Learn Spanish

08/15/2024

Before & After ~ From Threatened to Fabulous.

The 1874 James and Lucinda Bedell House in Tottenville, Staten Island, NY, was at the center of a battle between a community that wanted it preserved and a developer who wanted to tear it down and build four new houses on the lot. It was in very good shape when purchased by the developer.

The city landmarked the house to save it, and out of spite, the owner removed character-defining trim elements and painted it with florescent spray paint graffiti. Eventually, the graffiti was painted over, but the porch collapsed, and it looked like the house would be lost. The before photo by Emilio Guerra was taken at this time. It sat vacant for a decade before being restored by a new owner.

The house once again lives up to its landmarking documentation description as "the most beautiful Second Empire house on the south shore of Staten Island."

Fortunately, this house was located in a community that supports historic preservation and is willing to fight to save its history.

I wrote "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" to help people understand what it takes to save a historic house and how to approach the work.

Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.

Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.

© Scott t. Hanson 2024.

08/15/2024

At the conclusion of ordinance work yesterday, the 30-year-old Orlando Florida Temple closed for renovation, as announced in February. No details have been released on the anticipated changes or length of construction. Once the work has been completed, dates for an open house and rededication will be announced. There is currently one operating temple in Florida, located in Fort Lauderdale. Construction of a temple in Tallahassee is nearing completion, and plans have been announced for temples in Tampa and Jacksonville. (Photo: Dale Bohman)

08/15/2024

🏰 Château de Montrottier, France 🇫🇷

Montrottier Castle [mɔ̃tʁɔtje] is an old fortified house, from the 13th century, remodeled several times and restored in the 19th century, which stands in the commune of Lovagny in the department of Haute-Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a dozen kilometers west of Annecy, near the Fier gorges.
The site would probably have been occupied in Roman or Saracen times with a defense post.

The castle buildings were built between the 13th and 15th centuries, with additions in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In 1263, the Montrottier family is cited in an act signed in Lovagny. This family held it either from the hands of the counts of Geneva or the lords of Pontverre. In 1266, the castle fell to the de Grésy family. The last of the name gave it in 1425 to Amédée VIII of Savoy, who sold it two years later, on March 19, 1427, to Pierre de Menthon, Bailli du Genevois, advisor and ambassador of Savoy in Paris in 1417, in Rome in 1432 and in Genoa in 1441, of the Duke of Savoy Amédée VIII; at the origin of the Menthon-Montrottier branch, for a sum of 9,000 florins. The latter will have a lot of construction and renovation work carried out. It was at the castle that he died, on March 31, 1455, of an injury sustained in Chambéry following a duel with Jean de Compey.

📷 by

08/15/2024

Before and After ~ A Queen Anne Gem in Conway, Arkansas.

Before: Our Restoration Nation, after: David Hatfield.

This wonderful Queen Anne before and after comes from my friends Laine and Kevin Berry of Our Restoration Nation. They are among my favorite house restorers sharing their projects on social media.

Unlike so-called "reality" TV, they approach their projects with authentic enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to honoring the historic fabric and character of the houses they take on. They share the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the process, delivered with humility and a great deal of humor. Follow them on Instagram or YouTube!

This sweet house, now called "Scottie," was condemned and being sold as a tear-down when the Berrys rescued it. It's a beautiful example of what is possible when someone cares enough to do the hard and dirty work of saving a threatened house. Be like Laine and Kevin! Here is a link to a great article about the restoration with lots of photos: https://ow.ly/Q7yH50RoHqX

"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help anyone who wants to restore a house with sensitivity, covering all aspects of the process.

Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at yourhistorichouse.com/shop/.

Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!

"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores.

© Scott T. Hanson 2024.

Our Restoration Nation

08/15/2024

Renovation of an old house by PLP Atelier

…

08/15/2024

Talk about transformations 😍😍😍
The renovation of 717 Columbia (the old Fitzgerald House) has been one of the biggest wins for downtown in recent years. It is amazing how this historic landmark has gone from endangered to a beautiful single family home again.
(NOTE: The brick is painted maroon in the old photo, it isn't exposed. The brick was too far damaged, patched, and irregular to restore to its original surface so they chose a warm white to match the exterior paint job of the 1890's when the tower was added).

08/15/2024

Ashlar Hall Castle built in 1896 in Memphis, TN, currently undergoing restoration. Photo by

08/08/2024

08/05/2024

1896 Goldberg Mansion located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 🇺🇸
Designed by architect John A. Moller and George C. Ehlers and built by J.P. Jones in 1896 for Attorney Benjamin Goldberg, The Goldberg Mansion was the first home built on E Newberry Boulevard. According to Urban Milwaukee, Goldberg ran out of money after being disbarred for 19 charges and the property was left unfinished for a period of time. Note: This property is not currently for sale or for rent🏡

📷 credit Google streetview

08/02/2024

Can you translate these 8 Spanish words🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸 Comment your Nation&Score let's see who knows Spanish best💃💃💃