This big blog on building bathrooms is coming to you from the floor of The Remodeling Show where I am delivering several demonstrations on (can you believe it) building bathrooms. Among the many topics I'll hit--everything from how to deal with Swiss-Cheesed floor framing (a perennial old house challenge) to the differences between minimum code requirements and minimum design recommendations and insulation tips--I'll also address a simple-ish way to upgrade ...

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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, ...

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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 ...

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