home improvement tips

Sep
11
Designing historically-inspired lace curtains, ex post facto. Again, full disclosure on my part; I own a lace curtain company, and I select and sell historic lace curtains appropriate for the Victorian, Arts & Crafts and Art Deco periods. If this post appears to be self-promoting, I’m not going to deny it. But then again, I’m fulfilling a need… I’ve been selling lace curtains to old house owners (and tenants) for over seventeen years, ...
Sep
10
I wanted to install a standing seam metal roof on my porch. I’ve repaired and restored them, but I’ve never installed one.  From inspections, I had a pretty good understanding of installation practices that work. I also study and research historic building materials and methods as part of my career - and for fun.  I have a nice collection of old books, some with great illustrations. Looking at prefabricated, pre-finished roof ...
Sep
02
It’s that time of year, when architectural salvage and antiques are in the air… I have no idea where the readership of my blog resides, but I’m based in New England. Those of us in the Northeast who are involved with the Old Stuff Biz are aware of a thrice-yearly phenomenon known as Brimfield. More formally, it’s entitled The Brimfield Antique and Flea Market Shows. The town of Brimfield itself is based ...