With restoration, we try to restore, and keep it period looking, but still add a creative touch. This is all what we have added to our home (the money pit) but are very inexpensive ideas to add an 'extra touch' to the restoration..

Hope somebody out there can us some of these ideas..

These are tile floors in the bathroom, we alternated the size of the tile (just generic tile from the lumberyard) and planed down some cherry and fiddleback maple as an inlay. the wood does need to have a water proof sealant.. Also do a check on the adhesive (some wood will react to the floor adhesive)

Built Ins


We have a angled wall in one corner of the house (forming the side of an octagon.. ) Anyways, the house had settled leaving a large gap in the floor with a sharp angle, and very difficult to repair. The answer was to make a sitting bench to cover the floor problems, and make it look as more of a built in piece. The doors to the left and right of the cushions open at an angle with the windows, have a phone line run to the underside storage (we stash a phone and phone book there) . The seat is split in the center and lifs up for underside storage. The back has a run of antique tiles so plants can be placed, and give a water proof surface.

Wall Panels


The room had extensive damage to the lower portion of the walls, and a plaster repair would have been very difficult. Being a 40 ft long room, (it would also be very expensive)

We found (6) 5 panel doors that were pine and have about 30 layers of paint.. (junk doors) And removed all of the raised panels from the doors. New verticals were cut and the panels and frames were attached directly to the wall. This also gives you a good bit of room to work with rewireing etc...

Wall Panels


Also added oak wall panels and plate rail to the dining room


http://members.sparedollar.com/superdad/restoration4.jpg

Wow....looks like a beautiful house....some great ideas too!! Thanks for sharing. I just bought a 1600 sqft bungalow that needs a ton of work. I'm going to restore it and update to some modern kitchen stuff. Check it out if you get a chance....any suggestions would be appreciated.
Keep up the good work.

www.geocities.com/punksquirt03

Looks like it need a little work, but don;t they all.. I am sure it will be a beauty when it is all finished.

here are a few ideas...


~ To save some bucks, and I think this is an idea not used often enough.. Instead of buying all new cabinets, How about keeping the cabinets you have and refacing them.. People drop all of this money on new cabinets, and unless you drop big bucks, they are not even wood! Most use a good oak frace, and pressboard sides, back and bottom.. Humm.... Pressboard construction, under a sink.. that is just genius..


wrap the sides of the cabinets in oak plywood, and then biscuit join a face and attach it to the old face of the cabinets. If the drawer frames are good, just apply an oak face over the existing drawer front. then all you need to do is to make new doors.. (there are plenty of us woodworkers that can easily make doors if you don;t want to tackle that one yourself) ..

Look at the price breakdown...

1 sht of oak plywood for the sides (1/4" will do) $30

New face frames.. $75 each.. (ballpark)

new doors ($75 each) (for what you have above and below the kitchen sink.. i would figure about $600 total for the doors..

So........

$30 for oak plywood
$600 for doors
$150 for the face frames

Under $800 .. a single base cabinet will cost $500 Wrapping them is the way to go... no doubt about it..

I would even go so far as to purchase old cabinets with a good interior that can be refaced as well if additional cabinets are needed..

Personally, i can see moving the kitchen sink to that far wall under the window.. With a petite wall cabinet on each side of the window, or maybe some small open shelves.

Or.. Putting un upper header connecting up the 2 cabinets.. with a couple of can or halogen lights, to light up the sink area.


If you put a kitchen base in under the window, and you like the idea of wrapping the cabinets, There is really not even a need to take out the cabinets where the sink is currently at.. Maybe put a butcher block top on as a prep area.. since you alread have a water line there, maybe put in one of those small sinks to wash veggies (they have 12"x12" sinks made for veg prep areas at most supply stores).. A butcher block top would look VERY cool...


One thing I am seeing more with kitchen sink areas is to not have then lower part enclosed.. The plumbing is run up through the wall and out to the elbow.. and a 10" front is run across just below the sink (to hide the water and drain lines.. A nice set of mission legs on each side, and some adjustable shelves.. keeps a nice open feel to things..

With restoring the house, my advise would be to pick up a few tools..

(1) Table saw (a must)(I do recommend a belt drive instead of a direct drive)
(2) A miter saw (a must)
(3) compressor and finish nailer


and if you get into making doors and such, maybe a bench top mortise machine..


Well, that is a few ideas...

Thanks for the input!!!.....the pictures don't do this kitchen justice!! it's a mess...those cabinets are going to be reused in the basement.The wall where they currently reside is going to be removed to open into the dining room with an island. The far end of the galley is going to be converted into a 3/4 bath. I agree with you about cabinets and their construction. I found some nice A&C style cabinets, I'm going to install along the wall where the large window(being removed) is now. I'll try to post some pix here as I go....I have all of the tools you mentioned....this is my second restoration...the first was a victorian....you'd think I'd have learned my sesson by now!!...Just kidding...I really enjoy doing it...and I've always loved the A&C architectural styles....I wanted a 4 square...but they get bought up quick...regardless of conditon. Thanks again for your input....I really appreciate it.