the blog
“Repair or Replace Old Windows: A Visual Look at the Impacts” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic windows are an important character-defining feature of old houses. For me, as a preservationist, that alone is enough reason to go to the mat. But there’s more to the story. Preserving historic windows is a […]
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You never know what you’ll find behind wall paneling, under carpets, or in the basement after a hard rain. I always encourage owners to take their time in the planning stages and try to anticipate as many decisions as possible because, lord knows, old-house rehab projects are a roller coaster ride once they get started. […]
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If you haven’t heard about historic rehabilitation tax credits, you’re in for a treat. In a nutshell, it’s a big way the government incentivizes the preservation and adaptive reuse of old buildings. This topic fits in with other posts I’ve written about the National Register of Historic Places because, to qualify for historic tax credits, […]
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Old buildings tell stories…we just need to understand how to read them. How many times have you scratched your head, wondering where the original fireplace was, why a previous owner sealed up that door, or how a pair of men’s boxer shorts ended up behind the wall? Some mysteries will never be solved, but we […]
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Over at CIRCA Old Houses, I just posted a blog answering the question, what is the National Register of Historic Places? In a nutshell, the National Register is the official inventory of historic properties in the United States. It carries various rules and benefits that I look forward to exploring in future posts here and […]
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Friend and colleague Tina Reichenbach of Richbrook Conservation offers the following advice about choosing the right paint for historic exteriors: Far more important than paint color is the type of paint used for painting exterior woodwork, especially for the preservation of old or heritage properties. Evidence from the past 50 years or more since […]
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Choosing a color scheme for your historic home can be overwhelming. So many options with evocative names like “Jamestown Blue” and “Rookwood Red”… And painting an entire exterior – or even just the front porch – can be a significant investment. Is there even such a thing as “the right” colors for a specific architectural […]
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How do you rehabilitate an old house? That’s a big topic. Every house is different; each has its own rules and, shall we say, quirks? In response to careful attention and patience, old houses reveal what they need. The real question is, where do you even start? The best beginner’s references for all things historic […]
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I often get songs stuck in my head. You, too??? One day, while working in my garden, the song was Pink Martini’s “Hang On Little Tomato.” (If you don’t know it, please look it up! It will make you smile.) So, I decided to make a little video about pruning tomatoes. Wait, isn’t this a […]
