Oregon Craftsman: Sharon and John Javna turned a home on the verge of being condemned into their dream home. Located in downtown Ashland, Ore., the home was so unstable it could be moved back and forth with the push of a hand. Fortunately, the Javnas were not as easily swayed as their home. They called on carpenter Jim Hand to restore the sagging floors and repair the roof, taking the home from rags to riches.
Newburyport Federalist: With changing times comes changing needs, especially when restoring a home that dates back to 1804. Once homeowners Sandy and Ray Nippes recognized the potential of their Federalist-style home, they set out to restore it to period. Finding some of the original sashes and shutters in the basement allowed the Nippes to replace the home's modern windows. Restoring the nine fireplaces, however took a little more time and research. Architect Andrew Sidford helped the Nippes to make the best use out of the home's outdated floor plan and now the couple can live comfortably in a tastefully restored period home.
Tips, Terms and Tradesmen
In The Details: Door Maker
Often overlooked, a front door is an important element to an old house. Charles "Mac" McRaven is a restoration specialist who appreciates the craftsmanship of well-made doors. Working in his Virginia shop, McRaven creates authentic doors using recycled heart pine lumber, hand-hammered hardware and Old World techniques such as tongue-in-groove construction.
Problem Solver: Flipping Bricks
Sometimes a conflict arises when trying to restore an old home's features but also wanting the results to be aesthetically pleasing. Homeowner Kathy Liston was confronted with the problem of whether or not to restore unsightly bricks that dated back to 1832. The solution was to remove the bricks and flip them so the damaged sides faced inward.
Terms:
- Mortise lock -- A lock recessed into the frame of a door where the mortise is the hole the lock fits into.
- Crenelations -- Castle-like wall or roof details popular on Tudor homes.
- Pent roof -- A roof with only one sloping plane, like the roof on a shed dormer.
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