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Washington and High Street c. 1930; courtesy the Tides Institute

DIVING INTO HISTORY (PART 1)

October 9, 2022

Last fall we were called in to tackle a project in Eastport that involved the total restoration of the front door surround in a very old Federal era cape prominently located on Washington Street. The homes current owner wished the work done as a gift to the residents of the island city.

 
Water Street shower/bath

Bathrooms With History

November 27, 2021

It’s been a while since our last blog; more than one pandemic ago. Who knew that we would be considered essential workers? We safely navigated shutdowns and mask mandates while working our way through six consecutive bathroom projects.

 
The Holmestead c.1890 photo from the St. Croix Historical Society archives. This photo and others were used to discern various details.

Fall Newsletter

October 3, 2019

2019 began with a kitchen and pantry renovation of a century old cottage in Red Beach, following the completion of a Perry seaside cottage bath. We then moved on to Phase II of the portico entrance restoration at the ‘Holmestead’ in Calais. That done, we are about to begin an Eastport bathroom restoration in an 1899 Queen Anne style home.

 
Our client's oak table and crank phone fit right in with the new period kitchen

The Cottage (part 2)

August 1, 2019

When the Red Beach cottage was built and by whom is still an open question. It has been added to and altered a number of times during its long life. Census records suggest occupation on that site as early as 1910. Structural tells found during the demo phase; square nails, hand planed beaded moldings, lath and plaster marks and extra wide old growth pine sheathing suggest an earlier date - 1860 to 1880.

 
Our Perry house was built by Nathaniel & Mary Golding c.1893. Their youngest son, Jim is pictured in the foreground c.1898.

Restoration Tales

September 7, 2018

This year our 1890's restored farmhouse was really starting to show her age. After all, it's been nearly 15 years since her last paint job. So, following a relaxing spring sojourn in our old stomping ground, Sag Harbor, we decided it was time to 'pencil her in.' And what better time to 'pretty her up' than to coincide with the celebration of our adopted hometown's 200th birthday.

 
Our first kitchen featured a large custom pine pantry.

In Like a Lion

April 5, 2018

We just returned back from a ‘spring’ trip to the Hamptons; staying in a circa, 1810 Federal in our old hometown of Sag Harbor. This home was the site of our very first kitchen and baths renovations, some 20 years ago. Our former clients have become longtime friends.

 
Historic photo of our home with members of the Golding family.

Wrap-up

December 1, 2017

This year we were fortunate to work with clients whose goals leaned strongly towards preservation and restoration. These are special opportunities for us. Successful hunts for antique hardware, lighting and appliances; plus following the home's ancient 'tells' made these projects especially authentic. A bit of magic always happens when a room or project comes to feel as though it has always been that way.

 
The historic Holmestead circa 1856.

Summer Newsletter

August 19, 2017

Our latest kitchen and pantry project in the historic, circa 1850, Benjamin R. Jones home in Dennysville and detailed in the blog, 'Square Nails and Tells', now has its finishing touches. Our clients took a trip down to historic Little Compton, RI and the Antique Stove Hospital to pick up their freshly rehabilitated kitchen stove.

 
Our recreated 1930s kitchen photographed by Michael D. Wilson for Down East magazine.

From our kitchen to yours

June 1, 2017

We are pleased to announce that our restored 1890s farmhouse is featured in the June issue of the Maine based publication, Down East magazine. Just after the holidays we were contacted by the magazine's senior editor, Virginia Wright who pitched us her idea.

 
Looking into the kitchen from the restored pantry.

Square Nails and Tells (part 1)

May 28, 2017

It's good that our current kitchen restoration is almost finished, as we have nearly depleted our stash of assorted antique square nails. For the sake of authenticity, they've been 'driven' into a new home; the historic c.1850, Benjamin R. Jones house, in Dennysville, on the town road leading to the Narrows.

 
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