There Goes the Kitchen

Here's a quick video of the downstairs showing the progress of the house. Kitchen is starting to be demolished...FUN!!

Open Up the Space

Here we have a view of the new breakfast area that is located just of the kitchen; it sits where the old back porch used to be many years ago. We have framed in a new ceiling and floor system and now it's time to make some adjustments to this wall. The opening on the left at one time was the exterior back door of the home as was the door to the left. The owners have decided to widen these openings to 4' and make them matching cased openings. This a wonderful design idea that will enhance the aesthetic symmetry of the room as well as provide a better sense of openness. It's a simple process really: temporarily support the floor systems above and install new headers to carry the weight that bears down on the wall space that we will be removing.
It's looking better all the time!

It's all about Curb Appeal

As discussed previously in posts on this blog there are some areas of the exterior that need some attention. Our crews have already addresed the most severe spots on the home; these were areas that presented water leakage and that had to be fixed. With that out of the way and a our budget for exterior repairs still looking good the owners have decided to concentrate efforts on the front, specifically to the right of the front door where you see a two story bumopout that houses some of the old, beautiful orignal windows. Much of the siding there was cracked and beginning to show signs of falling. As you can see we have erected a scaffold systme to work off of; this helps the process move along more quickly as well as provides a safer work platform for the crew. The new siding pieces that we are installing match the size and profile of the old lap siding but are pre-primed on both sides and are made from a wood species called Paulownia. It's a product that we recommend highly for its many great qualities. Learn about them here: In a few days time this section will be restored and ready for paint.
Other similar repairs will be made to the front of the home to enhance the curb appeal; after all you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Have any old photos of this home?

We have been taking pictures of the home in its current state and posting to the blog, but do you have, or know of anyone who does have, old pictures of this home from the 50's, 20's, or earlier? If so we would invite you to share those with us and those who visit here. Or maybe you have an story of this home that is exciting and worth noting. Please e-mail any such info to broderickbuilders@gmail.com. Thank you!