AS YOU WERE

   When we purchased this house back in 2011, many of its original architectural features were severely damaged, missing, or hidden.  Discovering clues to the house's past, we have been able to resurrect, replace or reproduce porch posts, balusters, a 1/2 round window,  and a diamond pane window over the course of 3 years.

An old post found in the basement at purchase

One of 12 reproduced posts

Installing replicated balusters

Looking good but a long way to go

3rd floor 1/2 round covered by a rectangular storm window

Newly made 1/2 round

New window installed in studio space on 3rd floor

Reclaimed window for dining room

Diamond paned window installed and trimmed

        This discovery has been at the back of my mind ever since my shovel hit the brick over a year ago.  The time arrived this August to do something about the brick.....the last of the BIG projects to restore this Hawthorne house.

To be continued.....

THIS OLD HOUSE : 2013 READER REMODEL CONTEST

      holds a yearly remodel contest.

  

We've entered our Hawthorne House restoration in the whole house category.  I just got word via email that our entry has gone LIVE.  Check it out here and please keep your fingers and toes crossed for us.

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

This all seems like a distant memory.

What used to be this is now a cozy spot on a cold evening.

The fire is so delightful.

Side note: The antique firescreen was a Christmas gift from my sweet husband.  It fit as if it were made for this spot.

ANOTHER VINTAGE FIXTURE HUNG

That was then....

and 

THIS IS NOW.

Hanging outside its new home on the 2nd story deck

Admittedly, the fixture requires a more decorative bulb but this one did in a pinch in attempts to pass

the electrical inspection.

BACK WHERE THEY BELONG

A month ago I was re-wiring old fixtures.  Today they are all in place...back where they belong.

Before : March 2011

After: August 2012

Before: March 2011

After: August 2012

Before : March 2011

After : August 2012

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

    After acquiring all the light fixtures for the house this past year, we brought them to Hawthorne Ave. last week to be installed.  The electrician noticed that the 2 fixtures sold to me as exterior lights are actually labeled inside the fixture "not for outside use".  Putting the fixtures back in their boxes to be returned, we went in search of replacements....fast.  Paul's Place to the rescue.  Anne at Paul's Place pulled out numerous fixtures, most in need of some work.  The one I decided to fall for needs perhaps the most work.  It figures!

A little scrubbing with fine steel wool revealed some brass detailing.

BEFORE

AFTER

This one will hang above the door on the 2nd floor deck out back.  I've decided to clean it up and clear coat the fixture instead of paint it again.  I like how, with this treatment, this beauty's age shows.  

Stay tuned for the completely cleaned, re-wired , and refinished light fixture!  It should be sometime this week.

WARMS MY HEART

    Understandably, a project such as this restoration is not for most people.  The fact that I began blogging the journey is due to my niece and my son telling me how easy it is to do. Had you asked me 2 years ago what I thought about blogs in general I would have poo-pooed them, but today I sing another tune.  Much of my family is out of town and cannot see our project first hand on any regular basis so they keep up via my blog entries. 


    A pleasant bonus of journaling the restoration has been all the lovely and encouraging comments I have received from several of my readers.  Particularly special are the comments liking me to my paternal grandfather who passed away 22 years ago.  You see, while I always adored my grandfather, I never saw that we had a single thing in common.


"You are so your grandfather."


Your Grandfather's "favorite pastime in Richmond was going to Caravati's.  Mr. Caravati was living at the time."


Warms my heart.

I miss you Granddaddy!