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Home is where the hearth is

Yesterday, Daniel and I went to the house and measured the kitchen to make more accurate drawings. Where the wall divided the kitchen we could see the remains of the old jamless hearth. We pulled away some of the flooring to reveal a brick and bluestone hearth under the vinyl. It still looked as if someone had recently made a fire on it.

By the time we got back today the wall between the two kitchen rooms, all of the ceilings and the surround of the new window in the kitchen had all been completely removed. It was a dramatic difference. One large span across with two amazing beams. (Revealing some challenges and some wonders).














On the left side of the kitchen, as you walk in the back door, is a wonderful wide panelled wainscot that the wall (between the kitchens) was built over. A little damaged in the wall construction but still a fine specimen. Judging by the integration with the doors on the same wall it is likely that this was built in 1765 when the kitchen was added. (Some wonderful paint colors are revealed as we pull out these newer additions). The original exterior wall was clearly taken down and the basement door and the door into the hall added as a complete unit.

Photos 1) Door to basement and hall (hall door removed for protection). 2) Wainscot 3) Wide Plank Panels with saw marks










Now, if only previous owners had not removed the original plank flooring from the bedroom above and alternated salvaged floorboards with cheap 'Homasote' wall board!!!

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Comments

  1. Daniel FlebutJanuary 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Hmmm, new wide plank flooring -- that'll cost a pretty penny!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ValerieWilcoxJanuary 18, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    ooooh! did I see a shop vac in the background? taking it all down to the "bones" is weird isn't it? Also wide plank may be do-able there's a place (if they re still there) in Pine Plains that specializes in reclaimed barn wood/timbers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A FriendJanuary 18, 2010 at 10:17 PM

    Nesbitt has a wainscot jacket.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    This Old House has nothing on you guys. Except a few sponsors

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carrie SalterJanuary 19, 2010 at 7:28 PM

    So what are your plans??? Nice space...love the hearthstone...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chris HoppeFebruary 2, 2010 at 9:03 AM

    The wainscot seems to have circular sawmill marks. That would date them after 1830.

    ReplyDelete
  7. www.dejouxhouse.comFebruary 6, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Chris, the wainscot is the second picture...the picture on the right is a close up of planks around the sink in the kitchen which, as you say, are obviously added at a later date...Thanks for telling me about circular saws...that helps date the sink.

    ReplyDelete

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