Detroit: 113 Alfred Street
This is Part III of a series. Part I is here. Part II is here. Part IV is here. Part V is here. From my previous posts: The city of Detroit, which owned these three houses and the surrounding land, offered all for redevelopment, stipulating that the historic houses…
Continue ReadingDetroit: 105 Alfred Street
This is Part II of a series. Part I is here. Part III is here. Part IV is here. Part V is here. From my previous post: The city of Detroit, which owned these three houses and the surrounding land, offered all for redevelopment, stipulating that…
Continue ReadingDetroit: The James V. Campbell House
This is Part I of a series. Part II is here. Part III is here. Part IV is here. Part V is here. Brush Park is a residential neighborhood just north of downtown Detroit. In the latter 19th-century, Brush Park was chock-o-block with grand mansions. The advent of the automobile however meant that people…
Continue ReadingAnother Detroit Resurrection: Alfred Street
I was born in Detroit, the 1957 model year. For decades the city was synonymous with decay. During the last five years though there has been an astonishing turnaround, which I have posted about several times. One house, in particular, became THE poster child for abandonment: Alfred Street is in…
Continue ReadingTa-da! The Door Hardware Is Complete!
To my astonishment and great pleasure, this means I can announce to all that the Cross House no longer lacks doors, and nor door hardware! My excitement is considerable. This wonderful news though is mitigated by many many lost window pulls, like two dozen. Drat! I suspect the previous owner,…
Continue ReadingFramed!
Dr. Doug came by yesterday and I showed off the frames. As I pointed out their virtues he just kept looking at me oddly. “What?” I asked. “Ross, frames are suppose to, you know, frame something. Nobody hangs empty frames up!” “Pish posh! They’re beautiful even empty!” Doug just shook…
Continue ReadingThe White House
Walking into the Cross House today it was 27-degrees outside yet clearly warmer IN the house. This is good! Because I recall all too well, and not with fondness, the several years when the house was colder inside than out during the winters. Brrrrrrr. Today, the thermostat was set at 45 and the inside…
Continue ReadingInching Along
Today was 37-degrees. I thought: Is it possible to work in such weather? Or will fingers freeze? The answer proved Yes, and No. While dressed warmly and with a scarf, no fingers were uncomfortable. The outlook for at least the next two days though is grim. I am certain that 30-degrees WILL result…
Continue ReadingDeceiving Sweetness
Sound and fury….signifying nothing. They love it. And it’s almost always sweetpea New Kitty who attacks Gray. You can even see Gray’s submissive position. This is generous of her as she’s older, bigger, and was here first. Years ago I had a small dog and a very large dog (standard poodle). The…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingDelayed Gratification
Even though I am self-employed, my time is not really my own, at least with regards to the Cross House. Since buying the house in 2014, two Heritage Trust grants have ruled over What Is To Be Done. And When. Like, work is focused on the south facade due to deadlines with the 2017 grant….
Continue ReadingBack to Inching Along
Yes, this all may seem confusing! But without these steps the new wood shingles will not die gracefully into the roof plane. Oh, the horror! This will make more sense as progress images are posted!
Continue ReadingVisitors!
Amy and Fritz were in town for another event, but Amy said she had to tour the Cross House. The couple owns an 1850 house which they have been working working working on, and they have a blog! They were both highly attuned to details and as we walked from room to room…
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