Indholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2020 i Old House Journal

1. BEAUTIFULLY SCALED Shown in rich shades of green and blue, Peacock tiles are from a line of hand-cut shapes that include zigzags, stars and hexes, and Arabesque-shaped Persian tiles. They’re available in 2.5" x 2.25" and 3.75" x 3.25" sizes. $63 per sq. ft. Clay Squared to Infinity, (612) 781-6409, claysquared.com 2. SHADES OF GREEN The hand-pressed, matte-glazed tiles made to order for a custom fireplace installation are accented by 6" x 6" decorative pinecone and bachelor’sbutton tiles. Accent tiles: $46 each. Field tiles: $5 to $15 each. Carreaux du Nord, (920) 553-5303, carreauxdunord.com 3. KALEIDOSCOPIC So popular the first batch sold out in days, the 4" x 4" hex paperweight is inspired by founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton’s hexagonal glaze tests. Each high-fired stoneware weight is handpressed and…

An architect in her native Italy, Brooklyn-based Deborah Mariotti has worked as an interior designer since moving to the U.S. in 2005. On this project, a 19th-century brownstone in a historic district, she collaborated with clients raised in northern Europe. “We share the preference for preservation, and also the delight in juxtaposition,” Mariotti says. “I would never delete history that has survived. In Italy we have so many historic buildings, but we are used to integrating contemporary design with the old. The dialog between new and old is always interesting.” To a great extent, the house was a time capsule. The previous owners—for about 40 years—had taken very good care of it, but lacked the funds to upgrade or renovate. Some major repairs were needed, and systems had to be…

A stunning example of Prairie School architecture, the 1910 E.L. Powers House was one of the first commissions by the renowned partnership of William Purcell and George Elmslie. Generally well preserved, the house represents an architectural heritage. As is so often the case in older houses, the kitchen had been modified in opposition to pedigree. It was problematic from the aesthetic, functional, and historical standpoints. The client asked David Heide Design Studio of Minneapolis to redesign the space—while adhering to the principles of historic preservation. Project architect Brad Belka and his team carefully considered the historical context of the building, its Prairie aesthetic, and its particular details. Their design addresses the functional program while remaining respectful to the house and the architectural movement it represents. The kitchen is not a…

Windows in older houses aren’t as leaky as replacement window manufacturers would have you believe. Still, installing exterior or interior window inserts may result in increased comfort and energy savings, averaging between 15 and 23 percent of energy costs. Better yet, these “supplementary” windows usually sell for one-third to one-half that of high-quality replacement windows—without sacrificing the original sashes or casements. Exterior storm windows improve thermal performance and help make existing windows more airtight. They also reduce drafts from convection currents and provide some protection from the weather for the existing window. The downside has always been that they cover up the old, historic window. Mon-Ray and Allied Window, two companies that work on historic sites and houses, have come up with ingenious ways to disguise the appearance of an…

Remodeled by the previous owners, the claustrophobic room was fitted with cheap brown cabinets, very shiny blackgranite counters, slate flooring, and—incongruously—baby-blue walls. Marisa knew she would want to redo it. When she contacted Seattle interior designer Sheila Mayden, the two decided to begin with a small, manageable project: creating a brand-new, three-quarters guest bath for the family room on the basement level. All went smoothly, so, the following year, Marisa felt ready to tackle the kitchen. By now homeowner and designer had a great working relationship; Sheila knew that Marisa liked strong color and lots of detail. Wisely, Marisa did not want to enlarge the kitchen, as that would have affected the adjacent dining room. Staying within the original footprint would also help preserve the essence of the early-20th-century house.…

SUCCESS! Indiana Landmarks, Southern Regional Office, New Albany, IN: indianalandmarks.org ARCHITECT Ronald Stiller AIA, RCS + Associates, Floyds Knobs, IN: (812) 923-1019 GENERAL CONTRACTOR Garrett’s Construction, Louisville, KY, area: (502) 657-8199 WOODWORK RECONSTRUCTION Werncke Construction, Greenville, IN: wernckeconstruction.com GLASS RESTORATION Kaleidoscope Stained Glass, Georgetown, IN: (812) 951-2328 • Rhonda Deeg, RLD Glass Art & Restoration (812) 292-6334, preservationrho.wixsite.com/rld-glass-art FAUX GRAINING Mary Margaret Trinkle, Monarch Studio, New Albany, IN: (502) 759-0099 Related Resources VICTORIAN LIGHTING House of Antique Hardware houseofantiquehardware.com Vintage Hardware & Lighting vintagehardware.com ADA-COMPLIANT FIXTURES Mark E. Industries goofproofshowers.com Shower installation products WOODWORK REFINISHING Howard Products howardproducts.com Wood & furniture restoration & finishing products JUXTAPOSITION INTERIOR DESIGNER Deborah Mariotti, Brooklyn, NY: mariottistudio.com CONTRACTOR Lee Manners, LMA Group, New York, NY: lmagroupinc.com LIGHTING DESIGNER Renee Joosteen, ICRAVE Lighting, NYC: icrave.com ARCHITECT Linda Yowell…

Restoration 101 Surely OHJ readers are the natural audience for this book, which shares our preservation approach. It posits that saving such character-defining features as windows and rooflines, mouldings and woodwork should be a given, even as we renovate for energy efficiency, comfort, and modern life. The book is part Vintage Houses by Hewitt and Bock, part McAlester’s Field Guide, and several parts early Old-House Journal, with a credible amount of true grit in the mix. A lot of information goes into 712 pages! Hanson, a preservation consultant who has restored his own historic house, covers a wide range of projects and house styles, always explaining the why-to along with the how-to. It’s not a picture book; photos are abundant but small and always there to serve a point made…

Every authentic fixture in the house was preserved—changing out the good work of the past was not an option. Because the house is large, it was even possible to retain some aspects that might be considered anachronistic in a smaller house. For example, the family elected to preserve an upstairs bathroom with an eye-catching marble sink and the original clawfoot bathtub. In this room, wood wainscoting and antique or reproduction light fixtures were chosen to extend the existing period look. Elsewhere, new tile floors, practical and subtly decorative, flow into a history that includes English encaustics in the vestibule, without directly copying them. The most playful items—a Delft-tile wallpaper in the new powder room, unusual chandeliers, and of course personal furniture—are easily changed in the future. permanence vs. ephemera “Both…

Ceiling fans and old houses are meant for each other. We just rediscovered this Victorian Revival fan, a limitededition offering from Hunter. The 60" model ‘1886’ is rated for indoor spaces, with pull chains and basswood blades in a distressed dark-cherry finish and a quiet, reversible three-speed motor. An intricate filigree design graces the sand-cast housing. See also their Victorian-style ‘Promenade’ fan. • The Hunter ‘Original’ is the iconic design popular for decades. Other styles are suitable for bungalows, Art Deco rooms, mid-century ranches, or minimalists. Find many options in number of blades, colors and finishes, profile, size, and lighting; fans are sold for indoor, damp, or wet conditions. Hunter Fan Co. (888) 830-1326, hunterfan.com…

A newer wrinkle in plumbing protection are water monitors that can alert you by smartphone if a major leak is in progress. StreamLabs’ Smart Home water monitor, for instance, mounts on the main water line and uses ultrasonic technology to detect leaks. It installs on copper, PEX, or PVC piping in just a few minutes, no plumbing skills required. The monitor, which retails for under $200, works best when paired with a more expensive control unit ($599) that will automatically shut off water valves should the pipes spring a leak. • Another highly rated monitor, FLO from Moen, claims it can sense leaks as small as one drop per minute. FLO will also monitor daily water usage and allow you to set conservation goals (the most detailed data requires a…

When Lisa Harris was restoring her modest 1940 Spanish Colonial Revival home in Tucson, not many original details were left to save. The built-in phone niche, however, was intact. Its location, wedged in a narrow hallway between bedrooms, was inconvenient. So, after restoration, the niche was relocated to the living room, where it adds a period touch. Telephone cabinets were sold as a simple niche with a shelf, as a cabinet, or even as an assemblage with a fold-down seat. Thanks to architect Jeffrey Lees, whose blog shows more phoneniche makeovers: jeffreyleesarchitect.com…

Old houses often have pocket doors between main rooms, as a way of opening the space or creating privacy. They fell out of favor in part because of their reputation for sticking or jumping the track. New pocket-door kits have a smooth roller operation, and the ready-made frames make installation easier. Today we’re more likely to install them in such tight or small spaces as a bathroom or pantry, where the arc of a door swing would be awkward. With some TLC, a salvaged door (or one original to the house) can be rehung to slide into a pocket. STEP-BY-STEP STEP 1 Prep the rough opening for the frame. You need room for the door to slide inside the wall, without obstructions such as plumbing, wiring, or ductwork. The opening…

Even after the renovation, the house is only about 2,000 square feet. But the owner has 3,700 books! Look closely and you’ll see them—not only on built-in bookcases, but also tucked into nooks carved out of the walls. Once a professional bookseller, Jane Ackerman takes her collection very seriously. “There are bookcases in every room of the house, including the bathrooms,” she says. Volumes are arranged room by room, by genre: fiction (alphabetized by author) in the living room, biography in the master bedroom, children’s books in the guest room, gardening in the back hall, and so forth. “I put them all in a database because I would think I had a certain book, but then I couldn’t put my hands on it. It was driving me nuts.” Finding space…

1. GET INSPIRED Before making any decisions, take the time to really look through books and magazines, and online at Pinterest, Houzz, and other design sites. Keep a notebook of favorites; it will help you and your designer. 2. PLAY WITH SPACE Analyze the room carefully, right down to the square inch, to maximize storage and to consider every element and detail. 3. RESEARCH APPLIANCES Read about your options and know all the specifications; choose wisely, as quality pays off. Do choose one focal point; this homeowner’s LaCanche range became the center of the kitchen. 4. GO FOR CUSTOM CABINETS If your budget allows, invest in custom cabinets for a handcrafted, personalized look. You can also mix a custom piece or two with semi-custom cabinets. 5. ADD BLING Your kitchen…

1. AN OZONE SANITIZER Eliminate germs and pathogens with the power of aqueous ozone. Fill the Sanitizing Spray Bottle with water, and the patented diamond electrolytic cell inside converts oxygen molecules into ozone (O3), which, when sprayed, destroys up to 99% of harmful bacteria. $199. O3 Waterworks, (978) 233-4840, O3waterworks.com 2. CORKER OF A FLOOR Because linoleum is composed of cork and other natural materials, Marmoleum Click Cinch Lok planks are naturally hygienic. The tiles also have a soundabsorbent cork backing and come in 23 colors and three sizes for endless design versatility. $4.79 to $5.79 per sq. ft. Forbo, (800) 842-7839, forbo.com 3. GOOD HYGIENE The Descanso pull-down faucet with knurled lever is shown in burnished brass, which like copper and bronze has antimicrobial properties. It’s accompanied by coordinating…

The Hoosier’s heyday was ca. 1910 to 1940, when housewives rather than servants used the kitchen, but before builtin cabinets and counters became standard. Like the first one made by Sellers in 1898, most Hoosier cabinets came from companies in Indiana. With a flour bin and a pull-out enameled countertop, the freestanding workstation was practical. Some were paint-decorated. The kitchen depicted may have a linoleum floor, but this Spanish Mission tile in a star and hex pattern would be the highlight of a 1920s kitchen. Three tile sizes available in all of the company’s field colors (this is Blueberry). Clay Squared to Infinity, claysquared.com American Country Home offers this version of a Hoosier in many colors and finishes. The two-piece cabinet of Eastern white pine has a pull-out board. As…

1. DISINFECTING FAN Just introduced, the Haiku UV-C ceiling fan uses upward-directed ultraviolet light to eliminate up to 99.9 percent of airborne pathogens, even as it helps cool the house. In 10 finish options, indoor or outdoor, and sizes from 52" to 84" dia. $1,744 and up. Big Ass Fans, (877) 244-3267, bigassfans.com 2. EASIER WINDOW SCREENS These affordable screens have a flexible frame that makes them easy to install and remove. Available up to 55" wide x 80" tall, for windows with or without screen tracks. Screen-mesh options include high-visibility and pet-resistant. Priced $49.95 –$74.95. Flexscreen, (724) 519-8675, flexscreen.com 3. ANTIMICROBIAL COATINGS Made in Italy and new to the U.S., this waterbased, VOC-free thermal paint is intended for potentially wet areas where mold can occur. Bisaten Thermal Paint &…

In catalogs from Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward, telephone cabinets and niches were advertised as “beautiful, convenient and ready to install with all hardware supplied”… “a built-in to save time and annoyance by keeping the instrument and its cords out of the way and off the floor.” Telephone cabinets were frequently tucked into the entry hall, near or beneath the staircase. Made to be recessed into the wall between the studs, cabinets were shipped unfinished in oak (priced around $6.75) or fir (about $4.50). Pine cabinets usually were meant to be painted. Cabinet backs were made of plywood.…

Pocket-door kits are for doors 1 ⅛" to 1 ¾" thick. Modern track systems are made of aluminum—lightweight and stable. Wheel assemblies in the hanger roll on nylon wheels with ball bearings for smooth, quiet operation. A bumper at the rear of the frame keeps the door from sliding too far into the wall. Floor anchors keep it from rattling and maintain proper distance between split jambs. Check that the kit's header is the right size for supporting the weight of the door. Supported weight can range from 75 to 175 pounds. Look for removable roller tracks that are jump-proof. The nylon wheels should be at least 1" or larger, and self-leveling. Look for four wheels per hanger; three-wheel systems are less stable. You need two flush pulls and a…

Most keyed cabinet locks were made by either Yale & Towne or by Eagle Lock, writes Lauren Slaughter of Village Salvage, a family-owned specialist in antique hardware and house locks in Waynesville, Ohio. (villagesalvage.com) To open or close the door with such a lock, the key must first release the deadbolt. The key itself often serves as the handle you use to pull the door open—a reason never to remove the key! Some door locks are both makermarked and carry a model number, Slaughter tells us. (Others carry only a number, or the brand name.) In such cases, an antique hardware specialist or salvage dealer can help you find the exact lock you need. (A quick search on Google for the number found on this lock turned up a close…

TAKING THE PLACE of local classified ads: Facebook Marketplace, where you can find a revolving inventory of everything from free cast-offs to the occasional treasure—locally. Pick it up and save on freight cost. You might find a bargain, like an antique, mahogany display case with glass doors for $90, sold fast and cheap because the family was moving across country. In a recent visit, ‘Today’s Picks” included a 1959 Corvette, an active bee hive, window sash from a demolished farmhouse, and a Limbert sideboard. Find your location at FacebookMarketplace.com, then filter by distance from your town, price range, and category. Other sources, tried and true, include salvage yards and antiques emporia, ebay, nonprofit architectural recycling centers, big flea markets, and even yard sales. Salvage dealers often arrange finds by type:…