Trace Old House Origins Through Restoration Clues
Architectural historian Antoinette Downing explains how land and building records, maps, inventories, and period materials reveal a house’s age and period style. Tax records, saw marks, and hand made moldings help distinguish authentic 17th and 18th century features from modern restorations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Antoinette Forrester Downing
American Institute of Interior Designers
John O.curtis
Old Sturbridge
Sturbridge
Mass
Curtis
Blueprint Designing Only Part Of Architect's Work
The article explains how modern architects act as business executives guiding design, financing, site selection, and project management. It details fee structures including percentage of costs, lump sums, and cost plus arrangements, with example payments and the architect’s role from preliminary plans to construction inspections and guarantees.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edwin E. Fairfield
American Institute of Architects
Noisy old plumbing and culture trends collide in feature
A public service style piece explains why running water in old homes often makes noises from faucets to heaters and outlines remedies from air chambers to venting. A second feature by Vivian Brown explores the 1960s cultural craze as art becomes a popular status symbol indoors and outdoors with buyers chasing what is “in” and asking if favorites like Chagall fit the trend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Andy Lang
AP News
Artland
Anyone Can Tackle Chair Upholstering Techniques
Modern materials let amateurs reupholster chairs. Key steps include removing old padding, cleaning the frame, installing rubber webbing, shaping foam cushions, attaching muslin strips, stapling fabric, and finishing with upholstery braid for a smooth, durable result.
Stands Up Well Rattan Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor rattan holds its shape and resists weather. Coating annually with spar varnish boosts durability and extends life.
Plywood Varish Finish Question and Advice
A reader asks if plywood should take varnish and whether paste wood filler is needed before finishing. The correspondent recalls previous experience with birch plywood and seeks guidance on achieving a smooth varnish finish without pronounced grain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Andy Lang
Finishing Birch Plywood Surfaces With Varnish
The guide explains finishing birch plywood with varnish. It notes birch is close grained and needs no filler or special sealer, though a liquid sealant may be used lightly. Emphasizes following varnish container instructions and ensuring a clean smooth surface.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Hliving
Wren rAes
Mae
Oto Ou
Emiee
Center
Hali
Fenick Vogel
W. 48Th St
New York
N.Y
Champion Home Improvement, Inc
Water Street
Saco
Ecw. Inc
Saco Brick Company
North Street
Saco, Maine
Sam’s
Alfred Street
Biddeford
Redimix
Sakrete Cements
Deering
Elm Street
Cartel Potnetes
Saco Hardware and Supply Company
Pepperell Square
By Vivian Brown
Perdoneme
Picasso
Valasquez Greco
Greenwich Village
Ozarks
Western Pine
Gainsborough
Chagall
Matisse
Degas
Renoir
Dali
Biddeford-Maine Hardware
Dupont
Maine Hardware
Maine Linoleum CO
Vic’s
Maytag
Kelvinator
Whirlpool Appliances
Main Street
Percy
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!