skip to main content

here are the most current remodel pics for our 1890 Victorian

17 years ago

We have been doing the kitchen and sunroom and master bath/closet. There are before and progress pics so far....will be finished in the next few weeks. All countertops are going in tomorrow. Hope you enjoy looking. Caroline

Here is a link that might be useful: 1890 house remodel

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Kathy Devlin
17 years ago
Very nice! Please post pictures when it is done.

Kathy
redbirds
17 years ago
Ahh, your kitchen is looking fantastic! We are getting ready to do ours with wood countertops and white cabinets, as well, I love that look. What wood did you use for the counters?

We also just uncovered a fireplace that cannot be used but we're going to clean it up and leave it exposed for decoration. So exciting, thanks for sharing, and keep us posted!
Related Discussions
Prettykitty's Classic Vintage White Victorian Lacanche Kitchen
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you for posting so many lovely, inspirational, and informative photos. I am extremely impressed by your kitchen, but actually, I was wondering if you could give me the paint colors you used for your exterior clapboards and trim--they look fantastic! tia, Alex indentured servant to an 1887 victorian, hoping to actually be done in 7 years.
...See More
Follow up:here are pics of our pine floors
Q
Comments (5)
Dawn, Didn't you say before that you thought your floors were fir, not pine? That's what they look like to me, at least the picture with the white paint blobs. Before I'd sand the floors, I'd try a variety of clean-up/ strip off test areas to see how the floors look without going down beyond removing the current finish (by stripping alone or in combination with a very light hand sanding). It might surprise you, how nice it could look. Do not put down any trial finishes on the test areas once they are clean. The areas may still look quite dull, though, without any remaining finish. To see how a the floor might look with a finish on it, you can try a quick wiped-on coat of mineral spirits or paint thinners. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS (if using solvent to get a quick test look) as you are creating a flammable condition and the floor and any rags used will be at risk of fire until it is all safely evaporated. Use lots of ventilation (fans to outside are good) and dispose of any rags/paper towels used in solvent test clean-up sealed in water-filled metal cans, for safety's sake. If you clean off a test square yard or so, you'll get a good idea of how your floor might look (vis a vis condition issues like dings, scratches, etc.) if you just have the current finish removed (along with any surface dirt, drips, etc.) The real test is in areas where you might have stains from water or other liquids that have penetrated whatever finish is on now. Those stains might be so deep and obtrusive that you might want to sand them down to make them disappear. The downside there (aside from loosing the overall patina) is that some may be so deep you can't sand them out anyway. There are ways to improve water stains using acids and bleaches, but they are not always successful. You could also, for a small area, remove a piece of the floor board and make a repair using a Dutchman to eliminate a really deep stain. I didn't see any cracks worth packing or filling. One other negative thing about sanding down the floor, you may still have darker lines along the edges of the floor boards that will be more annoyingly visible if the surface of the boards is sanded down to lighter, un-age-darkened wood. There is no way to get the cracks completely lightened up. Do you know what your floors are finished with, now? The options (for older materials) are varnish (most likely) or shellac. You can separate the two by seeing which one is alcohol soluble. (You can use any kind of alcohol from Stoli to rubbing alcohol, but probably not beer.) Shellac is alcohol soluble, varnish is not. You will be able to feel the disolving of shellac by the alcohol, because the wipe or rag will get a little tacky. Meanwhile, if your floors seem too grungy to live with you can scrub them if you are careful to get any water you use back up quickly. I use hot water and liquid dish detergent, not Murphy's Oil soap which can leave a residue, with a stiff scrub brush and a couple of bushels of machine washable cleaning rags and drying cloths. A much better solution is to use a powerful steam cleaner like a Ladybug or TidyVap. These are pricey, but I have found mine outstanding for heavy duty remodeling-type cleaning. I find most of the other uses posited for steam cleaners to be overblown, though. Perhaps you can borrow one from somebody to give it a try. The benefit of the steam cleaner is that it is much dryer than the scrub-and-wipe method; virtually no moisture is left on the surface. Also hot steam is great for removing grease. You certainly seem excited and energetic in learning about your neat old house and how to bring it back to it's former glory. Good luck with your projects, just remember you don't have to get it all done at once. Be sure to plan for plenty of non-work periods, so you can enjoy your house, and enjoy your life in it. (Perpetual remodeling can be hard on a marriage!) Molly~
...See More
Victorian home picture tour (Pic heavy)
Q
Comments (53)
I saw the photos of this masterpiece the first time around but was thrilled to sit through a more extensive tour - even if I had to remove my boots. Ha! newdawn, when we bought our house, the heating/lights/water bill here was more than our old house's mortgage! igloochick, you will have to put in intercoms for DS and any future ice cubes... My kids were young when we moved into our house and they would loose me. My house isn't nearly as big as your will be. We painted our house for $17,000. You have one lifetime project ahead of you.
...See More
Small kitchen remodel...what to do?? With pics.
Q
Comments (9)
I was out gathering samples today for prospective kitchen reno to a friends 50's era rowhouse. This is it: This where we think we are headed: This kitchen is about 9" on the window wall and 11" on the entrance wall. The interior door goes to the basement. The room is smaller than yours and you enter from the dining room (which is where the back door is) so no eat in requirements. I would think about pulling the fridge off of the "L" and building it in in the corner where the hutch is and then if you have enough space running a banquette between the enclosed side of the fridge and the wall with door to the patio on it. This set up uses the width of the room for the table and chairs and increases the counterspace and storage on the "L". Don't know about in your case but in the house I'm working on the neighbourhood has some family appeal and it is a first tme buyers area. I love small appliances but for first time buyers coming from apartments you want to be careful about using them as they sort of shout: Hey this house is small (they are often expensive as well). Good luck! I recommend using a for free layout software or graph paper and just start moving stuff around and see what you come up with.
...See More
User
Original Author
17 years ago
I just added a bunch of new photos today of the soapstone install and the cooktop and deepfat fryer install. Plumber comes at 7 AM to finalize all but the old tub.

We uncovered 2 chimneys as you can see in the photos. Kept the one with the mantle and firred out the wall infront of the other for the plumbing.

The countertops are teak. It works extremely well and is not nearly as expensive to get as granite. It is warm and wonderful and looks great with the old floor. We are going to treat it with waterlox . Caroline
sarahandbray
17 years ago
Looks GREAT, Caroline! I just went through the new pictures of the soapstone too! I can't wait to see the whole thing finished!

Is this whole process costing you a small fortune too, or is it just me? We had to give up on the floors, sadly, in the kitchen. Just too thin and spongy--there wouldn't be enough wood to ever sand again, and the flooring guy didn't think it would be wise to put a bunch of new, heavy appliances and cabinets over the floors anyway.

I'm almost embarrassed to tell you what species of wood I wound up getting to put overtop--completely not authentic or period at all--but I LOVE it!! Like a guilty sin!! I'll put it in parenthesees so maybe I won't get yelled at (brazilian cherry)!! I really have a strange dislike for oak...anything oak at all...so that was out. We can't afford the matching reclaimed--I paid $250 for 19sf of reclaimed SYP for patching (which is now a moot point)--and that's just too rich for our blood.

Needless to say, the one thing we were trying our hardest to save in the kitchen just didn't work out. But the coloring on the new floors is going to be so nice and I'm kind of excited about it (again, in a guilty way!). The rest of the house has the original floors, so I don't feel like we're doing the house a disservice.

Let me know how everything works out with the kitchen! Are you going to mineral oil the soapstone? And put tung oil on the teak? Can't wait to hear the rest of the plans--and then the final touches are always so much fun too!

Sarah
User
Original Author
17 years ago
sarah the cost of this has been staggering ! I had not added it all up til the other day...my husband says you earned it so spend it and enjoy it and also learn to accept "yes" as the answer...this is because I am always second guessing myself.

I think the choice of floor will be beautiful. If you walk into the room and smile and say Ohhh then that is what is important. If a "purist" says anything then show them the door !! LOL.

The soapstone got oiled last night but I like it cloudy and not so dark so I don't think I will do it often. I am using the Waterlox on the wood counters. I will start that tomorrow.

The Caldera is hooked up and I have been playing with the burners. The simmer is amazingly low. I have to work tonight at my son's restaurant...theyellowhammerrestaurant.com. So tomorrow will be the first time I can cook on it.

Good luck and keep me posted as to how it goes. We all have to stick together. Caroline
msafirstein
17 years ago
Just love your soap stone sinks!!!! Please keep us updated with your progress.

How come the Dog House is so big or is it something besides a Dog House? ;)
User
Original Author
17 years ago
msafirstein: you made me laugh...it is referring to "being in the dog house" ...you know in trouble !! LOL. He uses it as a study/music room...place to think. But...he is going to give it to me and my Sweet DIL to use as a craft house when all this remodel is finished.

There is a pic of the kitchen angel she made me in my kitchen pics. We also have 18 old windows that we are going to do something with and a bunch of bi-fold doors...so lots of projects to work on. I have never been "crafty" but this old house has brought out some recessive gene !!

Hope you liked the leaf pics too. I have been enjoying exploring the camera for other uses. CAroline

Related Stories

KITCHEN CABINETS Choosing New Cabinets? Here’s What to Know Before You Shop

By Ventana Construction LLC

Get the scoop on kitchen and bathroom cabinet materials and construction methods to understand your options

MOST POPULAR Is Open-Plan Living a Fad, or Here to Stay?

By Victoria Harrison

Architects, designers and Houzzers around the world have their say on this trend and predict how our homes might evolve

MOST POPULAR Kitchen of the Week: Swapping Out the 1980s for the 1890s

By Becky Harris

Beadboard-backed open shelves, a hearth-style stove surround and a roomy table are highlights of this Massachusetts kitchen

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Bright and Cheerful Updates to an 1890s Colonial Revival

By Danielle Sykes

Modern tweaks, including a kitchen overhaul, brighten a family’s home

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Iconic San Francisco Victorian Remodel

A neglected 1890 home in California is restored with respect for tradition and updates for modern convenience

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD The Kitchen of Tomorrow Is Already Here

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey reveals global kitchen trends with staying power

REMODELING GUIDES Global Architecture Style: Victorian

By Vanessa Brunner

Victorian homes grace almost every city in the world, but do you know their history? Here's the scoop on this grand style

MATERIALS The Most Popular Roofing Material is Affordable and Easy to Install

By Matt Clawson

Asphalt shingles, the most widely used roof material in the U.S. are reliable and efficient, and may be right for you

MUDROOMS Room of the Day: A Most Important 5- by 14-Foot Space

By Mary Jo Bowling

This busy mudroom is a lifesaver. Here’s how the designer found the space and made use of every inch

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Wondrous Steampunk Style for a Massachusetts Victorian

By Theresa Fine

Grab your aviator goggles. This trip through a 1901 home that blends sci-fi and bygone-era imaginings is a wild ride

Sponsored

Davidson Builders

1 Review

Franklin County's Full-Scale General Contractor

More Discussions

Updating suggestions please!

3

Before and after - antique cottage kitchen

26

Source for fluted glass?

7

Bungalow Small Kitchen Design-thought I had it, now I’m wavering!!

2

What bracing is required for screen porch posts with a knee wall

1