Not much going on lately. I'm still working on the porch door (I need to go pick up some glass for it), and I'll hopefully be getting fabric for the Master Bedroom curtains thanks to a friend of mine who lives in Ottawa (she knows who she is, and she rocks!) The fabric is from Ikea and it's called "Stockholm" in the beige tint. Basically it's a leaf and berry pattern (line work) in white on a beige background.
Also, I've tested out my aniline dyes (samples) that I was thinking of using for the vanity and I wasn't that thrilled about how they turned out (considering all the extra work involved), so instead, I'll be using a regular oil based stain in a dark mahogany (reddish brown). The colour is a special mix called "Cherry on Maple" (I note this here mainly for my own references).
The only other bit of news that I don't think I mentioned yet is that last Friday I picked up some keys. I had the Yale "night" lock re-keyed on the antique door (the salvaged one that was complete and in good shape), and had 3 keys cut for it, and I also got an antique style (but generic) skeleton key fitted to the lock for the porch door. This was super fun, and since it's a universal key, it also happens to fit 3 more similar Corbin locks in my inventory. It almost works on several others, but not quite. They did have other styles/shapes of these universal keys available, so depending which locks I end up using, I can get keys for them.
Showing posts with label Lock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lock. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Friday, May 04, 2012
Another Really Sad Reno Story
I was really *REALLY* bummed to see that this particular house ended up getting butchered.
This photo was taken just as they were starting to ruin it. You can still see the original windows/siding/door. Unfortunately they never did this street on Google Maps, so this is pretty much the only photo I have of it "before".
This was a rather unmolested original house in very good shape, just a block away from my place. I pass by it every day on my way to work. It had nice original windows, wood floors, nice arches inside (between the dining/living room), nice trim, etc.
Sadly, the house recently sold to some new owners (for around 117,000$), and the new owners started to completely ruin it.
They decided to board-up a few of the back windows (which you can see in the photo above), and install new siding on top of some already decent older siding (in perfectly good shape). This was when I started to feel really sad about the house. I didn't think it would get too much worst.
I was wrong.
A few days ago I noticed that they ripped out all the original windows and storm windows and replaced them with cheap Farley (Vinyl) windows from Home Depot.
But today was the most tragic butchery so far. They ripped out the beautiful old front door, as well as the door jamb (which they sawed in half).
The front door was especially nice since it was unpainted wood on the outside. Very few houses have unpainted doors.
Luckily, though, they had just propped-up the door in front of the large dumpster in the driveway, and when I came back from work it was still there. I grabbed it and brought it home. That bastard is INSANELY HEAVY. Like probably close to 50-60 lbs.
Of course what ended up replacing it was a cheapo metal clad door (which I think looks incredibly tacky/awful). I'll photograph the house again later so you can see for yourself.
Looking in the dumpster was even more sad. Rather than install insert windows (which just fit in the window openings - like I did), they must have bought the other type, so they ripped out all the original window mouldings, which were all in the dumpster. I decided to grab a few that were on top since these are SOLID FIR mouldings ($$$$$) and I can use the wood for my built-ins. I can only assume that they will be replaced with super thin, modern MDF cheapo ones.
I also saved 2 windows (most were smashed to pieces), and this coat-hook board:
One of the only window panes I could grab that wasn't broken.
I'm kind of curious to know what kind of lifting mechanism that these windows used to have, since they had these unusual slots in the sides.
I was very lucky to find the other parts that went with the door in the dumpster (right on top), such as the other half of the hinges, the door strike plate, and even the other half of the antique Yale lock (which sell for a pretty penny on eBay/Etsy). I absolutely LOVE the old lock. The only parts I'm missing are the two pins that hold the hinges together, but they were probably pitched in the dumpster with everything else (so I won't find them).
The interior side of the door is painted white, but I'll probably strip the entire thing (both sides) before I decide what finish(es) will go on it. The unpainted side is a bit rough, but definitely salvageable. Also, not visible in the photos, but the glass is old and wavy!
Here is the wonderful old lock. It was hard to photograph (low lighting) so it's a bit blurry, but the knob says YALE, and the locking "slider" is still there and works. I was VERY VERY happy to find the other half that attaches to the door frame. I will strip it and clean it, and it will be GORGEOUS. I can also get it re-keyed pretty easily.
This photo was taken just as they were starting to ruin it. You can still see the original windows/siding/door. Unfortunately they never did this street on Google Maps, so this is pretty much the only photo I have of it "before".
This was a rather unmolested original house in very good shape, just a block away from my place. I pass by it every day on my way to work. It had nice original windows, wood floors, nice arches inside (between the dining/living room), nice trim, etc.
Sadly, the house recently sold to some new owners (for around 117,000$), and the new owners started to completely ruin it.
They decided to board-up a few of the back windows (which you can see in the photo above), and install new siding on top of some already decent older siding (in perfectly good shape). This was when I started to feel really sad about the house. I didn't think it would get too much worst.
I was wrong.
A few days ago I noticed that they ripped out all the original windows and storm windows and replaced them with cheap Farley (Vinyl) windows from Home Depot.
But today was the most tragic butchery so far. They ripped out the beautiful old front door, as well as the door jamb (which they sawed in half).
The front door was especially nice since it was unpainted wood on the outside. Very few houses have unpainted doors.
Luckily, though, they had just propped-up the door in front of the large dumpster in the driveway, and when I came back from work it was still there. I grabbed it and brought it home. That bastard is INSANELY HEAVY. Like probably close to 50-60 lbs.
Of course what ended up replacing it was a cheapo metal clad door (which I think looks incredibly tacky/awful). I'll photograph the house again later so you can see for yourself.
Looking in the dumpster was even more sad. Rather than install insert windows (which just fit in the window openings - like I did), they must have bought the other type, so they ripped out all the original window mouldings, which were all in the dumpster. I decided to grab a few that were on top since these are SOLID FIR mouldings ($$$$$) and I can use the wood for my built-ins. I can only assume that they will be replaced with super thin, modern MDF cheapo ones.
I also saved 2 windows (most were smashed to pieces), and this coat-hook board:
One of the only window panes I could grab that wasn't broken.
I'm kind of curious to know what kind of lifting mechanism that these windows used to have, since they had these unusual slots in the sides.
I was very lucky to find the other parts that went with the door in the dumpster (right on top), such as the other half of the hinges, the door strike plate, and even the other half of the antique Yale lock (which sell for a pretty penny on eBay/Etsy). I absolutely LOVE the old lock. The only parts I'm missing are the two pins that hold the hinges together, but they were probably pitched in the dumpster with everything else (so I won't find them).
The interior side of the door is painted white, but I'll probably strip the entire thing (both sides) before I decide what finish(es) will go on it. The unpainted side is a bit rough, but definitely salvageable. Also, not visible in the photos, but the glass is old and wavy!
Here is the wonderful old lock. It was hard to photograph (low lighting) so it's a bit blurry, but the knob says YALE, and the locking "slider" is still there and works. I was VERY VERY happy to find the other half that attaches to the door frame. I will strip it and clean it, and it will be GORGEOUS. I can also get it re-keyed pretty easily.
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