Separating Political Myths from Reality
WARNING LABEL While this blog is 99% about cool old houses, I also have a section titled Other Cool Things where I reserve the right to discuss other topics. Even scary topics. It is said that one should never discuss politics and religion in polite company. I find this helpful advice, and cannot count the times I…
Continue ReadingZounds! Batman moves to the Cross House!
The other day I stepped onto the rear porch of the Cross House… …when something captured my special attention. In the corner of the porch floor there were…droppings. You know, ah, well, poo bits. Ick! But the bits were unusual. There were not rabbit bits (the neighborhood has many wild rabbits). Nor cat bits. Or…
Continue ReadingAn 1886 House. So, why not a 2015 House?
I collect vintage magazines regarding architecture and interior design. I like seeing how houses looked way back when, and not just decor but kitchens and baths and boilers and dumbwaiters and hardware and the whole bit. A particular favorite is Scientific American, Architects & Builders Edition. Each edition, at least the early editions, are only nominally…
Continue ReadingBefore. After. The Unwanted Bundle 2.
My online store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After. The Unwanted Bundle.
My online store.
Continue ReadingSomebody Else Having Fun With Ancient Wallpaper
I have had a lot of fun, no, THRILLS, uncovering layers of history at the Cross House via old wallpaper discoveries. Today, I was reading another blog, and smiled in recognition and delight at somebody else having the same kind of thrill. Enjoy!
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online store.
Continue ReadingThe Power of Memories. The Kelvinator!
My grandfather was quite the character. He was not a good husband. He was not a good father to his one child, my dad. He was not a good employee or businessman. He was however a really fabulous grandfather. Indeed, he was the perfect grandfather. He delighted in his four grandchildren, and to him we…
Continue ReadingCARRIAGE HOUSE: Part 9
It is great fun posting dramatic Before/After images. But this is a long post about a lot of Before/During. So, no WOW images. Yet.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online store.
Continue ReadingBad Boys & Girls
In my current house the backyard is surrounded by an eight-foot-high metal fence. This means that my kitties cannot climb it, so they have a safe haven INSIDE the fence. On occasion though, an unauthorized visitor enters the Cat Zone. Or unauthorized in the plural…
Continue ReadingBlack Window Magic
Almost all the window sashes in the Cross House are original, and in excellent condition…relatively speaking. Meaning that, although the wood is in excellent condition, the sashes nonetheless require a lot of work to restore them. There are 120-years of exterior paint to remove, and 120-years of bad glazing jobs. I am quite good at…
Continue ReadingA Tale of Four Facades
It is quite distressing looking at these images. One way I manage such a huge project is to simply blot out All The Work Needing To Be Done, a kinda self-invoked selective blindness. Instead, I focus on work which has been completed. I have been determined to…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online store.
Continue ReadingDoes this idea make any sense?
THE BACKGROUND The Cross House and adjacent carriage house are surrounded by concrete, due to their being, at respective times, a motel, boarding houses, apartments, fraternities, and on and on. So, over the last 120-years parking became The Issue, and miles of concrete were laid. Miles. I think there is more concrete at the Cross…
Continue ReadingCARRIAGE HOUSE: Part 7
Have you ever had a day when you feel like you are standing at the edge of a cliff, and might fall off? Well, I had such a day. You see, today I was confronted with a situation involving a titanic battle between Good Ross and Evil Ross. Good Ross wanted to do the right…
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