Search found 963 matches

by Texas_Ranger
Fri Oct 01, 2021 8:41 pm
Forum: Neighborhood Introductions
Topic: 1937 Icelandic Summer Cottage
Replies: 6
Views: 2356

Re: 1937 Icelandic Summer Cottage

Some of the large German manufacturers do gloss black switches and sockets, although in modern style (I'm fairly certain Jung does, I know Siemens does and there might be more). THPG sells round bakelite accessories at a steep price but they're reasonable replicas of 1930s designs. Schneider Renova ...
by Texas_Ranger
Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:30 pm
Forum: Construction Zone
Topic: Introducing "Pumpkin's Castle"
Replies: 36
Views: 12056

Re: Introducing "Pumpkin's Castle"

I'd think restoring the existing fixtures should be a lot cheaper than buying restored ones - unless you hate the old ones and want to replace them anyway.
by Texas_Ranger
Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:48 pm
Forum: District Common
Topic: Video: Plaster & Lath (European)
Replies: 0
Views: 9070

Video: Plaster & Lath (European)

Youtube led me to a very neat Danish video on traditional plaster & lath as it's done in central and Northern Europe. The channel has plenty more fascinating videos on historic construction techniques but without understanding Danish, they're more entertaining than educational I guess (I don't under...
by Texas_Ranger
Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:43 pm
Forum: Construction Zone
Topic: Matching the old Bathroom fixtures
Replies: 39
Views: 8918

Re: Matching the old Bathroom fixtures

There are inline thermostatic mixer valves that you can install underneath the sink to make sure the temperature from the hot tap is right. The original bath I grew up with was worn right down to the cast iron and had a deep groove along the bottom where the finish was gone. My parents had it refini...
by Texas_Ranger
Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:24 pm
Forum: Neighborhood Introductions
Topic: 1900s American Foursquare
Replies: 52
Views: 16380

Re: 1900s American Foursquare

I suppose as a short-term measure painting those German oak kitchen fronts would improve things considerably! Finishing oak in such a grim shade of brown was a fashion trend in the late 19th century I believe, usually combined with leaded glass. I can't say I like the original style either. The 1980...
by Texas_Ranger
Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:42 pm
Forum: Construction Zone
Topic: From Old House to Old House
Replies: 15
Views: 4217

Re: From Old House to Old House

Proud of vinyl - sigh - what a world, what a world... Years ago I read a book about a real German city family moving to rural Maine in the second half of the 1980s, settling in an old farm house. One of the first things they do, and are immensely proud of, is have the entire house wrapped in vinyl ...
by Texas_Ranger
Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:35 pm
Forum: Construction Zone
Topic: 1937 Colonial Revival Ressurection
Replies: 17
Views: 4925

Re: 1937 Colonial Revival Ressurection

Some people do DIY slate, even without any prior experience - Tim from The Restoration Couple on Youtube did his complete roof this year! In rainy Britain no less.
by Texas_Ranger
Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:27 pm
Forum: District Common
Topic: The dangers of open concept in old homes.
Replies: 2
Views: 781

Re: The dangers of open concept in old homes.

Buildings collapsing during renovations aren't a new thing though. For example, a 17th-century house in Vienna collapsed in the mid-1930s while bricklayers were enlarging a window opening on the ground floor. Miraculously, no one was injured if I remember correctly.
by Texas_Ranger
Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:02 pm
Forum: Construction Zone
Topic: Gothichome, the restoration of.
Replies: 730
Views: 302283

Re: Gothichome, the restoration of.

Texas, the panel is recessed into the the door. The OG piece brings the trim up to the level of the door rails and stiles the flat hides the seam and the half round adds the extra hight and detail. Yeah, my point was that our doors don't have any seams and no trim pieces that protrude over the face...
by Texas_Ranger
Wed Sep 30, 2020 1:47 pm
Forum: District Common
Topic: What is this?
Replies: 14
Views: 1689

Re: What is this?

Aren't ball catches more likely to be on the door rather than the jamb? It seems a bit low down to me too, below the bottom hinge as far as I can tell from the pictures. Unscrew it and see if it's a switch!