, boosters, solar extenders • eheat eheat.com Envi slim-line electric wall heaters • Rheem…

OLD MEETS NEW Green tiles came from a salvage yard in Houston, Texas; paneling is oiled poplar. The painting is by contemporary folk artist John “Cornbread” Anderson. Half-hidden in the trees, the mountain cabin is called Ravenscroft. Owners Chas Fitzgerald and Jackson Hammack chose the name in homage to the raven—the secret keeper of wisdom in Cherokee lore—and for the Scottish “croft,” a small parcel of land. Chas has been infatuated with the Arts & Crafts movement since his childhood, when he spent summers sleeping in the eaves of his grandparents’ bungalow. Even then, he kept notebooks filled with his designs for houses, and he made miniature towns out of scrap wood (and sold them to friends). It’s no surprise that he finished architecture school and became a historic-restoration specialist,…

KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS DESIGNERS/CABINETS Crown Point Cabinetry crown-point.com Period-inspired custom cabinets in styles Shaker to modern David Heide Design Studio dhdstudio.com Full-service architecture & interior design services from an award-winning firm D. R. Dimes drdimes.com Furniture-quality kitchens with a specialty in early American design Amy Mitchell, Home Glow Design homeglowdesign.com New England interior decorator and color consultant Joanne Hurd, J.S. Hurd Design jshurddesign.com Certified kitchen & bath designer; also custom-designed rugs & tapestries in Arts & Crafts tradition Kennebec Company kennebec company.com Authentic period cabinets & kitchens, all custom Sandra Vitzthum Architect sandravitzthum.com Specializing in traditional & vernacular design p. 23 DESIGN/BUILD Fine Artist Made, Perry, ME: fineartistmade.com LAMINATE ‘Fleece’ Wilsonart wilsonart.com LIGHTING Rejuvenation rejuvenation.com HARDWARE Horton Brasses horton brasses.com Rejuvenation rejuvenation.com GLASS KNOBS Van Dyke’s Restorers vandykes.com p. 24 PAINT ‘Hancock Green’ HC-117 Benjamin Moore benjaminmoore.com p. 27 FLOORING Goodwin Heart Pine…

Q: I sanded, washed, and primed two beat-up hardwood floors using latex primer. Then I caulked the narrow cracks between boards and applied another coat of primer. Now the floors are sticky. I found out I may have used the wrong caulk. What if I now repaint the floors with Kilz acrylic deck paint and seal over it with water-based urethane? Or do I have to sand down the floors and start over? —Lynne E. Calvin, Harrisonville, Missouri A: What went wrong—and now what? The cause is a mystery. Using the wrong caulk is unlikely (acrylic caulk is compatible with latex paint) and in any case that would not make the entire floor sticky, but just make the paint crawl at the caulk seams. Maybe the floor was exceptionally dirty…

“I FIRST SAW THE HOUSE on a Thursday evening in 1998, and I signed the contract on Sunday,” says homeowner Judy Rosenstreich. She’d always admired the rare brick houses of the Vermont countryside, and she’d wanted an old house since coming to the state decades before. Located a short walk from the University of Vermont, this house is just a mile from downtown. Judy was instinctively drawn to the tidy American Foursquare, but she says she could not have predicted what its restoration would involve. The house had seen little remodeling, a good thing. Original woodwork had never been painted, an old tin ceiling in the kitchen was in perfect condition, wall plaster held tight to lath, wainscoting was original in the dining room, kitchen, and bath. Wideplank spruce floorboards…