True Tales From Old Houses – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy is wrapping things up at Silver Lake and getting ready for a new sleeping porch project. Meanwhile, Daniel is busy turning a dining room closet into a masterpiece—because even closets deserve a little love.

Then, during listener Q&A, Stacy offers a happy follow-up from a previous question about exterior painting before weighing in on a kitchen remodel quandary—When it comes to cabinets and floors, is it better to level everything perfectly or embrace the tilt?

Finally, history buff and DIY enthusiast Tux Loerzel stops by to chat about his big move from Brooklyn to Detroit and the ongoing adventure of restoring his historic duplex. From swoopy arches to textured yellow bricks, Tux’s home is full of surprises—some delightful, some less so. But with a willingness to tackle anything, Tux gives us a peek into the challenges (and joys) of breathing new life into an old home.

Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Throwbacks Home Interiors (book)
• Follow Tux Loerzel on Instagram
• Listen to Beyond Reproach (explicit)

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Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.

Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

In this conversation, Stacy and Daniel discuss their ongoing renovation projects.

First, Daniel talks about his plans to use beadboard in the guest room and the challenges of storing salvage materials.

Then, Stacy shares her experience renovating her sleeping porch and the serious structural issues she encountered during deconstruction. 

Finally, they discuss their mutual love for Michigan and the unique houses Daniel visited there recently. The conversation ends with a reflection on milestone "housiversaries" (anniversaries) and the progress of their renovation projects.

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.

Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.

This week's episode begins with some quick updates about Daniel's cottage and an announcement from Stacy. Stacy and Scott Sidler are co-authoring a book about energy efficiency and old windows. With the first draft nearly finished, the book is moving right along. Stacy and Scott hope it will become a handy and trusted resource for anyone with a stake in preserving and restoring old buildings.

Next, during listener Q&A, Daniel and Stacy offer input on a kitchen window issue. The homeowner is planning a remodel and wants to place the sink in front of an original window. The problem is that the window is large and cannot fit behind the sink without being shortened or removed. Daniel weighs in with some pragmatic advice, and Stacy agrees. 

Finally, Stacy chats with Lee McColgan, author of A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial. Part memoir, part meditation, Lee's book offers an inspiring snapshot of falling in love with his 1700s home and learning the historic trades necessary to bring it back to life.  

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop Weekend Retreat at Silver Lake: July 19-21 or July 26-28, 2024. (New, lower prices!)
• How to leave a rating and review on Spotify
• The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (book) by Margareta Magnusson
• A House Restored by Lee McColgan
• Follow Lee McColgan on Instagram @HelveHistoricTrades
• A Place of My Own by Michael Pollan
• Enter to win a signed copy of A House Restored by Lee McColgan

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog - For 10% off The Window Course, use the coupon code truetales.

Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code truetales.

Abatron - Manufacturer of WoodEpox and LiquidWood, perfect for wood rot repair. Use the coupon code true2024 to save 10% off your order from Abatron.com.

Noonan Heritage Craftworks - Learn how Noonan Heritage Craftworks can help you with your exterior project using traditional materials. Schedule a phone call, video conference, or email consultation with Joseph Parente today.

In this first episode of Season five, Stacy is flying solo. Feeling lonely, she invites a past podcast guest to join her for listener Q&A.  

Later, she talks to Laine and Kevin Berry of Our Restoration Nation about their preservation projects and life post-Louise, the Big Little House in Louisville, Georgia.  

In Devyn's final episode as co-host, he and Stacy discuss their house goals for 2021. 

Later, they welcome Stephen and David St. Russel, owners of a Boston-area Victorian. Driven by boundless energy and curiosity, Stephen and David talk about adding character back to the shell of a house they bought, the One Room Challenge, and beekeeping. 

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss how they determine which work to DIY and which to hire out. Safety first!

Later, they welcome Karolyn Fuller, also known as Lady Dukart, on Instagram. As a child, Karolyn biked the backroads around her rural home, exploring abandoned old houses and daydreaming about restoring one of her own. Now, her dream has come true. Through her camera's lens, Karolyn sees beauty in the process, not just the glossy after photos.

show notes & transcripts

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss their favorite features of their old houses. 

Later, they seek common ground with Ward Schraeder, co-host of HGTV's Bargain Mansions. Can they find it? Will you? 

show notes & transcripts

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss building products and techniques they'd bring back to the mainstream as well as modern construction materials they happily use instead.

Later, they welcome Richard Cann from the UK. Richard rescues stained glass windows from the dump and sells them as art pieces. He offers insight into salvaging stained glass from British houses and discusses the modern beliefs that lead people to replace British history with "plastic toy windows." 

At the end of the show, Devyn makes a big announcement.

Big news! Today kicks off the fall fundraising merchandise event. True Tales From Old Houses, tees, and hoodies are available for a limited time. Visit TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com for purchase information as well as show notes and transcripts from this episode.

In this episode, Devyn and Stacy revisit past projects to report on how they’ve held up over the years. 

Later, Stacy finally shares the experience that converted her from a total skeptic to “maybe sort of a believer, but let’s not talk about it too much.” Also, Devyn and Stacy welcome Chelsey and Susan to tell their own stories of the unexplainable.

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn talk about their favorite DIY tasks related to old houses. 

Later, guest John Harrington kicks off the October ghost story series. His story is a tale of items lost and then found in the most serendipitous ways. 

For more information and transcripts, visit the show notes on TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com.