Feb
20
Remodeling Lessons Learned
As part of our continuing behind-the-scenes coverage of the Blog Cabin 2012 remodeling project, we are proud to present four new articles published by our sister site, HGTVRemodels.com. Remodeling a space in your home? Considering purchase of an older home? These features are packed with tons of takeaways that will help you navigate your way through the process. Read and share your thoughts:
• Staircase Makeover
• Home Remodeling Rules to Follow
• Restore or Renovate?
• Abating Lead and Asbestos
I am so ready for BLOG CABIN!!!!
Thank You Mary for more updates on the home!
I was wondering if the labeling on the blinds we are voting for is correct? I always thought pickled was a transparent white wash.The first blind looks like that, but says painted. The second says pickled but looks stained.The third blind looks black which I believe looks more like a flat paint. Might want to check that. Again, Thank You for info.
Windee
Very good point, W/indee!
B)<3 Kitty
Thank You
Have a great evening!:D^_^<3Kitty
Thank You. Wishing you the same
Yes, Windeeone, I also brought this up—who knows what we are really voting for?
And they haven't fixed the link to 'Restore or Renovate' yet, either. Is anyone paying attention to the blog?
Wow, I can't believe the original stairs in the blog cabin. They look strange in an absolutely fascinating sort of way. I've never seen that in a home before. The carpeting there almost gave it a bit of an old theater feel. I love the look of the open stairs mentioned in the article too, but they can be a pain with children and there is something almost disconcerting about how they feel when you are using them.
When it comes to Restoration, Remodeling, and Renovation, all I can say from past experience is that sometimes, aside from hiring a knowledgeable contractor, it's also helpful to have the phone number of a good counselor or couples therapist on hand for times when things get really stressful…!
Which is why having the Knickerbocker Group and the DIY crew doing the Blog Cabin renovation for us is so ideal. They do all the work, we get all the benefits!
So true, Coop. So true.
Thanks for the links, Mary. Very informational. I figured the house had PLENTY of lead paint and asbestos. I remember my dad painting in our house with "high gloss" lead based paint. Mainly the trim in the kitchen and the bathroom. I'm sure it's still there. My brother lives in the house now and has since painted over the old paint….but I'm sure it's still there.
Sorry but… . After what DIY has allowed the K group to do with this wonderful 1884 home, I don't think it was a good ideal to create a blog that tries to preach to us about how to properly remodel an old home?
Totally understand your feelings and point of view, but sometimes you just don't know what you have to work with until you begin the demo. Renovating OLD homes can sometimes be like….. trying to fill a quickly enlarging sink hole. Each time you attempt to correct something, (foundation cracks, drainage problems, sagging floor joists, rotting roofs, new code standards, and zoning regs) there is another problem that often presents itself. Then O.M.G. There is the possible nightmare that your home or neighborhood is given an historical designation. I don't even want to go there. Wait till we get the entire story when this is finally completed. Sure it will be a very informative program and full of lessons learned.
I truly enjoyed and learned a lot from the 4 articles posted for us to read about restoring or rest. I found them to be very dead on with a house my Grandfather left us grandkids. Late 1800's, he lived there since coming from Italy around the age of 5 and stayed until his demise at 97 and didn't change a thing in it. We have our work cut out for us, but when it's completed it will be beautiful. Lots of wood and stained glass, truly a beauty. He wanted to do updates later in life but never got around to doing them. So we will take his wishes and incorporate them into the renovation. Thanks for the info HGTV!!
We had a similar situation. Family log homestead, additons capped w/clapboard siding – NO PLUMBING until 1989! Dirt floor & rubble foundation and an extremely low budget. I guess other than running water, not really much has changed, which can be thought good or bad depending on the perspective
Valuable lessons. Hokiemom will be happy to know that lead/asbestos removal will be handled safely (she's mentioned it before) as am I relieved, also
. My 2 biggest reservations involve seeing the 'before' photos( and finding the appeal of the cottage with white siding,) and those chimneys reminding me there will be no fireplaces inside. :$
The problem with a switchback stairway is moving furniture. It can be hard to get those large items up the switch back unless you can hoist them up and over. It does make it easier to get these old bones up and down the stair, though. lol
Yes,Nancy B., I guess Matt B. will not have to move furniture up these staircases, since he may well be on assignment here for the Yard Crashers show…he will have to move boulders this time, LOL (Or will it be our friend Ahmed on Yard Crashers assignment for the Blog Cabin –better yet, DIY, we want to have both guys host in Maine ! )
Interesting that this set of Blog info items was posted as "new"–they have been up for at least a week or more. Some valid points, though –and worth the read. Kim Tuttle has stated [regarding the BC Dutch Neck house] “We want its history to show through.” Is that going to be, though?
I'm just having such a hard time with that, because I'm not finding evidence of historic restoration at all — in fact, the work done and apparently planned so far, is outright contemporary-looking and holds no historic memory attributes, nor is attempting to synthesize today's conveniences with yesterday's charm–which CAN, in fact be done! I don't necessarily fault Kim , Mark or Knickerbocker though. They do as told.
So this Beautiful lady will, no doubt be very attractive, but she will not be representative of a Maine Coastal cottage or farmhouse–she is definitely NOT a Mountain cabin (never will be), and she will not, on first look, exude the "appearance" of the traditional, "typical" Maine waterfront property due to her chosen color combination.:( It might have been more helpful for the vote color choices to be 3 color combos–all of which were traditionally appropriate to the sensibilities of the community wherein the house is part of, rather than colors that may outright jolt the traditional habits of an old and conservative populace. Yes, she'll be very nicely decorated and landscaped! Will she by historic? I'm afraid that part likely, by the month of August 2012, when we will be voting, will be quite gone with a lot of hot wind….<3 Kitty
Kitty,
LOL!^_^ too true!o.0 We shall see?
Ruffy, you're so with it!! We shall definitely see–something…:D;):pB)<3o.0 Kitty
HaHaHa:po.0
HaHaHaHa!!!:p;)<3
DSDE, I so agree with you on so many of the items you bring up. Our poor Blog Darling will look so different on the inside. I do not like the color choices! On the bright side, it will turn out beautifully (but not very traditional in my humble opinion).
I agree, BunnyInTheSouth! It makes me so wistful because Maine holds my heart and I am disappointed with the direction this place took. I have very deep roots right there in Lincoln County and feel for the losses of character and historical significance this home is experiencing. It will, as you said be beautiful, if not carry the colors most of us bloggers wanted, but I think even her neighbors will have to catch their rolling eyes a few times, as these hiccup over the loss of beloved Maine traditions….
o.0=/<3 Kitty
I'm sorry–that's Marcus Golding–not Mark. My sincere apologies! :$ Kitty
I do agree with you.
Right now I am grateful they aren't touching that barn! That would have been down right criminal to remake it.
Thanks, Nebraska! I am relieved they haven't messed up the barn–it would be such a travesty–you're right! The house, well, that's a story already, all of its own.
Have a good evening!:D<3 Kitty
Right with you on that, Nebraska ! In 2010 I thought the barn was the better structure on the Bethel , NY property. I was so worried they would mess with it(–the Bethel house was shoddy in its original state and not historic, so the remodel was an improvement.)) There was nothing to preserve…this 2012 house has charm that was lost the minute the siding was to be replaced with totally non- Cape Cod design and colors, and fireplaces inside had to be removed.
I agree with you on the demise of preservation, LL. Even one fireplace would have been a blessing Just one! And colors? Bleh! So we do the best with what we've got. I think it will be pretty, nevertheless, just atypical as in "from away," as Mainers would describe. I'm so glad we have the barn–all I ask them is please don't touch! And leave the Winner the choice of old kitchen cabinets, woodstove, glass windows and wood to repurpose on personal DIY projects, please.B);)xD<3
There was only ever one fireplace in this house and that was a modern addition (mid 1980's). The house was heated by woodstoves until the 1950's when forced air was added. The chimneys were for the stoves, not fireplaces. The only fireplace, in the middle of the first floor rear wall, was an add on and probably not very structurally sound. I can see why no fireplaces in the reno. if they are trying to preserve the historic concept – but the why offer such non- traditional ad non-Maine options on the siding, backsplashes and other things? There seems a general inconsistency with these builders. Maybe it will all come together eventually (except that green siding). That's so NOT coastal anywhere much less Maine. :S
Good points Clive and as as always, thank you for researching the facts. I had wondered why the TWO chimneys, forgetting about the wood stoves. In re the chimneys, I did wonder about leaving them up–the weight of all the bricks and need for repointing. That seems like a weird feature to keep…I had just liked the focal point and coziness of the fireplace and bookcases in the living room….. I don't mind the ventless fireplaces that need no flues..they give off a nice effect.
LL, In the beginning, there were actually 4 chimneys. One came up through the kitchen near the old laundry area, and, of course the 1980s "new" fireplace in back had a chimney. I'm still remembering that Steve Malcom of Knickerbocker implied early on that we had some kind or surprise coming between or connected to those two chimneys–so I'm still gambling my hopes on a widow's walk/watch–what else could it be? I'll be very disappointed if not. Any other guesses, anybody???? B):D:p<3 Kitty
I understand that back fireplace was a recent addition. The issue, however, has always been having the option of an open, yet energy efficient fireplace such as a Russian fireplace with built-in baking capability for bread, pizza etc., and which would NOT pull needed heating warm air up the chimney, thus keeping the place cozy; but also would limit the use of expensive propane gas. I just believe it would have been much wiser to have 2 forms of heat and, yes, even cooking, for Maine, given the known tendency for power failures and expensive Gas energy. There's nothing more inviting on a cold wet day than to walk into the mudroom, while taking off soppy boots, jackets, mittens, etc. and look forward to a mug of hot cider or chocolate by a real fireplace! I don't think that gas stove will, even though it looks cute enough, evoke the intensity of warmth and hospitality that one can expect from a working energy efficient Russian fireplace! Too bad! :$:S=/o.0<3 Kitty
Kitty, I think the point you and others have made about 2 types of heat sources is an important one.Power failure in winter…not so fun. o.0
Yes LL , I believe in preparing for contingencies. My family and pets were trapped in ice and snow within our own land and house several years ago–no power, no ability to plow our way out–we were stuck for 11 days and one of our fireplaces saved our lives. We brought my bed-bound Mother, 5 birds, cat, dog,and kept feeding the fire; cooked canned goods on it , melted snow for water, toted pool water and ice in buckets for lavatories, and flushing, buried frozen foods on deck to protect it, used gas grill–lived chilli well, until an emergency vehicle could get in and take Mom to safety, where her medical equipment could be used. It took 4 days for that! So for a Big Business such as Scripps and DIY to miss the boat on such an important issue as planning for emergencies–that gets to my sensibilities and surprises me, for they should know better! :S=/o.0<3 Kitty
I wrote that "I can see why', not that I agreed with the way they handled the fireplace issue. If one wants 'authentic' then one doesn't have a fireplace in this house. I believe, firmly, that propane was not the way to go for a whole host of reasons. However, I'm not working within the cofines of the TV show's aims.
I wish I had a spare $20,000+ for a Russian Fireplace though.
When I was young I used to love to visit one of my aunts who lived in a 17century house that centered around the huge stone floored kitchen. She cooked everything in her Aga wood fired oven and it heated part of the house also. It was a real eye-opener to see a 3-course meal including roast and a pie coming from two small fire boxes and a cast iron cook-top. Electricity was never used in her cooking. :p
Clive, I appreciate your input and agree with you mostly. You're correct, even though it's expensive, that lots of Mainers' use propane as one of their sources of heat because its easy to get. They also use fireplaces. Growing up there, I have been in scores and scores of typical antique Maine homes, mostly Greek revival, capes, Italianate and Mansard and several others. 99%+ had fireplaces. That is not unusual in Maine and that is authentic to antique homes there.I have to say I'm not that familiar with modern construction there–only antique. I believe there probably was at least one fireplace if not more in that Dutch Neck house , but over time, these were removed and converted to stoves. Then , the 80's remodel happened and that fireplace was put in. It really is a moot subject because there is no fireplace planned–but if I were to–very long shot here–win–a fireplace there would be, eventually. I think I would've fallen in love with your Aunt's home, Clive. You were lucky to enjoy it!
;):pB)<3Kitty
I believe you would have enjoyed that house. However, houses like that come at a cost. She & her husband were poor. He & my mother were born there, as were their parents and grandparents, they grew up there and he inherited it. For me, visiting in the 50's & 60's, it was a reminder of a bygone age. There was the formal parlor, a study, a dining room and all were like museum sets. We kids never went into those rooms except under 'supervision'. Photos of past family, many in military uniform, together with mementos of past wars (WW1, The Boer War, even the Crimea War) were on the walls. However, there was also that wonderful flagstone floored kitchen. Big enough for all the family to cook, eat & socialize. We didn't really need the other rooms except for 'adventures'. The back yard was a walled kitchen garden with a small orchard behind it, full of great climbing trees and the obligatory air raid shelter, a relic of WW2. Maintenance was overwhelming and when she passed her daughter couldn't wait to sell. However, it gives me an opportunity to have seen how far we have come in housing in such a short time.
I'm sorry I took so long to get back and post to your dreamy memories, Clive. I'm trying to catch up after a multi-day migraine–no fun. I tried to picture myself in your Aunt's home–and it transported me directly into my own Grandparent's then-125- year-old CT home, where my happiest childhood memories are. The kitchen, where my Nana still had an old pressing machine, and the magical 1/2 bath that took the place of a surprise, secret wall space full of treasures hidden behind a corner dining room china closet, during the war, by the home's previous home owners and forgotten, trying to avoid conscription of precious metals….discovered by my grandparents, on adding the downstairs powder room! That home had great gathering places, either in Grampa's Study, where we exchanged stories of the day, or in the sunroom, where the pianola, played ragtime roll after roll in perfect, flawless time, as my Nana kept time with her hands, no longer able to stand or dance, due to severe crippling rheumatoid–but her eyes danced with us and no childhood ball was to be missed. Bless those old magical homes and days, right ,Clive?
Agreed. I hope the memories give me a better perspective on a whole host of things.
As I recall, the only inside fireplace had been a rather new one added to the back wall. The chimneys served wood stoves for heating the house. They really didn't remove any fireplaces.
Regarding the gas "wood stove", there is one in a restaurant in Waldoboro and the flame and fire look very genuine and the heat output is amazing.
I'm hoping, Carole, that they haven't or won't toss the wood stove that was in the old kitchen. I'd like to install it in the barn, if i win, as would I also install the old kitchen cabinets.
I know that fireplace in the living room was circa 1980s and I didn't care for it. I have had 3 woodstoves that take natural seasoned wood and lived them! You're right they put out Great heat! What i dream of having, and Lord willing, would build, is a stone Russian fireplace in the living room downstairs and move that gas stove elsewhere, maybe to the megaden upstairs, if I happened to win. I would sure hope to live there as long during the year as I could, so long as it were safe for Gary to commute. It would be great to get to know you and Lisa! ^_^B)<3 Kitty
Ditto. But she did get one heck of a face lift. lol
You're right Hawkweed, she's getting one great facelift–and I'm sure she will be very pretty, no doubt about it, even if she's missing a great portion of her historic charm and typical Maine appeal. The only way I can compare her facelift, however is to tell a little story: pick the makeup worn by Egyptian Nobility, such as Cleopatra's makeup being put on a Gibson Girl and, when the Gibson Girl observes herself for the first time in her beveled mirror, she's astonished, a bit overwhelmed and shy about it for this, she' never seen in ANY of her society forays; but, she's told it's the newest thing and to wear it (Cleopatra's style makeup) proudly for she will start a new trend–she ventures out obediently to her superiors, attends to her social responsibility–and is ogled and laughed out of town…. I hope this isn't the same story we'll hear, for Mainers can be quite traditional in their ways, no matter what. IMO we need to keep our minds open, for the sake of this grand rebuild–restoration historic–or not, though I truly wish it had been the latter.
;)^_^<3 Kitty
Girl, you have a way of painting a picture! Our heart will bleed for the old girl! I'm going to stay positive and hope for the best. Hopefully the gilded lily won't turn out to be a purple pansy!
Maybe she'll be a purple pansy with a bright sunshiny heart–have you seen those? They are a pick-me-upper and a day-brightener. I like your spirit, BunnyInTheSouth! xD We just hope and hang onto the best. Maine will envelope her in beauty!;):p<3 Kitty
Indeed, I love pansies. I love how some of them seem to have faces that smile and wink at you.
That's exactly the endearing thing about them, they have faces! And smiles! ^_^;):p<3 Kitty
Bunny
You took the words out of my mouth^_^ Kitty certainly does have a wasy with words!:p Right on!^_^o.0
That's a sweet compliment, Ruffy and I appreciate it. This Blog brings the best out of most of us, I think! You included!!!! Heeheehee! :p:*^_^<3 Kitty
Jumped back in to correct myself again: It should have read, "I truly wish it had been the FORMER (restoration historic) -and not the Latter (or not) — My big bad!:$:( Kitty
Kitty –I know just what you are getting at ! Last year I adored the simple un-fussy look of the working farmhouse in VA. At the back, facing the water, I could understand changing the exterior look by adding huge windows to view the water. I could not stand the way the front of the house looked after the reno. My metaphor was not make-up ( although I may have mentioned something about lipstick on a pig), but I did bring up the elegance of the clean lines of an Amish quilt–elegance the Twin Coves house had originally–and the quilts that have frilly lace and doo- dad embellishments on them, the way the completed reno turned out. Those ghastly curved windows at the top, the brick half wall which never would have stood in that yard, and the too- formal front garden with circular driveway…all were pretty in their own way, but did not belong with that type of house. One would never add on frilly lace embellishments to a valuable antique Amish quilt !!
The project made something awkward with no understanding of differences of the various types of Victorian architecture, real Palladian windows, brick colonial VA homes…and threw all those bits together. That house was dilapidated as they found it, but it had soul and elegance even in a run- down condition.After reno, the elegance was lost on its exterior. Given last year's project, I am afraid Mainers will be none too pleased with the aesthetics. Yes , it will be safer,with new efficiency and insulation and mechanics–at what price ?
You're right, LL! Last year's BC lost the look of an early 20th Century farmhouse. I thought the Palladian windows were out in left field. The house looked pretty, but lost her typical heart. The Grand House Entry didn't fit the nature of a waterfront get-away spot. It was beautiful too. But it wasn't an Edwardian era cottage. I am persuaded the advertising donor have a good bit of input when it comes to using the selections they are donating–but i can't imagine them pushing colors. I think designers should research the typical/acceptable colors to a particular area's sensibilities–and propose a selection of a group of a few of those for vote rather than random, undesirable, literally offensive colors, which the locals would say are offensive to their sensibilities,custom and area tradition. It would certainly show some respect to the locals. :S=/o.0 Kitty
I don't sense any interest in trying to shine up a venerable antique in a true restoration style. To me THAT would be fascinating…This is like urban renewal when there was no thought to just tearing down gorgeous old buildings…maybe because they weren 't OLD enough to be appreciated. In this case we've got the shell of the original,but all the rest has to be brand new and edgy…and the soul of the house and the location has been sold to the devil for the sponsors,who would likely gain nothing if they did not promote their most recent goods. It's one big Ad…sad:(
It IS sad and ironic because restoration or antique houses is such an "IN" thing, that most major companies have lines of products which they could and should promote to give the property the sensibility of antiqueness with newness of modern coordinating design. I just don't get it. I was able to purchase that sort of plumbing fixtures for my home–they are available. And very modern-working too! The search takes time though–and one has to know what one is asking for.B)xD^_^<3 Kitty
We spent considerable $ (my bro did anyway) to totally redo the heat/water system in the B&B.My husband and I helped move 22 new (painted to look old) hot water iron radiators into our B&B.Our heat system went from a filthy forced hot air to good old fashioned radiators hooked up to a top of the line boiler. The radiators were a stumbling block throughout the renovation but well worth it. The modern efficient system lives in the cellar but the look and heating quality of radiators lives in the B&B. I love placing towels and socks on the radiators to warm them before use. I wish they'd spent more time on authenticating this renovation:(
Your place sounds downright heavenly! I love the old hot water iron radiators for the very reasons you described. warm mittens, socks and other stuff are so snuggie after they've been left on the radiators for a while!
They dry fast too. I'm sure this renovation will be pretty, but she will definitely not be a restoration and will be somewhat of a potpourri of eras, style and fixtures that don't necessarily evoke her 1884 heritage or history any more. I would have gone for a more historic home, and used modern with historic appearance fixtures to evoke such a feel. B):*:p<3 Kitty
Ditto,Kitty! in regards to the Palladian windows-you never know where these posts will end up!?o.0
I love palladian windows–in the right places, Ruffy. I have several in my modified European/French country manor (not really a manor as in that big–but somewhat big, because i needed room to be a caregiver). But a simple farm country house doesn't fit the bill, IMHO. It would have been wonderful if DIY had lobbied for a Generac generator, knowing where they were building. Kind of like knowing your customer. o.0:o:p<3 Kitty