My friend's parents own a 1898 home in what I believe is the "Queen Anne" style. I'm yet to begin researching the house. They bought the house in 1982 with the intent to restore it, but still lack the funds to do so. Prior to their purchase it was vandalized and mantels were removed and other objects destroyed. The house needs the foundation fixed because it is literally falling in on itself, but its beautiful! I really want to help save this house and I'm looking for any ideas about what I should do.

Right now I'm trying to clean everything because they don't really clean. I'm so frustrated that another beautiful old house should fall apart due to neglect and laziness. Anyway the point of this post...

Does anyone have any ideas about what I can do to help preserve / protect this old home? Also, what products can I use to clean the floors, railings, walls, ect that will be safe on the old surfaces? Any advice would be great, thanks!

Hello Stephanie,
First I would like to welcome you to the Arts and Crafts Society and we hope you will come again often.
Now it is unusual that we should get on the style of Queen Anne as these forums are meant for Arts and Crafts Movement along with many other topics that are generated around the A&C items.

I being in woodworking for now 60 years can and will help you but I just can't do it here on the Society Forums as it would be a conflict of interest and violate our terms of service.

You may contact me via email at Ralj7@AOL.com and I will give you a good start on what to do as well as where to start first.

You would need to send me some pictures and other information that will aid both me and you in the restoration of this home.

However I am sure that you would be permitted to post some pictures of what you are doing and the progress you are making with my help.

Now first you would need to use either Photo Bucket or Flickr in order to post pictures as our server is full.


Respectfully,

Ralph Jones