Hagerstown Stone House

Hagerstown Stone House: Their 1762 stone house was not quite the "Rock of Gibraltar" owners Pat and Dave Schooley had hoped for. Not easily swayed, the owners of this Maryland house were steadfast in pinpointing the restoration challenges and solving them.

Second Empire Victorian: Homeowners Jay Divine and Kim Cerny knew they had their work cut out for them when they bought their St. Louis home. After all, they could see daylight through the holes in the roof and the walls. Nonetheless, with some help from contractor Steve Souder they proved to be up to the challenges.

Grove City Queen Anne: This Pennsylvania house finally gets the love and attention it needs from homeowner Mike Adams. Built in 1891, the home passed through many owners and received many modifications before Adams bought it with the goal of restoring it to its past glory.

Carriage House Makeover: Homeowner John Mason pulled out all the stops to turn a 7,000-square-foot carriage house and blacksmith shop into an eclectic single-family home. Mason recruited artisans from around the world, and with the help of architect Gene Grulich turned this former outbuilding into a palatial home.

Tips, Terms and Tradesmen

In The Details: Tile Maker
Ceramic tiles are a beautiful feature found in many older homes. If the original tiles can't be restored, Phil Raskin of North Prairie Tileworks can replicate any tile using a century-old technique. Raskin's handcrafted tiles, made in his Minneapolis shop, can bring a special touch back to any home.

Problem Solver: Enhancing a Porch
After all the interior work is completed on a home restoration, it's time to turn attention to the exterior. A home's curb appeal can be greatly enhanced by its porch, as seen on the 1920s farmhouse above. Contractor Andrew Bailey created some methods to improve the Victorian roots of this home and also discovered some of the home's original features.

Terms

• Sheathe - The sheathe of a house is a layer of covering boards or panels next to the structural framework.
  
• Rafter tail - The part of a rafter that sticks out past a wall to support an eave.
  
• Rake - The rake is the slanting edge of a roof, usually seen on the gable end of a house.