Evaluating the Grandma Moth-Baller

We place the greatest amount of emphasis on spotting the time capsule plays within the marketplace.   The welcoming scent of moth balls and antique store musk delivers the excitement of the purist in American dreams:  Restoring the neglected craftsman era home. Our favorite subjects to photograph, for the mind opening idea that generations before us didn't value or care whatsoever about vanity of modern functionality.

The estate sale; in its most naked form is the definition of character and class, its highest peak, is that of purchasing Grandmas entire home, not just her milk glass.

The following subject was a purchased in 1961 by Geraldine Mccollow, built in 1919 this dutch colonial is nestled just blocks east of Lake Harriet's south beach.  I have never met Geraldine, but her home told such a story, of wisdom and simple living through decades in East Harriet.

The original fireplace is centered in the living room and visible from the dining area.   One cannot help but notice that Geraldine's vintage wool has been pulled from its tack strips.   The suburban tourist agent or buyer likely pulled these carpets in each room; original hardwoods from the craftsman era are commonly red/white oak in the common areas, douglas fir in porches and kitchens (originally meant as a subfloor despite is amazing finish charm) , and lastly maple in bedrooms for its softer and smoother grain patterns.

Enamel is present throughout Geraldine's dutchie; likely just a handful of coats would make way for the stripper DIY that craves a natural woodwork vibe.   Painted woodwork is sad to us, and a trend that will be forever controversial.  A project like this one I would focus the woodgrain vocals from the hardwood restoration, and re-enameling the millwork (outside of dining built-in and mantle).

I didn't want to leave the dining room, flanked by corner built-ins often seen in Nokomis tudors, this 1919 afforded a craftsman buffet as well with 18" deep barrel niche to house the future home of this preservationists old fashioned muddling!   Original chandelier would make an outstanding bedroom fixture, we have leaned heavily on John Rheinhart at Residential Relics for our lighting restoration and mining of period correctness from any era.   There is such a striking quality to a restoring space, the beacon of which is always a chandelier from the correct era! There exists a classical element to this floorplan; the separation affords the host some kitchen focus while  flowing nicely from dining to living to exterior.  This would be a room to restore it simply to its original state, as fewer and fewer original millwork and plaster detail like this will survive as the decades continue to pass.  It is our wish that Geraldines home celebrates its century mark in 2019, with many of the best originality celebrated rather than departed for the current HGTV or pinterest interior trend. 

Wallpaper is present throughout this home, which we love as it is commonly the poorest light to shine on a home, creating natural selection for those that truly value the merits and moxie of the classic home.  The archways and flow is terrific throughout the main floor, a modern space that isn't too large, but sizable enough for a lively social gathering.  

The dining nook off the kitchen is another place that will be likely incorporated into a larger more modern cooking space; which we support, as long as the architect isn't wearing carhart and drinking a monster.  The return earned on your investment has little to do with its size, and way more to do with the level at which you design and implement a cohesive energy throughout your space.  

The upper levels are commonly covered in musty shag; in this case brilliant maple one inch exists below!