Innehållsförteckning för Sep-18 från Old House Journal

1. COTTAGE LOOKS Board-and-batten shutters in Western red cedar are available in several shapes and configurations, including Z bracing and quarter arches. Boards are 1" thick and 3 ½" wide. $251 per pair and up. Cutouts, add $50 per pair. Shuttercraft, (203) 245-2608, shuttercraft.com 2. ENHANCED ROMANCE Custom-fit a historic window with louvered shutters. Options include a choice of six woods and wood composites, plus such period details as rabbeting and beading. Single shutters are a custom order. Small pair in unpainted Western red cedar $226.10. Timberlane, (800) 250-2221, timberlane.com 3. IN THE SHADE Push-out louvered shutters like this Bermuda style are a must for shade and storm protection in hot climates. The 2 ½" louvers are set at a 50-degree pitch, allowing both ventilation and open sight lines. Call…

JEWEL-LIKE VICTORIAN This revival room is patterned on an 1889 Aesthetic Movement original. Only the antique, marble-topped corner lavatory was already in the room. Embossed Anaglypta wallcovering, painted blue, adds to the highly finished effect. QUICK TIPS 1. Use white fixtures, revival style or no-style plain. 2. Choose brass or nickel fittings, not chrome or dark. 3. Embrace Victorian lighting fixtures. 4. Add a piece of antique furniture. 5. Go with wood or with white mosaic tile for the floor. 6. Decorate walls with wallpaper, Anaglypta, or a stenciled treatment. 7. Opt for a period-inspired window dressing. If your house dates to about 1900 or earlier, a Victorian-style bathroom is an appropriate option. It was during the height of the Victorian era that plumbing came indoors, first to the upper classes and in urban areas. That’s…

VICTORIAN REVIVED The blue and white bathroom is in an 1887 Queen Anne in Oak Park, Illinois. The radiator, white tile wainscot, bordered hex-tile floor, wall-hung marble sink, wood cabinet, and combination gas/electric sconces are period perfect. Fixtures are salvaged.…

The house on Cousins Island in Yarmouth, Maine, was built as a family getaway by a railroad tycoon named Sir Henry Thornton. “It was a wonderful project,” says Tina Rodda at Kitchen Cove Cabinetry, a design and build firm in Portland. “The owners love this house and wanted to honor its roots.” The new kitchen has a clean and balanced design that alludes to an old farmhouse without re-creating a period kitchen. What’s most stunning, though, is the well-handled use of salvaged architectural elements and materials. “When I was designing the space,” Rodda explains, “I gave the homeowner dimensions for the various places where we could, potentially, make use of salvaged doors or furniture. Then she scoured New England to find them!” The search was successful. The island is actually…

Besides a wish list, you’ll need a few simple tools when you shop for architectural salvage, especially for building components like doors or cabinets. Always carry a tape measure—an 8' steel tape like the ones carpenters use is a practical size—along with measurements for the areas you’re trying to fit. (This goes for auctions, too.) If you’re shopping for metal items, a magnet can help you determine if there’s any iron content under that peeling paint. (Magnets don’t stick to brass, bronze, tin, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, or aluminum.) If you want to incorporate salvage into an entire room or addition, bring your architectural drawings or room measurements, along with photographs.…

Their New York City apartment in a gracious, early 20th-century building is comfortable—but had no room for guests. Jim Francis and John Nalewaja closed off one end of the master suite to carve out a small bedroom. It had to be sealed enough to control air conditioning, but they didn’t want to block daylight. When they came across a pair of Victorian-era conservatory window panels lying in a heap outside a salvage yard, they saw an answer. The oversize 8' x 4' windows could be reconfigured as pocket doors, installed on two sides of the new room. (A second set of solid doors is used when the guest room is occupied.) STRIP AND CLEAN The old windows were covered with over a century’s worth of crusty and peeling paint, and…

What do you get when you cross a dismantled colonial-era house with a 1940s Colonial-style ranch, then throw in a 1970s addition? That’s not the setup for a joke, but rather a real-life puzzle—one that restoration expert and preservation consultant Charles Glasner was brought in to solve. Homeowner Victoria St. John Gilligan knew Glasner was up to the challenge: this would be the fourth project they’d worked on together in the past 20 years. • What exactly were they facing? “Parts and pieces” of a pre-1760 house had been reused in a house built ca. 1946. Ancient floorboards, window and door casings, ceiling beams, and fireplaces jostled with such 1940s-period details as V-groove paneling. The 1970s addition had added space but little in the way of style. Various “improvements” over…

Tovah Martin, whose garden we see on previous pages, has herself written many articles and books about gardening, including the poetic new book of essays The Garden in Every Sense and Season, with photos by Kindra Clineff. The following recommendations, arranged starting with the most recent published, are available through Amazon: THE GARDEN IN EVERY SENSE AND SEASON by Tovah Martin; Timber Press, 2018 Gardening advice is sprinkled amidst grateful explorations of sensory delight in the garden—not just visual, but also smell and sound, touch and taste. ELLEN SHIPMAN AND THE AMERICAN GARDEN by Judith B. Tankard; Univ of Georgia Press, 2018 A study of the foremost woman landscape architect during the first half of the 20th century, this biography plus landscape book shows Shipman’s gardens, which merged Colonial Revival…

PRIMARY SOURCES! When you’re looking for guidance on historic building materials, style, and decorating, nothing is more credible—or charming—than original sources: the manufacturers’ catalogs and advertising that date to your period of interest. The Building Technology Heritage Library, a free resource, is a treasure-trove of searchable, digitized trade catalogs. Search by year, topic, sub-collection, creator, or key words. • Mike Jackson, FAIA, who spearheaded the effort that began in 2010 by the Association for Preservation Technology in collaboration with the Internet Archive, has gone a step further in making the archive accessible, creating Pinterest boards by decade. See, for example: pinterest.com/opa1949/the-1910s-home-a-catalog-history. (Substitute 1920s, etc., as you like.) For the whole collection, go to archive.org/details/buildingtechnologyheritagelibrary…

THE PRIVATE BATH of Henry Clay Frick at Clayton in Pittsburgh was built into a turret added in 1897. It retains the high tile wainscot, original silver-plated fixtures, and nickel-plated plumbing. A leaded-glass dome serves as the skylit ceiling.…

Owners of collectible-quality but damaged porcelain-enamel fixtures may opt for a new, sprayed-on coating, a service often available through a local franchise. (Buy salvage in fine condition to avoid refinishing.) Refinishing in the home saves the effort of disconnecting and transporting the fixture, but it has limitations. If the piece is transported to a shop, it’ll be prepped by removal of drains and fittings; then soap scum, paint, and rust will be stripped away. The porcelain-enamel surface is acid-etched to help with adhesion of the new coating. Any scratches or dents are filled, and the fixture is sanded. A thin coat of epoxy primer comes next, followed after curing by the final finish (often an acrylic polyurethane enamel) in three or four coats. A refinished sink or tub needs careful…

Few weavers today are producing the fancy textiles of the 18th century. Notable among them is Rabbit Goody of Thistle Hill Weavers in Cherry Valley, New York. This one is a woven worsted wool finished with a damask pattern. “Using a period embossing process, we moireed the wool,” Goody explains. “We also weave damasks.” Enormous changes in textile production during the 18th century made it possible to create fancy-finish fabrics more economically. Presses enabled workers to make hundreds of yards of moire, harateen, and moreen for America’s grander houses. By the 19th century, fabrics could be pulled through huge metal cylinders and heated under pressure, glazing the surface to give linen, worsted wood, or cotton the shine of silk. Using antique and hand looms, Thistle Hill Weavers creates fabrics of…

Authentic, vintage plumbing fixtures are so popular that porcelain-enameled cast-iron sinks and tubs are increasingly sold in refurbished, near-mint condition—factory-condition resurfacing has already been done for you. Some sinks and tubs are offered as complete sets with refurbished, rebuilt, or even replated faucets, or with new period-look fittings. Sketch & Measure Besides a wish list, you’ll need a few simple tools when you shop for architectural salvage, especially for building components like doors or cabinets. Always carry a tape measure—an 8' steel tape like the ones carpenters use is a practical size—along with measurements for the areas you’re trying to fit. (This goes for auctions, too.) If you’re shopping for metal items, a magnet can help you determine if there’s any iron content under that peeling paint. (Magnets don’t stick…

One often-overlooked source of salvage: those sprawling, destination antiques fairs that take place two or three times a year, usually within easy driving distance of a major metropolitan area. Thousands of dealers offer every imaginable type of vintage goods and ephemera. Architectural treasures ranging from stained glass and historic lighting to 14'-long Edwardian bars with zinc countertops pop up amidst old wardrobes and decorative jelly jars. Since salvage is a hot trend with designers, architects and other pros, you should arrive early to take advantage of the best deals. (Bring cash.) “You have to get there exactly when the dealers you buy from open,” says interior designer Carisa Mahnken, a long-time shopper at Brimfield. Most of her client-project shopping is finished just an hour after she arrives. Three of the…

HOUR Tighten a Loose Doorknob If you’ve tightened the set screw and a glass knob is still loose, check both spindle and knob. If the knob “skips” or comes off when turned, spindle threads may be stripped. Unscrew both set screws and detach knobs. Buy a new spindle at a hardware store or order a kit. Choose a threaded and tapped spindle—most have 20 threads per inch (TPI); check yours. Also get 4–6 washers and new set screws. Screw a knob onto new spindle, tighten set screw. Add 1–2 washers to spindle at base of knob. Slide spindle into door opening. On other side of the door, slide 1–2 washers onto spindle and attach doorknob. Add or remove washers either side for a good fit, then tighten second set screw.…

Italianate styles reigned for half a century, during which Rococo, Renaissance Revival, and cottage furniture made their appearance. Creative ostentation, a joyous use of polychromy, and sinuous curves are always in order. The Italian styles are, despite the name, an American classic—the most popular building style for over a generation, throughout the country. Deep eaves and heavy brackets, hooded windows and round arches were rendered on houses simple or grand, built of wood or brick or brownstone. Houses fall into three basic categories: the Villas, Renaissance Revival, and Italianate. Villas were meant to evoke the farmhouses and manors of the Italian countryside. Most often used for public buildings and in urban settings, the more formal Renaissance Revival style is restrained and symmetrical. Italianate encompasses everything else. THESE STYLES represented 19th-century…

Architectural Antiques Exchange In our Philadelphia warehouse we offer a large selection of Architectural artifacts including reclaimed mantels,doors,stained glass,bars, counters, mirrors, lights,and woodwork from American Mansions and French chateaux. 215-922-3669, www.architecturalantiques.com Ecorad Experts in Restoration of Cast Iron Radiators Large inventory sized to your needs Service of restoration Unique paint removal process by water pressure Electric upgrade available 855-632-6723; www.ecoradusa.com Grampas Antique Kitchen Gardner, Ma. 01440 Antique and Vintage Farmhouse, Art Deco, Midcentury sinks. NO REFINISHED sinks here! Ships to North America. See us in Houzz.com and Retro Renovation for references. 978-302-4223; www.grampasantiquekitchen.com Architectural Antiques For over 40 years original & high-quality antique architectural elements from around the country. Deft merchandising of misfit, hip & functional objects giving new life to any environments. 612-332-8344; www.archantiques.com Erickson’s Antique Stoves Restoration, conversion,…

When Courtney and Donna Neff bought their 1881 Italianate in Brunswick, Maine, new bathrooms were on the renovation list. (See the related article beginning on p. 64.) They converted a small upstairs bedroom, which perhaps had once been a nursery, into a guest bathroom. They redesigned the master bath with a stepin shower. And they added a downstairs powder room. In each case, they opted for an unfussy approach with period details. The powder room, which is just behind the kitchen, has a tall beadboard wainscot by The Kennebec Company, echoing the oak aesthetic of the new-old kitchen by Kennebec. An antique, marble-topped cabinet provides a bit of storage. The new upstairs guest bath is lined with oak wainscoting salvaged from an old bank torn down in Leominster, Massachusetts, courtesy…

STUNNING On the back of a townhouse in Pittsburgh, this whimsical gingerbread porch replaced the original that was removed during the 1960s. Massive turned posts support an ornamented gable—all of it salvaged when an 1884 mansion was being demolished just down the street. I did not participate in the Dumpster-diving days of the 1970s, but over the years I’ve picked up my share of architectural treasures from salvage dealers, antiques shops, eBay, mega-flea markets, and even a curb or two. All of these sources remain great places to search for items that help restore character to a historic house. Since I bought my first one—a 1942 Cape Cod in North Carolina, where the first bit of salvage was a bottom-of-the-line Norge dishwasher picked up by my father—the salvage world has…

With effort and expertise, salvaged ranges and refrigerators can be returned to safe operating condition, either with minor touchups if the appliance is already in (power company-certified) working condition, or with a major overhaul if it’s been sitting in someone’s garage. (Note that the cost of a full restoration is usually several times the cost of an unrestored appliance.) It’s essential that all wiring, power connections, thermostats, and pilot lights are brought up to code and properly calibrated. A good restorer (see Resources, p. 102) will take apart gas valves and thermostats on a range, or compressors and condenser coils on a fridge, then clean, inspect, and reassemble or replace the parts. Interior elements including door gaskets, wall panels, and door liners can be updated or replaced with custom elements.…

1. A DEMOLITION ESSENTIAL NIOSH-approved with the highest possible filter rating, the 3M P100 Demolition Respirator filters out 99.9% of particulates—including lead—produced during construction. The mask has a Cool Flow exhalation valve, seals well, and the side cartridges (included) improve visibility. $29.99. Northern Tool, (800) 221-0516, northerntool.com 2. CARBON SHARP Designed for scoring paint or building materials, the new Pro Utility retractable utility knife has a CarbonMax coating that keeps the blade sharp up to 24 times longer than other blades. The knife stores five blades and it hinges open for changes. $19.95. Fiskars, (866) 348-5661, fiskars.com 3. B.A.S.H. IT With a steel bar-reinforced handle and a steel plate that locks the head to the handle, the B.A.S.H. Unbreakable Handle sledgehammer comes in lengths from 12" to 36". Head weights…

The TUSCAN VILLA has a foursquare footprint and cubic massing. Its hipped roof is topped with a square cupola called a belvedere. Unendingly picturesque, the noble ITALIAN VILLA is asymmetrically (usually) anchored by a square tower called a campanile. Note quoins at the corners. ITALIANATE describes houses with a combination of Renaissance shapes and details rendered in simplified, or occasionally exaggerated, fashion.…

SUCCULENTS and other houseplants are brought outdoors for summer recess. Echeverias are in the mini urns beside a harvest of dried flowers and local apples. Elsewhere, sedums of all types send pollinators into a feeding frenzy; expectant bees pay court to sedum flowers even before the blossoms fully open. fall is the fastest moving season. Early September often looks a lot like summer, but the whole scene begins to blush and blaze just a few weeks later. One day your spirea is a washed-out green, the next day it turns toward coppery red. It’s on fire for a week—and then the foliage strips itself overnight, leaving the skeleton of a naked shrub. If you fail to keep your eyes open, you’ll miss a riveting pageant. When the last leaf has…

DESIGN BATHS p. 23 design Rynerson-O’Brien Architecture, Oakland, CA: rynersonobrien.com • bathtub Kohler kohler.com pp. 26–7 OAK VANITY‘antique TILE FLOOR Distinctive Tile and Design distinctivetileand design.com FLOORING reclaimed maple Portland Architectural Salvage portland salvage.com PEDESTAL SINK Kohler kohler.com ceiling lights The Lamp Repair Shop, Portland: lamprepairshop.com WALL LIGHTS Portland Architectural Salvage portland salvage.com paint ‘Rainwashed’ and ‘Conservative Grey’ Sherwin-Williams sherwin-williams.com SMALL PEDESTAL SINK Porcher porcher-us.com p. 28 Candace Wheeler-design ‘Carp’ wallpaper adaptation J.R. Burrows burrows.com • De Morgan fish tile no longer in production p. 29 papers similar to stencils see Neo Grec roomset and Morris Tradition ‘Kensington’ ceiling Bradbury & Bradbury bradbury.com Related Resources CABINETS/VANITIES Crown Point Cabinetry crown-point.com Quality custom cabinetry in traditional styles Gregory Paolini Design gpdwoodshop.com Custom cabinets in classic, rustic, Arts & Crafts styles The Kennebec Company, kennebec company.com Period-authentic cabinets NR Hiller Design nrhillerdesign.com Period-authentic cabinetry in custom designs BATH…