Pro Tip: Hide your backsplash plugs and switches 👍

Stunner Alert: Vintage inspired kitchen design and remodel featuring @houseofrohl @verona_kitchen_appliance @veronaappliances @shawsoflondon 😍

Can we go back to the "good old days" - basic appliances that last. No software, no WiFi, smart features, etc? 👍

I'm back again with another radiator question. We hired a painter who went rogue and painted our golden, ornate cast iron radiators. He says he used special radiator paint and color matched it, but it looks nothing like the original gold.

We want our radiators looking the way they did before, or at least, we want them looking historic. Does anyone have recommendations for authentic looking gold (or other) radiator paint?

Thanks,

Eliza

I have two questions:

1) In my dining room, we have cast iron hot water baseboard radiators that wrap around the room. We also have an antique wooden corner cabinet that we would like to put in the corner of the room (for much-needed storage). However, we are worried that putting the cabinet in the corner with the baseboard radiators will start a fire or damage the cabinet.

Is this a bad idea? If we leave 2 inches of clearance, would that be okay? How much clearance is the minimum?

2) Elsewhere in our house, we have standard, free-standing non-baseboard radiators. We would like to put slabs of marble or other stone on top of them, so we can put plants, lamps, etc. on top of them. Is this a bad idea?

Thank you,

Eliza

Need a "new" old door? This video covers the initial fit and final adjustments to install a new wood door BUT retaining all the original lock and hinge locations - so it looks like it has ALWAYS been there!

1) Once the original hinge locations on the jamb were established,

2) we transfer them to the the new custom wood door.

3) Then its time to do an initial fit in the opening, and assess the final hinge locations on the door frame.

4) Lastly, we'll perform final carpentry and door adjustments, proper gaps, lock set locations, and prepare for the next step -

5) Final mechanicals and mortise lock set installation.

It looks like its always been there!

https://www.myoldhousefix.com/videos/wood-door-installation-old-house-restoration

#wooddoor #oldhousedoor #wooddoorinstallation #wooddoortools #carpentry #oldschoolcarpentry #oldhouserenovation #myoldhousefix

We removed the siding and was pleasantly surprised to find most of the original siding intact. I think we replaced 4 pieces total. Then made repairs to the exterior, had correct trim milled and installed, removed a 1970s porch enclosure, restored the concrete steps and original stone wing walls, stripped all the old lead paint and repainted. And there ya go...a totally different looking house from what we started with (simple 1890 Folk Victorian).

Sometimes you just have to look past the "current state" and picture the future state to see the true potential!

𝟭) In one hand - you hold the Cobra 1 inch off the work surface, for the initial release of paint (3-5 sec) then

𝟮) Immediately back about 6-10" off the surface and hold that "𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁" there (just off to the side) to keep the paint hot/soft (without charring) while with the other hand - you finish scraping and removing ALL of the paint within the heated area.

👍 This method keeps you from damaging/charring the wood with a 2nd or 3rd "direct heat" pass (1 inch off surface), where the wood is no longer protected by the old paint.

𝗣𝗥𝗢 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝘀: Create a "workflow" - after backing the heat off on Step #2. Slowly move along your work surface to create a constant workflow so you don't have to start and stop.

Always practice on some scrap wood, before you go "live" on your project wood, which may be irreplaceable...and ALWAYS wear your PPE.

More info on infrared paint strippers and paint stripping here -

https://www.myoldhousefix.com/paint-stripping

#speedheater #speedheatercobra #infraredpaintstripping #infrafredpaintremoval #woodstripping #paintremoval #easypaintremoval #diyprojects #diytools #myoldhousefix #fixit

From Curatola Masonry

What It Really Takes To Know Masonry — At Every Level

People sometimes think masonry is just “stacking block and brick.”

But the truth is — the knowledge curve changes dramatically depending on what you’re building.

And if the wrong person is working at the wrong level, the results can get expensive… fast.

Here’s how the learning curve really looks:

Residential Masonry

At the residential level, you need a solid understanding of:

• footing depth and frost lines

• mortar types and mix design

• water management and flashing

• basic load transfer

• safety and clean work practices

This is where craftsmanship is built — but it’s still just the beginning.

Commercial Masonry

Now the knowledge starts climbing.

Commercial work requires:

• reading plans and specs

• working with architects, engineers, and inspectors

• understanding structural lintels and bearing points

• fire ratings and building codes

• expansion joints and movement systems

Precision and coordination become critical.

Industrial Masonry

Industrial work is another world entirely.

Here, masonry supports:

• heavy mechanical systems

• vibration loads

• chemical exposure

• high temperatures

• constant wear and abuse

Mistakes at this level can shut down entire operations — or create real safety hazards.

Historic Masonry

Historic work requires humility and respect.

You need to understand:

• original construction techniques

• lime mortar vs modern cement

• matching brick, stone, and tooling

• preservation ethics

• how NOT to damage something irreplaceable

This is science, art, and history working together.

Structural Masonry

This is the top of the knowledge mountain.

Structural masonry requires deep understanding of:

• engineering principles and load paths

• reinforcement and core filling

• shear, compression, and tension behavior

• interaction between steel, concrete, and masonry

• safety factors, calculations, and liability

At this level, masonry isn’t decorative anymore — it is literally holding the building up.

And that knowledge must be respected.

The takeaway

Not all masonry is the same.

Different levels require different training, different experience, and different responsibility.

The right people in the right roles protect:

• families

• businesses

• historic structures

• entire communities

That’s why real masons keep learning — for life.

#Masonry #Construction #StructuralMasonry #HistoricPreservation #CommercialConstruction #IndustrialConstruction #Trades #Craftsmanship #BuildingScience #Engineering #Brick #Block #Stone #RespectTheTrade #CuratolaMasonry