The Red Door Saga Continues!
In the 1960s, Frank and Esther Toms (who owned the Cross House for three decades) transformed a window in the dining room into a door. This allowed the Toms to have a private entrance into their apartment on the first-floor, as they rented out the rest of the house. Above the door was a stained-glass window (covered here with plexiglass).
With the house no longer a multi-unit residence, I removed the red door and recreated the original window. The stained-glass window has been restored. The plexiglass is temporary until the wood sash is recreated.
This image is from 1999, just after Bob Rodak purchased the house. It had been boarded up. The red door is center. Above the door, the stained-glass window had been covered by a paneled section. This section had originally been UNDER the original window. And how did I know that?
Because the west-facing window opposite retained its paneled section in situ. Ah-ha!
The east panel had been reduced in size, so Dr. Doug recreated its original size. And guess what I did today?
The panel is back! The base is back! The sill is back! It all looks terrible because of varying finishes but all that will be fixed in time. As will the plaster walls!
What Frank and Esther did over five decades ago was necessary to allow the house to work for them. What is nice is that the change was made in a manner which proved reversible. And so many owners of the house have made changes — sooooooooo many changes! — but the vast majority of these changes (which helped the house adjust to changing times) have also proved reversible.
This is one of the most remarkable aspects of the house.
Oh, and what about the red door? It, too, has a happy ending. Please stay tuned…
4 Comments
Leave a Reply Cancel Reply
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
One of these days I want to make my way there to see your home. I love house forensics . I have remodeled many old homes in San Francisco , figuring out what had been was always my favorite part.
It is impressive how That despite the myriad of changes and uses the house has seen, so much of the original parts and details remain. The degree that pieces were moved, repurposed, and even stashed away and saved is astounding compared to the typical modern idea of remodeling (sledgehammer and sawzall everything out, then build all new back). Major respect to the previous custodians of the house who despite making changes, still left so much for you to put back again.
I had never noticed the bare lightbulb in the corner…wonder what it’s purpose was?
Mike, the previous owner installed several sconces in the room.
I plan to remove them as the chandelier offers enough lighting.