my home – Page 2 – Laura Anne Stone

Windows Pt. 4 – Sash and Exterior Trim Installation

With the repaired sashes and new casing frame compete, it was time to finally get rid of the chipboard window. We took final measurements, positioned the sashes, and restrung and hung the window weights. With the window stops all positioned correctly, we could install the new exterior trim. Although I’m sort of a purist when…

Windows Pt. 2 – New Casing Frame Installation

So with everything removed it was time to build a frame. Measuring the rotten and partially replaced structure in the wall would be extremely impractical if not impossible – and honestly just the thought of trying to figure out where everything went makes my stomach turn even now. So those geniuses, Jeremiah and his dad, used the old frame as…

A crap storm – literally

Before I get to the casing frame rebuild, did I mention it rained the night after we started this project? No? Oh, well let me elaborate. We went to bed sometime after midnight knowing the city was expecting rain. Except it wasn’t rain, it was a watery nightmare. A blowing, pouring, lighting-and-thunder show, movie-style nightmare…

Windows Pt. 1 – Discovery & Demolition

“I guess I’ll tackle these windows this weekend since I have Friday off,” said a man to his wife as they were about to embark on a harrowing project. The front windows had drippy upper sashes, we assumed because they were caulked and painted shut without being properly closed (hence the need for Window Wieners I made…

Quick and easy reupholstered dining chairs

Our lovely dining table was reupholstered sometime likely in the 1990s with a sort of satiny jacquard fabric in navy blue with a gold and red pattern. The table is so formal that I wanted something a little less formal to soften the room. I loaded up a cushion and headed to the upholstery and drapery…

Exploring the crawlspace

Vintage liquor bottles - LauraAnneStone.com

While attaching plywood to the basement wall so I could install wire shelves (more about that later), Jeremiah and his dad noticed some bottles in the crawlspace under the living room. The space spans the entire length of the house and about a third of the width, with the access panel being a little broken door panel located…

Cleaning woodwork

I’m grateful for the former owner’s restraint when it came to remodeling. I love that the bathroom tiles have crazing, I love that the floors creak, I even love that the bathtub has a round top that makes balancing shampoo and razors on the edge nearly impossible. The only thing I don’t love so much…

Mortise Locks

The front french doors didn’t latch in the living room so I dug out an old lock I found somewhere years ago. I thought “I’ll just switch these locks out really quick.” Nope. I keep forgetting that nothing is standard in this house. Sometimes, even when things look the same size, the don’t really “match”…