When I drive along rural roads, I sometimes come upon old farm buildings that have been abandoned long ago. I’m often surprised to find that although the wood is weathered and gray, the siding, trim, window sash, and sills are still remarkably sound. Why is this, when I’ve seen just as many 10- to 15-year-old [...]
In order to know how a house functions, we also need to know how the surrounding landscape affects it. Shrubs, flowers, trees, gardens, and sidewalks—most of which probably weren’t there when the house was originally built—all can contribute to excess moisture that can damage a structure. Many of these landscapes were probably put in place [...]
Blending old and new is often the most difficult part of adding onto a vintage house—but for architectural historian Joan Lawrence, adding a sense of history to a new kitchen and dining room for her 1882 Carpenter Gothic house was easy, thanks to her passion for architectural salvage. “The house was built as a modest [...]
In August 2011, David and Susanne Neiblum opened their electricity bill to find a pleasant surprise: It was for $7—the total cost for one month of the electric company’s service charges for their 6,700-square-foot home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The energy payday was the result of the three and a half months the Neiblums spent [...]
After moving into a new home, you’ve likely never had to ask yourself which end of the hayloft should hold the pool table, or whether a choir balcony will fit two twin beds or one. You’ve probably never shopped for kitchen fixtures in a railroad yard, either. But others have. Lured by the frisson of [...]
