plaster

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.

Paint. The easiest and most economical update, but also one of the most daunting. We could name each house by the primary color scheme it held when we purchased. Our small city townhouse, white. Our first suburban home, beige. Our second, gold. And this house, peach (see photographic evidence above).

While we are capable of painting (and in every other house painted the interior ourselves), this 1920’s plaster walled, wallpaper and peach infested space called for help from professionals.

Before World War II, homes in the United States were built with wood lath walls covered with 3 coats of plaster. This process resulted in walls approximately 1 inch thick (compared to the 1/2 inch dry wall of today) that are strong, sound dampening and an R value greater (insulation rating) than dry wall alone. Preserving and repairing the existing plaster not only maintains the historical significance and authenticity of the home, it is also environmentally responsible.

With that in mind, we hired a painter with the patience and willingness to strip the wallpaper and make the necessary repairs to the existing plaster. In the case of rooms with 50 year old wallpaper, the walls had sizable cracks and required a tremendous amount of time and attention. The finished product maintains the feel and quality of the construction, with a fresh and updated look.

This work, although time consuming can be done by any homeowner! If we endeavored on this ourselves we would just be finishing as the kids set off to college, so I am very happy we hired a painter. However, if you are brave enough to do it yourself below are two great articles on the process:

removing wallpaper

repairing cracked plaster

The work in process.