Cresting questions - restoring and installing 8 Replies

Quite by accident, I came across and bought a cast iron cresting set in a consignment shop over the weekend.  I've got twelve 13” long panels, plus four 3’ finials.  They are pitted and somewhat rusted, but otherwise they appear to be structurally sound and in still-usable shape. What type of professional should I take them to for inspection and reconditioning?  Some of the panels are missing the tabs that are used to interlock them to the neighboring panel, so they’ll need those (or some other…Continue

Started by Dublin1982 in Old Houses: Pre-1900. Last reply by Christi Timberlake 12 hours ago.

Coal Burning Fireplace - installing gas insert 29 Replies

We have a turn of the century 2 story home, with an old coal burning fireplace.  This has small tiles around it, and a cast iron firebox.  There is a damper that you can push open in the back, and also a damper with a lever you can open and close to the chimney.  There is an ash dump to the basement.  There are 2 rows of grates / vents you can slide open and shut on bottom part of the fireplace, and there is a cast iron summer cover for it.  I know our chimney is not lined.  This is extremely…Continue

Started by Lori Lunsford in Old Houses: Pre-1900. Last reply by Christi Timberlake 12 hours ago.

How Do I Mount An Antique Slate Fireplace Surround To The Wall? 1 Reply

I bought an 1880s slate fireplace surround that I would like to mount to a wall in my home. It's going to go where there was no fireplace previously - I'm basically creating a faux fireplace with the surround.  I have no idea how to attach it to the wall, or if I need to install supporting studs inside the wall first, etc.  Every piece of the surround is EXTREMELY heavy, especially the mantel shelf.   Does anyone have any ideas about how I can do this?Here's a photo of the same style and size…Continue

Started by Dublin1982 in Old House How-To. Last reply by Christi Timberlake 13 hours ago.

What has your spouse screwed up?

Time to come clean! We're collecting stories for a new column in Old-House Journal, and we want to know if there's anything your better half has totally messed up during the course of your restoration. (If you're the one who screwed up, feel free to out yourself, too.) Bonus: We'll tell you how to fix the mistake in the magazine. Give us your best stories!Continue

Started by Clare Martin in The Old-House Attic yesterday.

Entryway light fixture 1907 Colonial Revival cottage

No need for perfection, just want something appropriate. Totally decorating challenged. 10' ceiling. Small area. Hanging? Flush? Etc etc TIA

Started by peggy hinkle in Old Houses: 1900-1945 yesterday.

congoleum linoleum rug

Hi,  I have a congoleum rug, still in the original roll.  It is 9 by 12.  I got it at a church rummage sale a few years ago and I need to sell it. I can't use it in my house and I know someone would love it  I can't find much information as to where to sell it and what price.  One end is still sealed, but the other end is open and there is some slight damage at the corner that is exposed, I assume the rest is still like new.  It needs to be professionally installed.  I would appreciate any…Continue

Started by donna vomacka in Old-House Products on Tuesday.

Ceiling Collapsed 20 Replies

Our ceiling collapsed Thursday morning at 2 a.m. . . . . no apparent event that would have triggered it. The house was built in 1946.  The ceiling material is a tad over 1/2 inch  . . 1/4 inch of a dark gray material with another 1/4 inch of a light gray material coated with 1/8 inch of white plaster.  A 1' X 1" weighs 5 lbs 1.30 oz. over 95% of the nails remain in the Joists that held the ceiling up.  Paper separates the ceiling from the joists and there is a paper that separates the two…Continue

Started by rocky klemm in Old Houses: Post-World War II. Last reply by rocky klemm on Friday.

Greek Revival Kitchen 15 Replies

I have an 1847 half a double in a small PA town. My kitchen was originally separate from the main house but was connected via a new dining room sometime in the Victorian times. The original floors are buried under asbestos tiles, followed by luan, with a final topping of old vinyl. I am at a complete loss as to what to do about cabinetry and flooring. Any suggestions on how to keep the historic value of the kitchen without giving up the comforts of 2010? Money is limited.

Tags: Revival, Greek, cabinetry, design, kitchen

Started by Jan in Old Houses: Pre-1900. Last reply by Jan Jun 14.

Need help identifying the architectural style / Kitchen Flooring & Counter Tops

Hello.  We recently purchased a 1919 home in Ft. Worth, TX.  I'm trying to identify the style.  It was suggested that it is Italian Renaissance but I'm not to sure of that.  This home is in the Ryan Place Addition and was built during the heyday of the neighborhood - with building occurring from 1911-1929 then stopping until the early 50's.  At that time, homes were being built for the top executives of the time.  Elizabeth Boulevard is home to some absolutely beautiful, very large mansions. …Continue

Tags: Kitchen Counter Top, Kitchen Flooring, Architectural Style

Started by Tanya Claire in Old Houses: 1900-1945 Jun 14.

Made the Historic Home Tour 1 Reply

Well, all the hard work was not for naught this past year and a half. Our house is being featured prominently on the annual Historic Home Tour. I do want to thank everyone here for the wonderful advice passed on to me. It made the work just a bit more easy to accomplish.Here is a link to one of the publications. The house is pictured on the inside cover, which is also the poster for the tour, as well as a discussion on page 15 "The Maloof House".Thanks again, and I look forward to learning more…Continue

Started by Bill Hendrickson in Old Houses: Pre-1900. Last reply by Phil Jun 13.