DO I HAVE A KIT HOUSE?
“Is it true that you could once buy a house from a catalogue?” “Do I have a kit house?” “How can I identify which house I have?” During my years as a historic preservation advocate, at event after event, I think that these are the questions I have been asked the most...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEOS- Historic Kit Houses
Historic kit houses hold an intense interest for old house lovers. The very idea introduces the possibility of getting so many questions about the origins of our homes answered. We all burn with curiosity to know: Who built it? Who designed it? When? The fact that...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEOS- American Art Pottery
Few things are more at home in a bungalow than American art pottery. Its bright colors & luster bring cheer & light to a dark interior & add details that complement the simple lines of the more rustic Arts & Crafts furniture & Craftsman...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEOS- Why Ben Moore Paint is Best for an Old House
I think Ben Moore paint is best for an old house based on my experience & based on the recommendation of the most amazing painter I have ever known. We both swear by their quality. Just brushing it on is creamy & luxurious. Its velvety texture beautifully...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEOS- Inside a Historic Bungalow
Character is defined as all the qualities & features that make a person, groups of people, & places different from all others. In architecture, a character defining feature is any element, including the overall shape of the building, its materials,...
OLD HOUSE RESTORATION VIDEO- I love historic linoleum.
What's not to love about historic linoleum? It is made from flax. My favorite fabric, made from the same plant, Linum usitatissimun, is linen, cool & elegant. And expensive. I'm always a fan of expensive. Another ingredient of lino, pine resin takes me back to my...
ARTS & CRAFTS LIGHTING- Introduction
BUNGALOW LIGHTING DESIGN BASICS This article will cover residential illumination, with emphasis on bungalow lighting design basics. We're going to look at types of lighting, as they could be applied to your unique home. Many years ago, I did a survey of homeowners,...
THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL WOOD FLOOR SANDER/FINISHER
Why would you hire a pro? It’s expensive. It’s a pain in the #@& to have strangers roaming about your house. Maybe they won’t do an good job. Here’s why I think hiring a professional wood floor sander/finisher is a dang good idea. (From my experience as an old...
ARTS & CRAFTS LIGHTING, Part 1
OUT OF THE DARKNESS The desire for lighting is in our DNA. Our circadian rhythms, our bodies’ clocks, determine the patterns of our bodies, our minds & behavior over a 24 hour cycle & respond to light & dark. Light exposure generates signals from our...
ARTS & CRAFTS LIGHTING, Part 2
THE CRAFTSMAN MAGAZINE LIGHTING ARTICLE We move into a new house, even an old house that's new to us, & the electrical is just there, be it knob & tube, or an updated system. It wasn't always this way! Part 1 explains how we got from stumbling around in a dark...