2024 Year End Review. The House.
2023 proved unexpected. And I mean 2023 and not 2024.
2023 began with finishing the library. It turned out great. I mean, really great. Then, in April, I was hit with a Violation Notice from the city regarding the dilapidated condition of the Carriage House exterior. And there went all my plans for the rest of the year, as satisfying the Notice carried through to the end of December.
As 2024 began, I promised to focus on finishing the interior of the Carriage House, so I could get the damn place rented.
The year is now almost over and did I honor my promise?
Nope.
For, you see, two things had been tugging at me for years:
- Finish the cat fence.
- Repair damage being done to the siding of the Cross House tower.
Ignoring #2 was just making the damage ever worse. I had to attend to this. So, in May, I yet again abandoned the Carriage House and only resumed work during the last few weeks.
In short, as with 2023, 2024 did not go as expected.
After a frenzy of relocating door and windows, the new entry of the Carrige House at the end of 2023.
February 2024!
Small thrills: restored transom window in South Bedroom of Carriage House.
Repairing ancient roof leak at Carriage House. Thanks Godsend Eric.
The cat fence resumed work! Thanks Godsend Eric.
I. Am. Thrilled.
Turret Bathroom floor in Carriage House. This was immediately covered with paper and I have not seen it since.
A shower in the turret bathroom!
The plaster in the stairwell had long been damaged.
But no longer!
CROSS HOUSE
Owning a huge wooden thing left out in the rain means endless upkeep. And see the popping lapsiding? That is/was bad.
More upkeep.
Paint failing on wide curved stained-glass window. This was pristine in 2014.
Sash removed. It is now back in place and lookin’ good. For now.
This was the lapsiding issue.
After. Ta-da!
More than just paint was required.
Upkeep.
This column base was pristine in 2014. Upkeep, STAT!
New base. A massive amount of sleuthing was expended to discover what caused all the rot.
2024 was also about having some fun with vintage lighting. And who doesn’t like having fun with vintage lighting? Here is a period-correct, budget-correct, and room-correct gas/electric pendant in the kitchen. This took years.
And three matching sconces. Gadzooks! In the original locations, no less. Screwed into the original gas pipes! Can I have a SQUEE!!!!!!!!
OK. So, all my lighting fun was not only about vintage fixtures.
And, y’all remember the endless revisions of the entry pendant? This also took years to get right.
And a lovely new pendant for the niche.
And have y’all recovered from the drama over getting curved curtain rods in the Receiving Room?
Kenny unexpectedly surprised me by delivering the main porch spindles all painted!
Which directly led to the installation of the long-lost Big Sweep balustrade. Zounds!
The main entry doors were restored in 2014. But, that damn upkeep thing required their being refinished again this year.
I am drooling over the shimmering laspsiding.
Have I learned anything this year?
Yes: Make no plans for 2025.
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I know some like drastic before and after reveals but I enjoy seeing the small things get taken care of. It’s oddly satisfying. 😁
Thank you, Kelly.
I had read your post but didn’t say, great job and keep up the good work. Hugs to Kenny when you see him from me.
Ross!!! I’m definitely reading 😊 Weirdly, the email for this entry was clipped, and it was much, much shorter. Maybe that’s why people haven’t commented?
A massive congrats on the updates and a huge thank you for the lovely posts. I especially enjoyed the recent one about the different Rosses throughout the years. And I’m also loving the posts on fixing up your current house (the one you live in) and it’s weird and quirky history.
Wishing you the best new years and sending a huge virtual hug!!
I had the same experience, meaning that most of the post was missing from the email. I was surprised that it was so short! That didn’t seem like you, Ross. I’m glad to see the complete version.
Oh my word. So much work and so much REwork. I admire your love and commitment to doing it all the right way. I can honestly say I don’t have that drive – but I am glad that folks like you do. <3
I hope your 2025 goes a little more "to plan" than the past year(s). For both of us. 😉
Great job! I am always shocked by your level of energy you have . 2025 is going to be a great year and I am looking forward to see all the progress you will make!
I’ve learned the same thing this year. Life sure can throw some mighty big curveballs. I thoroughly enjoy watching your journey with this beautiful lady. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!
Daniel Burnham had a saying: “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized”. I disagree with him. Little plans are the savior for me when big plans make me so nervous, I freeze. You’re doing a great job weathering the tide of time, and I just want you to know that although I don’t comment often, your blog is a nice reassurance that something good is going on in the world amidst so much chaos and uncertainty in my life and the larger nation and world.
Lots of great work happened in 2024 Ross! Looking good!
I saw the clipped version. This is a great recap. I did not remember the cat wall that far along. May your 2025 be as productive even if it is not planned.
You did not include your fight against your lead levels! You have achieved much in two years, however the saying about ” man makes plans and the universe laughs ” … smart move to not plans for 2025. I am sure things will happen, one baby step at a time.
I definitely read, but figured I’d go back for a second look before commenting. You’ve done so much! It’s a big job but it looks so good!
I never knew there was a thing called a cat wall….love seeing all the progress. Do you ever go on a vaca?
You have done so much. I wish for you to finish your house and sell it and move to the cross house so then you can do more work!
I remember some of that but other photos seem new.
Looking over the year, wow, you accomplished a LOT.
While you may not be planning anything for 2025, you will do something and a year from now when you do your 2025 year in review you will be astounded at what you have accomplished.
Whatever it is will be marvelous.
Good morning Ross….. What you have done is impeccable. The attention to detail is remarkable in today’s DIY HDTV driven world. I am on the Historic District Commission for our city and so many people come before us with proposals to replace spindles with 1″x1″ pressure treated ones, or slap 4×4 posts in place of round columns. I am always aghast at their attitudes, knowing full well they bought a house in a protected, historic district, but want to create a deck in front, not a porch. They know the rules but want to go cheap and fast. I always ask myself, and sometimes them, what on earth would you buy a house and then literally destroy it by doing stupid stuff? We usually get the “deer in the headlights” look or the “I didn’t know I couldn’t do that” response, even though the neighborhood association informs us everyone knows what should happen. Anyway, you’re doing the home justice and someone at some time, who gets this house years in the future will be thankful you did everything right.
I’ve got a few questions and maybe a few hints/tips as I started restoring my Queen Anne Victorian in 1992 and finished her in 2018. Learned a lot along the way and always want to help others save time and repeating things. I painted this beast three times in these last years. The final time started in 2010. I finished the entire project in 2020. It’s held superbly since and only minor touch ups here and there due to impact damage or sun fading. No cracking, blistering or alligatoring.
Quick questions: The refinished floor. What sealer did you use?
The wall in the stairway, did you use plaster or drywall compound?
Have you thought of restoring your gas lights for operation? Our whole house is operational gas lighting again. The pipes were in great shape, no issues with those and generally there aren’t as they’re fixed firmly in the walls and almost never, ever develop any kind of leak. Our gas/electric combo fixtures were stolen in 1989 so during our years of restoration we picked up fixtures that hadn’t been drilled out or converted to all electric. We also matched as closely as possible, the fixtures that had been in the home (family supplied photos). I even drilled down through the newel post and installed a gas newel post lamp. The second tip was learned from repainting areas over and over again due to the paint failing. We finally stumbled across “Mad Dog” primer. It goes on like watered down Elmers Glue but dries to a ‘sticky note” tackiness. It is able to breathe, yet flex as the house expands and contracts and prevents the paint from cracking or popping off. It extends the life of your paint job 3-4x. I switched to the product two years into the new paint scheme. Everywhere I used ‘traditional primer” the paint failed, chalked, blistered, etc. Everywhere I used Mad Dog Primer, its pristine. I had to go over the traditional primer areas with Mad Dog back in 2015 and now the entire house is primed with it and it’s holding up wonderfully. I’d attach photos to show you but that’s not an option here.
Much thanks for this. My house is only 1922 but all wood. I’ve been lucky as I have bought quality paint and primer and only have had to have the house painted twice since buying it in 1987. But it will be due for a paint job in the next few years. Could probably use it now but will have to wait. When I do I am going to hunt down this Mad Dog primer.
Well, closest dealer is across the state but it is available on Amazon. They make a bunch of different primers. Which one did you use?
I’m just starting to replace my fence and I am treating all of the boards with two coats of a stain sealer that is guaranteed for 20 years. When it comes time to do the house, I would love to use Mad Dog so the house is also good for 20 years. Basically I want to die before I have to paint the house or replace the fence again.
I’ve ordered directly from mad dog and also buy it locally. When I started, they only had one type. I’ve now used the deck porch primer with fantastic results. I’ve only used the “deck fix” and green label versions.
I’m behind on reading your posts and am catching up today, now that the holiday festivities are wrapped up, so to speak 🙂 Wow, you accomplished a lot this year!
Tiny typo alert: “And, y’all remember the endless revisions of the entry pendant? This also looks years to get right.” Should “looks” be “took”?
Congratulations on all your accomplishments. Here’s to all our accomplishments, planned or not, in 2025!
Fixed! Thanks, Barb!
Hey Ross and all readers!
This blog is a joy to read and spend time with and I have followed along for a long time. One thing I always wonder but haven’t really wanted to ask until now: You are renovating/fixing 3 houses… Do you see the end of the tunnel or are you going til you no longer able to do all this work? Either way I love reading and I always seem to learn something new. Thank you Ross and all your helpers too!