1920s colonial

A not so fine mess.

Published on January 16, 2021January 22, 2021 by branchville1923Leave a comment

With the demolition underway, so begins the mess and surprises. While an expected part of the adventure, one unanticipated find. . . pine cones.

Not just one or two, but hundreds. Squirreled (pun intended) beneath the 1950’s built in place cabinetry. While the Contractor assures us the furry friends have long since vacated, the evidence suggests otherwise.

The good news- walls are now sealed and debris removed, but I can’t help but wonder if the squatters will return.

Notable finds:

For the record, had we ever encountered the animals assembling this stash, I would have fled.

An original coal stove replace by an added fireplace in the 1950’s. Work to be done to bring this to code.

Hand scored plaster uncovered. Common in homes of this time period.

Original floors replaced with refinished oak in the 1990’s. Original still remained under cabinets.

Evidence of original window placement and clues as to the timeline of renovations.

Plaster under sheetrock, under more sheetrock. All now removed for a blank slate (and a little more headroom).

Next: More progress.

Shudder. Shutters.

Published on April 11, 2020 by branchville19232 Comments

In varying condition, the original shutters that adorned the front and dining room side of the house were removed prior to painting. As with the restoration of the Butler’s Pantry doors, our painter’s response to the question of stripping and painting them was, “It would be less expensive to replace them.”

Out of the question. If we have learned one thing in this process, it’s do your research. Builders, painters, and the local hardware store will always tell you to replace your windows, buy new shutters or get new doors and hardware. For a number of reasons house components 100 years ago are (almost) always better made than even the highest quality items purchased today). This includes wood siding, windows, doors, hardware and so much more. I will spare you the details in this post, but please reach out if you’d like to learn more.

Thanks to The Craftsman Blog, The Old House Guy Blog, and a number of other online resources, I learned a safe way to strip the numerous layers of paint and return the shutters to a condition where they can be painted and rehung.

Progress so far:

Covered in Dumond Smart Strip to safely encapsulate old paint.

Next: The outcome!

No flowers in this attic.

Published on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017 by branchville19235 Comments

During the initial projects (floor refinishing and painting), we inhabited the attic. Reactions to this arrangement ranged from surprise to disdain- the attic? A more accurate description- finished third floor. Complete with indoor/outdoor carpeting and a color scheme to match, three rooms and a bathroom comprise the space.

A small bedroom, nursery space and living room provided an apartment-like set up. Now that we’ve moved into the main and 2nd floor spaces, the attic is available for transformation.

How do we make this space airy and bright, warm and welcoming? The attic of the Serena and Lily flagship store in Westport pictured in Architectural Digest is dreamy. A guest room, craft/playroom and office with the same look and feel would be divine!

The less than sunny current state:

Paint samples- not quite right . . .

Up next: project plan and outcome!

Ring for service.

Published on March 8, 2017April 26, 2017 by branchville19236 Comments

In the center of the Dining Room floor, a small circle opening where a button once was. There are several of these around the house. The Living Room and Master Bedroom have the exact sized floor hole.

I asked every tradesperson and service provider who came to the house, no one knew. Our long time trusted electrician immediately said, bell system. In the early 1900’s an interior bell system was used to summon the domestic help. The buttons were attached to wires that culminated in a central spot where those waiting to serve would be dispatched.

We’ve traced the wires to the basement where the summer kitchen was once in full use. In searching for more information I uncovered a detailed paper on the topic from the Clemson University Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons. Sadly the buttons and panel were long ago removed, but the wiring is still in tact.

Try as I may, no one answers when I tap my foot over the spot, but it does make for interesting dinner conversation!

Pictured is the completed dining room. In the exact center of the room, an original electrical outlet and the hole where the button once was pushed to signal dinner service. Imagine the Butler waiting in the pantry . . . now back to reality!

Design and details:

This Dining Room room furniture has served us in every one of our homes. A tight squeeze in our townhouse, these chairs have been reupholstered more than a half dozen times. Come to think of it, time for a refresh!

The window treatments were in the Living Room when we purchased. The Dining Room windows happen to be the exact size of those in the Living Room. Good bye cornice, the dupioni silk panels looked like new after a professional cleaning. The clincher, thanks to a talented local seamstress, some amazing new trim and incredible hardware- these drapes have a new identity! Their “before” state and now.

Last, but certainly not least, we painted the hidden storage closet to be just that- hidden!

More completed rooms and interesting discoveries to come!

Simply original.

Published on January 14, 2017March 9, 2017 by branchville19232 Comments

The beauty of a home with few renovations over the years- in tact original details. As we move down our project list, we continue to find many well preserved 1920’s elements and hints of facets removed over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The home was built with two full bathrooms. One on the second floor the other on the third.

Both bathrooms include the original medicine cabinets.

One of two original clawfoot tubs is still in place (the other was removed from the second floor during a bathroom renovation in the 90s). This one, on the third floor is begging to be restored. More to come on this!

Two staircases provide access from the main floor to the second. The front staircase includes extensive millwork and wide steps- the back staircase, more simplistic for the staff (sadly the staff has gone the way of the butler) without lighting and stairs that are significantly taller with shorter treads.

Three original light fixtures are still intact and in use. The foyer, the butler’s pantry, and soon to be restored, the back porch light.

Original millwork, including picture rails, living room fireplace surround, as well as paneled doors (and knobs) are throughout. Solid hardwood, these elements are as they were when the house was built. The only change, white paint in the 1990s. The original picture of the fireplace shared by prior owners.

Bone Black BM CW-715

We’ve already looked at the floors, windows, butler’s pantry cabinets and hardware, but there are a few more original surprises to come- stay tuned.

A pantry without a butler.

Published on January 8, 2017February 28, 2017 by branchville192313 Comments

The doors rattle upon opening and closing. There must be glass beneath the paint and stenciled flowers. Seems strange to paint over glass. No, just old wood said the painter.

As it turns out there was glass beneath, gorgeous 1920’s wavy glass. One more coat of paint over those pantry doors and their original state would have been lost forever.

So began a labor of love. We had a fixed bid for painting therefore any extra projects belong to me or in this case a team effort shared with my fabulous friend and former house 3 neighbor (she volunteered- I swear). Using paint remover (be sure to use outside) and razor blades we scraped and scraped. And scraped.

With restored original hardware (thanks to my Dad), fresh paint (thanks to my Father-in-law), and some amazing period wallpaper selected by Molly Hirsch Interiors the roaring 20’s are back.

If only there was a butler to enjoy this.

The original state, process and finished product below:

Lots of original facets including sink, faucet, countertop, light fixture, cabinetry and hardware.

Hidden below years of paint- glass cabinet doors!

Original hardware polished and ready.

The cabinets are painted the same color as the Dining Room- Benjamin Moore Blue Note (more on paint colors here) and completed with a 1920’s archival print wallpaper Schumacher- Featherfest.

Next: original details.