By Scott Sidler
A beadboard ceiling is one of the most common designs used in the construction of old houses because of its awesome versatility. Its tongue & groove design allows it to hold tightly together to keep the elements out and provides […]
By Scott Sidler
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about lead paint, so I wanted to try to address some of those questions to make folks feel a little safer in their old homes. If you live in a house built […]
By Scott Sidler
Today’s question comes from Jacques: “What would you recommend for plaster walls and wood trim/mouldings on a 90 year old house? My wife and I are planning on having kids, so we’d like to get the house lead free in a safe […]
By Scott Sidler
In America’s early colonial period, times were tough and architecture was not foremost on settler’s minds. Survival was the name of the game and the architecture of the time reflected that with simple utilitarian homes. By 1700, America’s population had grown […]
By Scott Sidler
This week’s question comes from…my wife. Seriously, she has been wanting me to write about this for awhile now. And yes, I’ll be sending her a free copy of my eBook as a thank you. Why are there pineapples carved on […]
By Scott Sidler
Some renovations drag on and on and on with no end in sight. Delays, revisions, inspections- they all conspire to make your project feel like it will never end. Or maybe you can’t get your project off the ground. You’ve […]
By Scott Sidler
This week’s question comes from Jeremy in Tampa, FL. “Why does no one use legitimate cedar or wood shake shingles anymore?…didn’t some of the older houses begin that way?” Good question Jeremy! I love the look of wood shingle roofs […]
By Scott Sidler
Recently, my wife and I went on vacation to the oldest city in America. Luckily, I have a wife who loves old buildings (almost) as much as I do! I wanted to share some of the history and pictures with […]