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.....

THE END IS IN SIGHT

   Over on Warren Road we have been readying the house for market some time now.  Once the majority of our possessions were moved from one locale to the next, the house we enjoyed for so many years looked dingy and worn.  In  order to maximize our potential profit, many things needed to be done.

1. WINDOWS

We've known for some time that a few windows required replacing, but once all the curtains were removed the situation was more grave.  Seventeen windows needed upgrading.  UGH!  Because of the scarcity of dollars, we did it ourselves.

   One full day + 3 hard workers (Wallace, Donnie and myself) = 17 new windows installed

4 new windows in the living room bay

2.  PORCHES & DECK

Years ago I took down the railing on the front porch.  The original builder put a ranch style railing on our Victorian style house and it looked so wrong.  In order to sell the house a new rail must be installed to pass an inspection.  Fortunately, I got much experience building and installing rails and balusters on Hawthorne Avenue just a year ago.

front porch

                     

side stoop

                 
    

Michael levels and installs pickets on the back deck railing

...any excuse to use the reciprocating saw

3. FLOORS

A lot of living has gone on in our Warren Rd. home for nearly 26 years.  Thankfully hardwood floors can take a beating and survive.  All they needed was light sanding and a couple coats of new poly.

Wallace sands

   

and scrapes

                                    

Poly is applied and results are outstanding

What we discovered while completing this project ....

    ~The old windows had no insulation what-so-ever (consequently big heat and AC bills)

    ~It was not so difficult or pricey to upgrade windows as we had thought for so many years

    ~The house looks and functions much better than it did when we first bought it years ago
    ~Many hands make light work

    ~We have skills!

Had I known these past years how capable we are of tackling and accomplishing all this I would have done it long before now.


         

TRIMMING OUT THE HOUSE

    Now that our trim carpenter has had a go at finishing off the diamond window we replaced a couple weeks ago, it looks as if has been in the house since 1907.

Thanks David C.  I think you are doing an awesome job.

CUTTING CURVES

    So many cracked window panes in need of replacement.....

I set up a work station and gathered my tools to tackle a job of which I am a bit leery.  I have not cut curves in glass for several years and have never cut pieces as large as what must be done for these quarter round windows.

The window required cleaning first. 

 Paint clouded the glass but the remaining undamaged panes were

 readily cleaned with acetone and a rag.

The old glaze practically fell out on its own with a minimal amount of scraping.

Cleaned and primed it was time to cut.

With more luck than skill I got the curve on the first attempt.  (Heavy sigh of relief.)

The window joins the others that have been repaired,

 awaiting priming, glazing and 2 topcoats of paint.

BEFORE & AFTER

   I am a fan of the before and after shot, especially when there is such a dramatic change.   There will be many such comparisons with this house.   Here is just one to get started...

BASEMENT WINDOWS...BEFORE

BASEMENT WINDOWS...AFTER

 

The windows are new replacement windows and the brick bays we have had built using the old brick from the collapsing chimneys.  We think the brick mason did a great job matching the style of the original foundation.  Not only has this renovation resulted in a more pleasing aesthetic, but also it has made the house more secure and protected from rains.

* Note : The drip cap and trim above the windows is also new.  Large sections of the original trim had rotted due to long time water damage (see the repair here).  We had the original trim duplicated and Wallace, Donnie and I installed it.

NEW WINDOWS

    While the new construction windows have been installed there are several replacement windows yet to be set.  Wallace took delivery of the remainder of the windows last week.  

The delivery practically filled the dining room

A couple days later all but the full reveal doors have been installed.

Master bedroom (the Christmas wreath hangs on the outside)

Billye's room (See the magnolias outside her windows)

Looking up from the library window

OUR THIRD FLOOR WINDOW

February 28, 2011

July 9, 2011

July 31, 2011

October 4, 2011