Book Reviews: 'Victorian Exterior Decoration: How to Paint Your Nineteenth-Century American House Historically'

   Since the start of the escrow on our Victorian house Missy and I have started researching Victorian houses and the history that led up to that era, 1860 to the turn of the century.  I listed here a short review of some our current favorites, and a few other books on renovation and restoration.  This is only the tip of the iceberg, we will have more to come. 

Victorian Exterior Decoration: How to Paint Your Nineteenth-Century American House Historically  by Roger Moss and Gail Caskey Winkler. Published in 1986 and available at Amazon.com.

   I listed this first because it is the best! A must read for all you Vickies out there. Very well written with lots of pictures, charts, and floor-plans. It explains why the Victorians painted their houses the way they did, new trends and limited color pallets that was available.  It is extremely detailed, including accurate hardware, fabrics, and furniture.  Great stuff and a must read.

First Week ~ The Floors

     After accepting Andy's estimate for the floors (Northwest Hardwood Floors), he set to work the very next day prepping.  Unfortunately there were a few complications involving the grinding process.  Andy had given the floors a test patch with his grinder and we all became aware of just how many times this original ol' Douglas Fir had been sanded down.  The nails were protruding between planks, which meant we either abandoned the idea of using the original flooring and look into laying down a new floor, or we manually hammer in every nail individually.  On top of this issue, there was the old almost plaster-like substance that had been used (who knows how many years prior) to fill cracks between the boards.  This old cracked white colored "stuff" refused to take any stains.  Decisions needed to be made on what exactly we wanted to do, stick with the original flooring and put in the hard work, or spend the big bucks on a brand new hardwood floor.  Regardless, Andy let us know this will be the last and final time this floor will be able to take a grinding.

     After talking everything over with Andy and many phone calls with Missy, we decided we wanted to keep the original floors.  So Mary, Andy, and I set to work chipping away at the grout between the cracks and hammering down nails.  It was hard work, I ended up buying knee pads to try and save myself the pain but it barely helped.  After two days of working section by section, Andy was finally ready to begin the fine sanding/buffing.  After a day of buffing, he began laying down the first coat of a nice amber seal.  We were so impressed by how well it turned out that we worked out another job with Andy.  Missy and I decided to keep hardwood floors throughout the upstairs as well.  As our next project we will remove the old (mauve colored) carpet in the upstairs bedrooms, and have the Hemlock floors underneath receive the same treatment as the downstairs.  Can't wait!

This is what the floor looked like in the dinning room. Uneven and covered with various stains.

Andy's equipment in the parlor after the first grinding.

After several passes with Andy's German built Panzer floor sander and a buffing with a fine grit mat the first coat of sealer goes on.

Escrow closes and we get to work!

     April Fools' Day and we now officially own the "McBeth House" in Port Townsend, Washington.  I hope we are not fools. The 1890's house is a bit of a fixer-upper, but a lot of work has been done by the previous owners.  Best improvement being that the house was raised up about 3 feet and a new basement and foundation were put in. New electrical system with outlets every 5 feet or so throughout the house. Steps were repaired, hand-rails added, rain gutters and many smaller improvements.  The inspectors have approved it for habitation, which was a huge relief to us.

    Missy and I were still on our ranch in California when we email signed PDF files to our real estate agent and escrow company.  We both began packing up tools, air mattresses, cups, plates, and flatware, plus several gallons of paint we picked out for the parlor, dining room, and great hall.

   Unfortunately, only my daughter Mary will be able up with me on this trip. Missy has to work with our daughter Lily on college stuff and Molly is still recovering from having her wisdom teeth removed.  Mary and I are excited to get to work though.  With my new Ford Transit Connect loaded to the gunnels,  we got a late start on Sunday and begin a two day trek up I-5 to Port Townsend, WA.

    We finally arrived Monday afternoon in PT, I eagerly pick up the keys to what I hope will be a new chapter in our lives.