Slateberry, from your pics, I'd say the two side windows and the area around the pause marks is original--the colors look right, and it is a pain to change out old glass with stained--I've done that on my main parlor window--as high up as that looks, it would be even tougher--so I bet it's original. As to the balcony, do the prints show spindles, or are they just calling the knee-wall a railing? Worthy, the big draw in old homes for most buyers IS the original details--they are unmatchable today without huge cost--and add significantly to resale value if they are still there for the next owners. Don't care about stuff like that, then why are you in such a house? Newer is usually cheaper to keep up; don't care if you risk losing prospective buyers by altering your house's original details--then go ahead and kiss your dollars goodbye. As to style--old houses tend to be well-built and appeal because of their design--and that is something which anyone can appreciate--don't you have an idea when something appeals to you or when it doesn't? If you change exterior features a house just won't 'look' right, and the parts which don't fit will become obvious as you look hard at a place. Most old house buyers have a basic idea of what fits or appeals to them, and want houses which preserve as much of that charm as possible. I had a vague idea of the different styles, but I educated myself during my years in my house--you just need to look at a few plan books to get an idea; the one thing I KNEW when house hunting was this: I grew up in a 50's ranch, and would never buy such a house for myself--I had to have two stories, and something with some character inside, not just boxes with basic trim as I'd grown up in.

Hello iris21, Thank you for your compliment! If I can paint on glass or anything else for that matter, YOU can! My husband and I bought an old schoolhouse and turned it into our home. We had coatrooms in each classroom and in one room we set our counter, stove and fridge back into the coatroom, and above that work area we were installing a wall up to the 11' high ceiling. He set the window into the wall above my work area. (I found this window in someones garbage it is 6' wide and about 24" in height, I placed a florescent light behind it and we use it for a night light in the kitchen at night or just turn it on when company comes for a wonderful effect. (I have other pics of our home if you wish to see them) We all love renovations! The Sea Trout pic is coming up in a local auction in my town on Sept 4 & 5. I taught myself how to do the gallery glass painting and love a good challange. Nothing less! You should invest in a few bottles of the paint and give it a try! This is only one of the many, many crafts and ideas that I have, and love to share! Thanks for asking! Deborah

Get a holder for single edged razor blades. Many auto parts stores have a type that has blade storage in the handle and a long shaft. I like that type better than the fold away metal holders. Use the scrapers as soon after removing the tape and when the finish has started to set. Material will have a tendency to stick to the blade of the razor. Getting it off safely can be done by having a rag handy. Lay the rag on a flat surface, hold the far end, and drag the blade away from the hand to clean.

Using copper pipe, is there a better metal stake I can use?