Innehållsförteckning för March/April 2023 från Old House Journal

RECENTLY I STUMBLED ON SOME NOTES, from 2008, for an essay on what old houses can teach us. (A question I’d asked my son, then 13 years old, who replied: “To wear slippers. You can get really bad splinters.” Our pretty fir floors were the same color as our golden retriever. Unlike the dog, however, the floors bite.) Some further thoughts: What an old house can do for you: • Save you from thinking that perfection exists. When you build new, you can plan every little thing. In renovation (or restoration), you adapt to the house; it was there before you. Doors aren’t always where you would have put them, and the corner fireplace tests your ability to arrange furniture. • Put you in touch with the seasons. An old house…

1. GRACEFULLY TALL In hand-hammered copper, the Elegant pitcher is the work of copper maestro Antonio Ziranda. It’s 12" tall and 5 ¼" wide at the widest point: $235. Free shipping. Susan Hebert Imports, (503) 819-4054, ecobre.com 2. COPPER IN RELIEF Shown in antique copper, bin pulls from the Florid Leaves collection are relief-chased with ginkgo-like leaves in the classic bin-pull shape. Also available in satin nickel and antique brass, they measure 41/8" wide x 1 ¾" high: $52.95 to $62.95. Notting Hill Decorative Hardware, (262) 248-8890, nottinghill-usa.com 3. FOR A DIVINE DIVAN Tweedy fabrics woven with metallic threads are oh-so Fifties and Sixties, especially in shades of rusty orange cream, burnt orange, and coral orange cream. These heavy-duty upholstery fabrics are 54" wide; $47 per yard. Fabric Bistro, (803)…

Founded in 1931, The Iron Shop is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that offers customizable metal-stair kits for interior and exterior use and for every configuration. With styles from Victorian to contemporary, staircases have the timeless look of cast iron, but are cast from aluminum for less weight, easier installation, and low maintenance. (Spiral stairs are also made in solid red oak.) • Shown is a customized stair installed in the client’s mountain lodge. Specs: 5' diameter, 13 treads; Crown Princess-style intermediate spindles (harp-shaped scrolls) and custom balcony railings. Rails are polished brass; treads are an openwork design. The stair has a powder-coat finish custom-matched to the room’s hunter-green trim color. The Iron Shop, (800) 523-7427, theironshop.com…

The kitchen in Evan and John Degenfelder’s 1948 postwar Ranch had been hard-used and neglected but the cabinets were sound. The plywood walls were not. After carefully removing the cabinets in preparation for new wiring and insulation, the Degenfelders set up a garage-size tent in the backyard and got to work. It took months to strip multiple layers of paint from every surface. Sanding followed, then a primer coat. Opting for a two-tone look reminiscent of classic cars of the era (also appearing in late-1940s kitchens), Evan painted two coats of Sherwin–Williams Shoji White on the boxes and Sherwin–Williams Slow Green on doors and drawer fronts. All but one of the cabinet pulls are original (soaked overnight to remove paint).…

Luckily, several manufacturers still make period laminate patterns from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, including classics like Boomerang and Cracked Ice—that favorite from Retro diners and dinette tables. • As with laminates, the pattern layer in a vinyl floor eventually wears away. The exception is vinyl composition tile (VCT), which has a pattern that goes completely through the material from top to bottom. Complicating matters is that many lines of vinyl tile were made using asbestos, which means they ultimately should be replaced following asbestos removal and disposal protocols. Good replacement options include newer, asbestos-free VCT, linoleum, and cork. Both cork and linoleum floors have been known to survive for a century with good care.…

Vacant for years except for feral cats, the 1890s house was a total wreck and I knew it. Still, it was the one and only bathroom that was almost a deal breaker for me. It was filthy, the ceiling was so low I could barely stand upright in the tub, and as the daughter of a contractor I worried that the cast-iron tub would crash through the bouncing, spongy floors. I was right to be worried. During renovation, we discovered the floor joists were mere 2x4s, not nearly enough to support the weight of that tub—and some had been cut to accommodate pipes! We beefed up the joists to 2x10s. Since all the plaster had failed, gutting the room made it possible to open the ceiling under the gable angles,…

Farmhouse Style, Modern Farmhouse, Farmhouse Kitchen. It’s everywhere—but what is it, exactly? Some of those designs would never, in 200 years, have been found in a farmhouse. Unlikely as it sounds, today’s “farmhouse” concept bounces between extremes that might be called industrial and primitive! In name and intention, the appeal of farmhouse must lie in its association with simplicity, function, nostalgia, such enduring materials as wood and stone, and an abundance of sunlight and fresh air. Farmhouse should be a budget-friendly look, too, embracing salvage and hand-me-downs. Yet we see Modern Farmhouse looks that could have been created only by an interior designer with a millionaire client. Anyone who has an actual rural (or once-rural) house, or even an old cottage, might prefer to start with good historical models: see…

WALLCOVERING ART The Victorian and Arts & Crafts revivals certainly embraced wallpaper, even as wallcoverings endured a kind of drought during the post-Modernist period. Every indication is that wallcoverings are back in vogue. The field has expanded with new ways of selling, manufacturing, and applying wallcoverings. Don’t take our word for it: a new, hardcover book tracks both history and current interest. Covering walls to add color, pattern, or texture is time-honored. Old technologies—such as block printing—are revered for the inherent artistry. New concepts including digital printing open possibilities of scale and colorway. Laura Mary Todd’s new book delivers surprises. Her perspective is architectural and international. Explore relief and texture, paper and fabric coverings. Learn how to use repetitive and layered pattern, neutrals, and artwork. Projects range from speakeasies to…

Don’t ignore the commonsense principles of Universal Design when renovating. UD benefits not only the disabled, but also children, tall and short people, and someone recuperating from surgery. Good lighting and a landing spot for hot food just out of the microwave are safer for all. Find a designer with ADA training or aging-in-place certification. Flooring should be slip-resistant and easy on the feet. Appliances and fixtures should be placed to minimize bending over. Rollouts and pullouts come in handy, as does one accessible sink, shallow and with knee space beneath (or elevated, if bending is a problem). Round any sharp edges. Use cup pulls and levers rather than small knobs.…

The charming Spanish Colonial Revival house in Long Beach, California, was built in 1930. Today’s owners were delighted to find, in their basement, original blueprints as well as carefully labeled skeleton keys for all the interior doors. The house is in excellent condition but had been rather spare in its embellishments. Continuing a renovation begun by the previous owners, the current owners have introduced appropriate pattern and color by tiling interior step risers, the fireplace, the kitchen, and a second bathroom downstairs. All the new work, by Native Tile & Ceramics, has historical precedent. (See those other rooms: search for La Porta Residence at nativetile.com.) Diana Mausser at Native Tile explains that the previous owners were also clients—her company had supplied the decorative tiles for this primary bathroom, too. These…

She began with 72 door kits, which turn any slab door into a Retro-style entry. She based her designs on real-life examples in St. Louis neighborhoods as well as online research. Her bestselling kits for entry, garage, and interior doors are hand-cut from clear Douglas fir; all glass inserts are made from tempered glass (a code requirement). She’s also added field and deco tiles and a Fifties replica laminate she trademarked SparkleLam. Shutters, fabrics, and home accessories round out the offerings. What’s most remarkable is that Susan Halla designed and makes everything herself. “I’m the everything. This is a one-person show… and this is the first time I’ve ’fessed up to that!” Her fanciful line of deco tiles coordinates perfectly in size and color to standard field tile made by…

Finding an antique, decorated sink basin, in perfect condition, at an affordable price, is almost impossible. So I decided to create one myself. Vintage bone china and earthenware wash bowls are available from plenty of sources online. From a dealer in Belgium, I ordered a beautiful basin with a teal-on-white transferware pattern. To create a center hole just the right size for a drain fitting, I would need to use a drill fitted with a hole saw. I was terrified that I would break the bowl, so I practiced on a $19 bowl that had arrived with a few cracks. After some trial and error, I was ready to work on my prize transferware bowl. Step 1 To find the center of the basin, place at least two strings across…

“It wasn’t the plumber’s fault… all he did was leave behind the used spray can. The mess started when I picked it up.” The old, cast-iron Y connection waste pipe in the corner of our basement was cracked during reconstruction of the previously hazardous basement stairs. It began to drip: gross! But the ground was already frozen so replacement had to wait. To temporarily seal the joints, our plumber used a damp-setting spray foam, which worked initially. Later, recklessly, I picked up the used can for a second application…. THE FIX Several fails and fixes show up in this story. It’s good to remember that work requiring digging outside can’t proceed after the ground freezes … still, in this case, it couldn’t have been predicted that stair work would lead…

Bungalow Palette colors from Heritage Tile are appropriate for a 1911 room; some were inspired by the era’s china and ceramics. Sizes include 3x6 subway tile and 4 ¼" square tiles. Search multiple period palettes at subwaytile.com The 1911 kitchen had four sinks, including one in the butler’s pantry and the “vegetable washer” next to the range. The largest is similar to this Traditional Farmhouse 5' Porcelain Kitchen Sink, $4,027.50, from Historic House Parts. historichouseparts.com The Franklin Restoration Bare Bulb 6-Light Chandelier from Innovations Lighting has a 26" diameter. Bulbs may face up or down. This line also offers single-bulb and three-bulb pendants, all in a nickel or chrome finish. Current price $431.20. innovationslighting. lightingnewyork.com In solid brass with a chrome finish, the Kingston Two Handle Wall Mount Kitchen Faucet…

cabinets Wood or metal, postwar cabinets may be candidates for reuse. They’re often well built, especially the steel cabinets that flooded the market post World War II. (Research by Pam Kueber of the archived website RetroRenovation.com turned up more than 90 brands.) Among the most desirable is the St. Charles brand (1935—1980s) found in the Struthers house. Sometimes a coat or two of paint and new hardware are all that’s needed. In other cases, decades-old cabinets may need extensive cleaning and stripping due to grease, smoke, and dirt embedded in multiple coats of paint. Roger Struthers says refurbishing their cabinets cost about $5,000 before installation. Stock cabinets typically start at about $12,000 for a small kitchen. appliances Mid-century ranges and the occasional refrigerator from brands like Westinghouse, GE, O’Keefe &…

1. NO BENDING Invented in 1913, Grampa’s Weed Puller really works! Position the two steel gripping prongs over the weed, press firmly into the ground, then step on the footpad lever. The weed comes right out. The wood handle is 39” long; $39.50. Garrett Wade, (800) 221-2942, garrettwade.com 2. CLEAN EDGES Permanently maintain neat edges for lawns, paths, and flowerbeds with EverEdge. Made in England of galvanized steel with integral stakes, each 39"-long section locks into the next. The edging material is available at 3", 4", and 5" depths. A five-pack kit: $79.95 to $114.95. Kinsman Company, (800) 733-4146, kinsmangarden.com 3. SAFER EXTENSION Invented by a master carpenter, Ladder-Lock is a conversion kit that greatly improves the stability of most 16' to 24' extension ladders. The device includes reinforcing arms…

This unique piece was sold by Architectural Accents in Atlanta, Georgia. The folks there don’t like to waste anything. (The store itself occupies the former Foremost Dairy Building.) An old pickup truck presented them with wood panels that had made up the bed—lumber with character and patina. This was reimagined as a butcher-block countertop set on top of a vintage pine buffet. More recycled and salvaged materials make up a brass baker’s rack handy for hanging utensils, pots, and pans. The result is an unusual and practical kitchen worktable. • Architectural Accents, Atlanta: architecturalaccents.com the right base The process began with selection of the base and legs. A vintage European buff et with decorative strapwork was chosen for this project. Always make sure a worktable base is stable. Tighten the…

The old farmhouse was dirty, derelict, and rambling, but this owner came to appreciate its vernacular roots. The mismatched house at first made him nervous, but Elliott came to embrace it. With poodles draped on furniture and geese honking outside, it’s a moment between past and present. Hubka’s book is particularly apropos, as it chronicles the evolution of the Walker Farm just down the road, in Kennebunk’s Alewife neighborhood. Like Elliott’s farmhouse, that property with attached dwelling and farm buildings evolved over many decades. In this region, snow piles high and the cold is bitter. The vernacular form allowed the main house to connect with a kitchen, stored firewood, livestock needing tending, and eventually sanitary facilities. Housebound families could get on with farm life. In northern New England, the homestead…

If H.H. Richardson and McKim, Mead & White hadn’t been their contemporaries, the prolific Boston architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns arguably would be more famous. It may also be that they designed fewer public buildings and many of those no longer stand. The partners are celebrated for their brilliant designs for residences and resort architecture—including Pierre Lorillard’s The Breakers, in Newport, Rhode Island, and, in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Kragsyde, the stunning seaside home of George Nixon Black, which was razed in 1929. Robert Swain Peabody (1845–1917) and John Goddard Stearns Jr. (1843–1917) were active partners in their firm for 45 years, securing over a thousand commissions. These ranged from libraries, town halls, and banks to hotels, yacht clubs, and country houses. They built 70 houses in Boston’s Back Bay alone. Their…

SUCCESS! QUEEN ANNE DESIGNER Arciform, Portland, OR: arciform.com WINDOWS/DOORS new Jeld-Wen jeld-wen.com PERIOD MILLWORK McCoy Millwork mccoymillwork.com CUSTOM CABINETRY Versatile Wood Products versatilewp.com through Arciform (above) KITCHEN SINK ‘Farmhouse’ fireclay apron Biscuit Whitehaus whitehauscollection.com KITCHEN FAUCET bridge Blanco through decorativefaucet.com LIGHTING Rejuvenation rejuvenation.com FINISHES walls Miller Paint millerpaint.com • floors OSMO Danish Polyx-Oil Finish osmocolorusa.com SHOWER SET ‘Sacramento’ Strom Plumbing by Sign of the Crab signofthecrab.com CLAWFOOT TUB Vintage Tub & Bath vintagetub.com CORNER TOILET ‘Sheffield’ Renvovator’s Supply rensup.com Related Resources GABLE TRUSS TimberBuild timberbuild.com Cedar gable trusses, brackets, rafter tails, corbels, porch parts HEX-TILE FLOORS Heritage Tile heritagetile.com Mosaic and hextile floors, plus subway, and other period-inspired tile designs FLAT-WEAVE RUGS Woodard & Greenstein woodardweave.com VICTORIAN TILE Clay Squared to Infinity claysquared.com Tile suitable for fireplace Dutch Tile dutchtile.com Authentic Dutch tile, made…