True Tales From Old Houses Stacy Grinsfelder

This week's episode begins with some quick updates about Daniel's cottage and an announcement from Stacy. Stacy and Scott Sidler are co-authoring a book about energy efficiency and old windows. With the first draft nearly finished, the book is moving right along. Stacy and Scott hope it will become a handy and trusted resource for anyone with a stake in preserving and restoring old buildings.
Next, during listener Q&A, Daniel and Stacy offer input on a kitchen window issue. The homeowner is planning a remodel and wants to place the sink in front of an original window. The problem is that the window is large and cannot fit behind the sink without being shortened or removed. Daniel weighs in with some pragmatic advice, and Stacy agrees. 
Finally, Stacy chats with Lee McColgan, author of A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial. Part memoir, part meditation, Lee's book offers an inspiring snapshot of falling in love with his 1700s home and learning the historic trades necessary to bring it back to life.  
Mentioned in this Episode:
Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop Weekend Retreat at Silver Lake: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. (New, lower prices!) How to leave a rating and review on Spotify The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (book) by Margareta Magnusson A House Restored by Lee McColgan Follow Lee McColgan on Instagram @HelveHistoricTrades A Place of My Own by Michael Pollan Enter to win a signed copy of A House Restored by Lee McColgan WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.
Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.
Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

This week's minisode is an emotional roller coaster.
First, Stacy and Daniel celebrate that the cottage is now for sale. Despite this exciting news, Daniel feels stressed about what comes next.
He laments that while the cottage is now spotless, his own home is a mess in the aftermath. Daniel believes that the volume of his stuff is reaching an uncomfortable level, and something must be done. Stacy suggests the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, but Daniel wants to sell everything instead. 
Next, Stacy offers a sad update on the Aurora Restoration Project, a ship currently docked in the California Delta. Its owner, Christopher Wilson, was a guest during episode #91 (February 27, 2023). 
Finally, Stacy and Daniel discuss the general ups and downs of buying and selling old houses. 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Learn to Restore Windows at the Wood Window Workshop Retreat in Silver Lake, NY - Choose your weekend: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. Book: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Episode #91 - The Aurora Restoration Project + Tips for Wallpapering Crooked Plaster Walls WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.

This week, a listener who owns a duplex wonders how to improve unsightly exterior paint issues while saving money to hire the pros. Stacy and Daniel offer DIY exterior painting tips and their thoughts on getting the job done safely and efficiently.
Later, Stacy and Daniel chat with KariAnne Wood from the long-running Thistlewood Farms blog. KariAnne's special connection to her old house and the town of McKinney, Texas, proves that when the stars align, you actually can go home again.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop Weekend Retreat at Silver Lake: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. (New, lower prices!) How to leave a rating and review on Spotify Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers (EPA guidelines) Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Airless Paint Sprayer 9 Critical Steps to Ensure a Long-Lasting Paint Job Sign up to have Thistlewood Farms blog posts sent directly to your inbox Follow KariAnne (Thistlewood Farms) on Instagram WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.
Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.
Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

In this week's minisode, Stacy offers a few stories from her trip to Japan, and Daniel reaches a huge milestone with the cottage.
First, Stacy opens up about her connection to Japan and how seeing Mount Fuji nearly brought her to tears. 
After a funny interlude about Japanese snacks, Stacy brings it back to old houses by describing a visit to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. The Edo-Tokyo was established in 1993 to relocate, reconstruct, preserve, and exhibit historical buildings of great cultural value under demolition order in their original locations. Over 30 historic homes and buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods have been moved and reconstructed on the property of this unique museum. 
Finally, huge news: Daniel's Bluestone Cottage is finished, and the listing goes live the first week of June! Daniel discusses his method of staging the cottage, which naturally goes against the conventional wisdom of "Keep it neutral." How much is too much when it comes to furnishings and soft goods? According to Daniel, that is of no concern.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum  Learn to Restore Windows at the Wood Window Workshop Retreat in Silver Lake, NY - Choose your weekend: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.

This week, Stacy and Daniel answer a listener's question about the history of canvas ceilings and the feasibility of repairing them. 
Later, Brooke Young Russell from Evergreene Architectural Arts joins Stacy for a fascinating conversation about the technical aspects and limitations of architectural conservation and how her research relates to historic preservation. 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop Weekend Retreat at Silver Lake: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. (New, lower prices!) Clara Barton House in Glen Echo, Maryland Wyoming State Capital (Portrayed as the Montana State Capital in the TV drama Yellowstone) Brutalist Architecture Dalle de Verre Technique (video) World of Concrete Convention Contact Brooke: brussell@evergreen.com Evergreene Architectural Arts WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.
Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.
Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

This week's minisode is off to a wild start, with Stacy and Daniel discussing their unconventional "words of the year."
Then, Stacy talks about her upcoming trip to Japan and shares a story about Google Translate and bidets. 
That segues unnaturally into a discussion about a common old house problem: animals that die in the walls. Daniel's house has largely escaped this issue. So, he has chosen an unusual way to honor the critters he finds during demolition.    
Finally, Daniel chats about wrapping up the cottage renovation with a punch list he calls The Apology Tour.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Travel to England with Stacy and Holiday Vacations in 2024. September 7 - 17, 2024. Discover royal history, magnificent palaces, and England's beautiful countryside--Book by May 18. Learn to Restore Windows at the Wood Window Workshop Retreat in Silver Lake, NY - Choose your weekend: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.
Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.