The built-ins are lovely; she had excellent taste in wall coverings. The Chinoiserie paper in the dining room staged with the Chippendale faux bamboo chairs look "fresh" and "up to date" with today. We occasionally get similar time capsules in my neighborhood (built in the late 1920s to 1940s, mostly), halfway across the country. However, it is getting more and more rare to find a time capsule -- or its one of a mid 1970s update.

"Around here if I see "newly renovated in 2006" that's a big red flag that there was probably major hurricane damage, for example." it may also indicate that the structure has been brought up to the present code requirements. Except in limited cases, a building only has to meet the code that was in effect when it was built. After that it is 'grandfathered' for code changes. Without grandfathering we would all be rewiring every three years, and making all sorts of structural changes every time a new code revision occurred. When a building permit is pulled for remodeling or major repairs, the new work often must comply with the present code since the grandfathered items have been destroyed or removed. A few localities have done things like require GFCI receptacles on all kitchen counter outlets as a condition of sale since they are a huge safety upgrade, not very expensive, and can be retrofitted without wiring changes. California has required earthquake upgrades on sale in some locations. Large hurricanes in Florida often manage to destroy (or severely damage) older structures) giving the local a AHJ a shot at enforcing change sin the building code when repair and restoration occur.

Kiki!!!! So glad to see you have appeared on the scene. Upgrading to 200 amp service is a great idea. And having a pro do it is the ONLY way to go. Be sure the paint job is done with lots of drop cloths to protect your lovely newly finished floors. We are doing the floors last, after the major portion of painting is done. But you do what you gotta do. If you have an option to have the kitchen done before you move in, ....that is, you have the time AND the money, decide what you need done and get it done before moving in. All of that work requires tearing into stuff, and lots of dust and cleaning chemicals and new flooring. You might even find that underneath the old flooring is good oak wood which can be refinished with the rest of your house. Lots of folks are going that route these days. If you decide to move in and do it later, a good contractor could get it done in a couple of weeks. That would be a good time to take a vacation. BUT, the dust would get all over everything in your house even if they are careful. it is easier to have workmen tromping around and through an EMPTY house than it is one you have treasured items in. Just the way I look at it. But very pleased to see you back with us. All of us here are passionate about your house. We love to hear what is happening.

Thanks, everybody! Texasgal47, I hired a landscape architect to design paths, patio, and plantings. I'm good at colors and interiors, but I have *no* gardening sense and, as a design matter, have no ability to think in the 4th dimension: TIME! I can't picture what plants will look like in combination with each other through the seasons and in years to come. I originally hired a landscape architect, as opposed to just a landscaper, because even though the yard is small and looks pretty much flat, we needed to do some complicated things with drainage and levels and I wanted to be sure none of the needed excavating was going to make the 1922 garage fall down. The whole thing is now a miracle of perfect drainage, with water from uphill going through new drains and sheeting across the walks and patio and all going to a new rain garden hidden among the dogwoods. I am, indeed, a very happy camper - and a broke one - but I'm feeling much better than before about the integrity of the envelope of the house, between proper preparation and extensive caulking by the painters and the clever drainage solutions by Ryan the landscape architect.