Painting a Historic House…Historically. PART II
In a previous post I discussed my efforts to paint the 1894 Cross House in a historically accurate manner. From day one, I was curious as to what the original exterior colors were. However, this seemed an impossible question to answer as the previous owner had removed ALL the old exterior paint from the house….
Continue ReadingA 1930s Crystal Star! By Lightolier!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingDoggies!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 3.
Recently, I did a post about a small pile of lights which Lacie, the realtor who sold me the Cross House, left on the back porch of the house. She emailed: Was I interested? Oh, baby, yes. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 2.
Recently, I did a post about a small pile of lights which Lacie, the realtor who sold me the Cross House, left on the back porch of the house. Was I interested, she had emailed. Oh, baby, yes. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingGood Ross vs. Evil Ross. The Epic Battle Continues…
Last August, I did a post about a titanic battle between Good Ross and Evil Ross. Before continuing this current post, I urge that you read the previous post, otherwise this new post will not have much meaning. I will have a sip of wine while you catch up…. OK! Finished with…
Continue ReadingZounds! A new Discovery! PART II.
As I recreated the lost diamond windows on the west dormer, I will recreate the lost details on the north gable windows. I believe that such small details collectively help to make great old houses gorgeous old houses. All old houses, over time, lose bits and pieces of their original beauty. And…
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 1.
Lacie Hamlin was the realtor who sold me the Cross House. She is smart, delightful, and gorgeous, and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know her. Last week, Lacie sent me a text image: a grouping of old lights which were for sale. Was I interested, she asked? If so, how much should she pay?…
Continue ReadingEighteen Moderne Sconces!
Moderne is an aesthetic which developed after the Art Deco period. This aesthetic was relatively short lived, and reached the height of its popularity in the late 1930s. Emerald City, in the movie Wizard of Oz, is Moderne gone Hollywood. Many lighting fixtures labeled Art Deco are more accurately Moderne, such as a matched set…
Continue ReadingThrowing History into a Dumpster
There are a spate of TV shows showing viewers how they can renovate and “update” an old home. Oh the horror. The horror. The result of this televised saturation is that a great many people think nothing about painting gorgeous wood interior trim white, knocking out walls to create “open plans”, discarding original lighting for…
Continue ReadingMaking Pocket Doors Work
I have done a series of posts about how to repair the pocket doors of the Cross House. There are three pairs of doors, and one WIDE door. Only one pair opened/closed smoothly, all the others were a tug-of-war. I am a deep believer in not having to do battle with my house, and like…
Continue ReadingPainting a Historic House…Historically
It is rare that a historic home is repainted in its original colors. Most historic home owners go for a “painted lady” effect. And/or most owners select colors which they like. In a million years I would not have selected…
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