remodel / restore

  • Humphrey House: greening a classic bungalow

    The Humphrey House blog details a total, top-to bottom green remodel – keeping many original features but altering the underlying materials and design to make it as energy-efficient as possible – of a beautiful 1920s Chicago bungalow. This is probably the most complete houseblog I've read in a long time. They carefully document every single project (in photos and drawings) – including the little mistakes that we all learn from -  in the seemingly-endless quest to turn this drafty but pretty home into a showcase of modern green technology, techniques and materials.

    They are also maintaining a list of trusted Chicago contractors in the sidebar, so if you're looking for someone to take on a modernization project on an older home in that area, this is a great place to start.

  • glass subway tile from Anchor Bay

    Arizona's Anchor Bay Tile, one of the largest online tile vendors, is now selling glass subway tile in a variety of colors.

    “We are proud to add this new tile collection to our already large selection of ceramic, glass, wood and metal tile,” said Steve Khan, founder and president of AnchorBayTile.com. “These tiles are available in a 3” x 6” size and come in beautiful colors that offer numerous unique design possibilities for any interior designer, architect or do-it-yourself homeowner who wants to add a classic subway tile design to any room.”
     
    Khan also pointed out that glass subway tile is becoming more popular with his customers because of the timeless beauty it brings to any project. “Glass subway tile is a perfect choice for classic, modern and contemporary decorating styles and works well in areas such as in the kitchen as a backsplash, in the shower as a modern upgrade or as a subtle colorful complement to a tub surround or bathroom vanity backsplash,” Khan said. He added that his commercial customers find that glass subway tile works well for restaurants and hospitality projects.

  • case study: this old barn, Rejuvenation-style

    Toh_house
    From the website of our sponsor, Rejuvenation Hardware – from their customer stories section:

    When Amy and Pete Favat set out to build their dream house – a prefab version of a timberframe barn – old world
    tradition joined hands with modern day technology. Their story was originally chronicled in This Old House.

    Designed
    and built in New Hampshire, their home's modular panels were trucked to
    Weston, Mass., for on-site assembly – which went much quicker than a
    customary from-the-ground-up barn raising.

    Simple Fixtures with the Right Fit

    With
    a marriage of rustic charm and industrial elegance, this distinctly
    21st century house (and its owners) demanded well-crafted lights that
    "had the right vibe." And that's where we came in.

    Now, a pair of Rivertons flank the front door, a good fit amid the sturdy beams and weathered wood. And a series of Jeffersons
    look lovely hung in multiples above a stone pathway. Says Amy, "We felt
    these fixtures fit in well with the overall style of our home, and we
    love the warm glow they give the house at night; it's cozy and
    inviting."

    Tradition Goes Out on a Limb

    Now
    that Amy and Pete's new home is finished, it's exceeded their
    expectations. "We did not want it to feel like just another house. It's
    not your typical home at all. It is part barn and part tree house."

    For photos and the full story of the Favat's prefab timberframe home, visit This Old House.

  • five common areas where black mold may be hiding

    Our good friend and regular contributor Joel McDonald sends in the following:

    Black mold can be hazardous to your health. The worst part about it is that it could be growing in your home without you even knowing it. That's because it grows in some unnoticeable places. The important thing is to find it before it gets out of control so you can stop it from spreading. Here are the five most common places where black mold tends to grow within a home so you can do some investigating for yourself.

    Wallpaper
    Your wallpaper could possibly be a breeding ground for black mold spores. Many types of wallpaper glue tend to attract organic materials and dust particles that feed black mold and help it spread.

    Ceilings
    A home's ceiling could have a large amount of black mold as a result of moisture or a leaky roof. If this goes unchecked, you could have a huge area of black mold in your ceiling that continues to grow. Check your ceiling and roof periodically for leaks or water damage. If you see either one, look around for mold immediately to stop it before it spreads.

    Basement
    Most basements are damp. That's just their nature because of where they are. That's why it's common to find black mold in your basement. Mold can grow on wooden materials in your basement. In addition to causing health problems, this can also weaken the structure and of your home and reduce its stability.

    Drywall
    Since mold often grows within your home's walls, drywall is a great place to start looking for it. Drywall that has experienced moisture or dampness is subject to mold. The mold can also spread rather quickly along the drywall. You can usually see this by noticing if the paint on the drywall cracks or peels. If you find a piece of drywall with mold on it, the only way to fix the problem is replace all affected parts of the drywall with new pieces.

    Window Frames
    The area around your windows is a major place to find growing mold. Since cold and warm air meet here and there is often moisture surrounding the windows, mold can grow exponentially in these areas. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to inspect your window frames for toxic black mold. You essentially need to look within the seal to see if anything is growing. If your windows are drafty, it may be smart to get them replaced. This can prevent the growth of future mold, and help lower your energy bills. Consult a professional like Roofs By Rodger for all of your window needs.

    Black mold isn't something to take lightly. For some, it can cause allergic reactions, asthma, skin rashes and even lung inflammation. Others have reported experiencing fever and wheezing as a result of living with black mold. That's why it's so important to catch it before it spreads too far. Just keep an eye on the moisture in your home and black mold shouldn't be a problem for you.

    Content provided by Automated Homefinder, the Colorado Castle Rock real estate professionals.

  • dealing with incompetent contractors

    This blogger had a pretty mediocre experience (and I use the word "mediocre" very generously) with a housepainter, who did a shoddy job and then never showed up to finish it, so in the end it was not just shoddy but half-assed as well. How would you handle this situation? And have you ever had a similar problem with a contractor who dropped the ball or signed on for far more than they were capable of delivering?

  • befores and afters (mostly kitchen remodels)

    I’ve spent the last few days collecting URLs of interesting before/after remodel photography; here are the best of those I’ve found. I’ll have more next week…

    • Abe & Vale transform an overgrown 1902 cottage into a pretty bungalow with a good use of a small side-yard
    • the authors (and owners) of The Dirty House have a nice before-and-after of a particularly messy paint-stripping project
    • the owners of this 1921 bungalow have documented almost every change to their home; most recently, they’ve done a bit of radical landscaping & paint the exterior
    • at A Victorian Farmhouse Reborn, the owners have been busy stripping paint to find some beautiful wood underneath (my least favorite thing to do right after removing wallpaper)
    • more stripping at Hobart House, with some really pretty Tudor-esque ceiling beams beneath
    • lights, fence, mailbox, fencing & more are going up at the Kensington Bungalow
    • Minor Adjustments makes many, and we all know they add up to a whole; here, before and after a new tile backsplash
    • new paint & refinished wood give this living room an all new look
    • the owners of Smithers & Oso’s Old House have removed some hideous vinyl flooring and refinished the beautiful wood underneath
    • a kitchen gets a light, subtle facelift
    • some very funky cabinetry gets a makeover; the new stuff, though, is a bit too trendy for me; another similar kitchen simply paints the nasty old cabinets white, and while it’s still a bit funky, it’s still a huge improvement
    • a little bit of color and a change in hardware make a huge difference to this restored hutch & floor
    • 1960s Ranch chic is transformed into this pretty moderne kitchen
    • again, a little too faux-McMansion for me, but it’s an undeniable improvement
    • knocking down the wall in this atomic Ranch makes a big difference
    • funky formica gets a modern makeover

  • Craftsman kitchen addition in Seattle

    Peter Whiteley’s article appear in the May 2007 issue of Sunset magazine; go there to read the entire article, and to see a photo gallery of the home in question:

    Add a little, gain a lot. That’s the
    lesson Monica and David Stephenson learned when they made a small
    addition to the cramped galley kitchen in their Seattle home.

    Somewhere
    along the line, the kitchen had been poorly remodeled and "had no
    relationship to the rest of the house or backyard," Monica recalls. It
    simply didn’t work for the bustle of daily life with 2-year-old
    daughter Sophia, infant daughter Annabel, and two big Akitas.

    Although
    the couple yearned for an updated kitchen with more space, they wanted
    it to fit the style of their 1918 Craftsman bungalow. Also on their
    list: a breakfast area with a backyard view, a home office, storage
    space, and a more generous back porch where muddy boots and paws could
    be cleaned

  • historic windows workshop: October 25 & 26 in Sacramento CA

    Bethhistoricwindowssac_2

    Sacramento’s Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association and the Sacramento Old City Assocation are offering two full-day workshops on the basic repair, maintenance, weatherization and restoration of historic windows in your home. A $20 fee will help defray costs and includes lunch; for more information or to register, go to sierra2.org or email the organizers.

    Thanks to Janice Calpo for the photo of Beth demonstrating weather stripping!