The PO Follies

[osirus226]

Well, I just learned something new! Had no idea what a transom was prior to today.
What we're going to do is cover that doorway and tear off the porch that is on the back of the house. Its in very poor condition, and is sitting up on top of cinder blocks. We are going to reopen both of those windows, do you think I would be able to restore them to their original form, or close to? Theres this wierd cardboardy/ wood like stuff jammed in where the glass should be. Also the window that currently has the vinyl one installed inside of it has a very low sill.
Do you think it would be silly if we restore those 2 windows but then have vinyl everywhere else in the house? When we bought the place, all the windows were already in.
Sorry for all the questions.

[sooth]

Well, if you have vinyl windows everywhere else, you can certainly just install 2 more, since there's not much point in having just two old style windows. Especially since it looks like you only have 1/2 of one of the windows. You'd need to buy some custom made wooden ones if you want to go the authentic route (or make them yourself, but they have to be made in specific ways, and it's pretty ambitious even for a cabinetmaker).

So you're getting rid of the door and transom? Awww. What a shame.

[osirus226]

Yeah, the door and the transom are going to be taken out. I know my mason was there today taking the frame out before he started bricking up so if he didn't destroy the transom I'll hang on to it. Then, we'll get 2 windows again instead of just that one teeny tiny one.
The thing I love about this kitchen is the mega high ceilings.

[melissakd]

Actually you can get old sash, you just have to build the frame for them to go in, which is not as hard. (It might still be pretty hard; I've never done any such thing.)

I notice your kitchen used to be green. I have a theory that every house of a certain age has either that green (example: My grandma's house) or a sort of oyster pink (my house) in its past. So I'm tickled to see it in your kitchen.

High ceilings are great when it's hot! Transoms were handy for letting that hot air out, although frequently they were set up to tilt open along a horizontal centerline, if you see what I mean, so that you couldn't install a screen to keep the flies out. Of course the porch was the most effective appliance for peeling potatoes, etc. without broiling to death yourself. But cinder blocks? Really? How long did they expect that to last? I'm often guilty of assuming that everything done in the past was done well, but some POs seem not to have grasped the whole concept of long-term planning.

MelissaKD

[jwesevich]

Meh, I wasn't able to get a shot that shows how much of the corner actually got demoe'd... Looks pretty tame here


We asked that they shore up the corner from the other side, but this was easier, I guess...


The cut pipe was a nice touch...when we first saw it, there was a 220 line taut against the big pipe


Anyways, not as horrible as most, but at least it explains the cracked kitchen tiles...

jeff

[osirus226]

Melissa,
So funny about the green color because I also think that every house built around this time has this green paint somewhere. My fathers home is also built in the 20's and he's got the green in his place too.
The transom is still intact so I can pass it on to someone else hopefully.
About that porch, I just don't know what the thought was there. Its unfortunate that we have to remove it but its in such terrible condition.

[melissakd]

The latest entry is this attractively carpeted fireplace, from DMeyer's mother's new project. He assures us that yes, the gas logs are connected.

[Daniel Meyer]

The latest entry is this attractively carpeted fireplace, from DMeyer's mother's new project. He assures us that yes, the gas logs are connected.

Yes...I kept looking to see that it *really* was hooked up. (sigh).

Here it is in all its glory (for the full effect)


Oh, and I found a case of these, just for good measure. Probably expired about 1970...

[sooth]

OMG!

And I love how the box says: "Contents: One Undie."

[lisascenic]

Oh, gracious!