Historic Home Restoration, Part II

Welcome to the 116th Metamorphosis Monday!

Greetings! Hope your weekend has been a fabulous one! I’m excited to share an update this week on historic Tyson-Stedham House, a wonderful Arts and Crafts home that’s undergoing a complete restoration by Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration. Dustin (owner of of Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration) along with his dedicated crew, have been hard at work these past two weeks. They have made great progress as well as some wonderful discoveries during their restoration process.

Before we revisit the Tyson-Stedham house, I want to congratulate Dustin. I spent last Saturday in Macon, Georgia attending the Georgia Trust Spring Ramble. While I was out and about rambling through gorgeous old homes, Dustin was being presented an award for Excellence in Rehabilitation! This is Dustin below with his mom, Karen. Congratulations, Dustin! What a tremendous honor!

The award Dustin received was for his outstanding work on the historic E.M. Rogers home shown below.

Metamorphosis Monday:

This is Dustin’s current restoration project: Historic Tyson-Stedham House in Adel, Georgia. You can see all the Before pictures of the exterior and interior of this home in this previous post HERE. I’ll be posting periodically about the work Dustin is doing to restore this home as closely as possible to its original state while including conveniences like a fully functional kitchen and up-to-date baths.

You may remember this back view of the home from my previous post. The old sleeping porch had unfortunately been closed in at some point. That odd little dormer window was a later addition, as well. Dustin and his crew got busy working on this area.

Dustin told me, “Awesome news on the old beaten back porch. When we started tearing it apart we found the ORIGINAL 1912 sleeping porch under all the added layers of junk.”

Dustin even found the original windows! He said, “the cool thing about these windows is that they slide DOWN into the wall below them. This is standard practice for the old southern sleeping porches. So now the porch can be restored as it once was as a sleeping porch with fully restored and re-weighted original windows. Historically correct window screens will be made as well to make this room a four season room.”

I’ll let Dustin take us through this process in his own words…take it away Dustin:

We removed the layers of carpet, drywall and so much more to discover the original bead board and windows that had been covered for decades. Also under the layers of flooring was the ORIGINAL porch floor in decent shape.

A long angle view of all the original aspects we uncovered in this back porch space. Within a few weeks this space will be light bright and airy space fit for any family to enjoy year round.

A close up of one of the original windows that had been covered for decades. As I stated before the really cool thing about sleeping porch windows is that they slide down into the wall not up like most windows.

A picture of the original porch tongue and groove ceiling that we found after ripping out the three drop ceilings that had been installed. The original ceiling is in rough but totally restorable condition. It’s a full 12 to 14 inches higher then the drop ceilings that were in place.

Returning to the work being done on the front porch. Here’s a view of the porch before restoration began. Dustin said, “Massive termite damage occurred where the former owners stacked dirt up against the house and poured a concrete patio addition to the original porch. We will repair all the termite damaged wood across this entire section before rebuilding the porch.”

The demolition of the front porch and the concrete portion of the front porch. During this process we discovered that the concrete portion was not original! So we have demolished it and have begun to uncover the original house foundation. We will go back with the original porch and leave off the added portion to restore the porch back to its original status.

My brick mason is coming along on the restoration of the original porch wall, while my lead carpenter Justin Holcomb is rebuilding the entire under structure of the termite infested half of the porch. The brick mason is laying the bricks that will restore the original porch wall. This wall has not been seen since the 50’s or 60’s as it was covered up and destroyed to put in an added concrete patio next to the original porch.

When the previous owners has dirt stacked up high against the foundation and laid a concrete patio they opened the flood gate for termites which destroyed half of the porch.

Dustin continues:

One of the original porch columns needing desperate repair after we took out the added concrete patio and wall that was installed sometime in the 50’s or 60’s.

Porch column restored to its original 1912 status by one of my brick masons.

My lead carpenter, Justin Holcomb, putting in porch braces as we raced to get the under structure of the porch ready for its new flooring.

Here Justin begins to install the new porch flooring and pop caulk lines for screws to be placed in perfectly straight lines on the porch flooring.

Now he has laid the entire porch floor and popped all his chalk lines for installation of three inch deck screws.

The porch after Justin has repaired the entire underneath support system and laid all of the new pressure treated flooring.

Justin finishes his porch restoration and structural rebuild by installing the new pressure treated stairs to the front porch. All in five days work for Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration.

The dirt has been removed and leveled and the porch has finally been restored to its original 1912 status. This project including the demolition of a concrete patio, the removal of all concrete from the patio, the restoring the original brick foundation, restoration of the original porch brick wall, dig out and ground leveling of all the dirt that was stacked in this area. It’s now complete and my client loves the vintage look and open feel of the front yard.

Newly restored original brick wall to the porch that had been destroyed is now complete. This wall has not been standing in at least five or six decades.

Work has begun on the roof. Dustin continues:

Day one of the roofers stripping the six layers of roofing off of the house, destroying the added dormer on the back of the house and addressing the rot issues on the roof with new plywood.

You may remember from THIS previous post; the house had layers and layers of roofing!

The back of the house stripped of its roofing, having all of its wood rot replaced, tar papered installed and ready for shingles.

Here the roofers are ripping off the front layers of the roof and have discovered massive rot issues.

The roofers have stripped all six layers of roofing and felt papered the front of the roof. while this picture also give a birds eye view of the newly removed concrete patio and all of the original brick foundation.

Historically correct new facial boards replace the old rotted boards. These new fascia boards are pressure treated lumber that will not have the same rot issues as the original boards. The large board is a 2 X 10 with a 1 X 4 pressure treated decorative board on top of it to give us the same historically correct look as the original boards had.

The back of the house begins to have its Thunderstorm Gray 35 year architectural shingles installed.

The roofers have completed the shingle installation on the entire back portion of the house. I selected 35 year architectural shingles in a Thunderstorm Gray color.

The new Thunderstorm Gray shingles begin to be installed on the front of the house. With the installation of the shingles done, I can proceed to select my colors for the exterior repaint of the Tyson/Stedham house.

Planning ahead:

The new vintage Art Deco bath tub that we found on Craig’s List that will be installed in the newly created master bathroom.

A pair of vintage pedestal sinks we found and had delivered to the Tyson/Stedham House. These sinks will be used in each bathroom of the house.

The upper portion of the vintage pedestal sinks with original hardware that will be used in each bathroom of the house.

Dustin, thanks for taking us along again this week! It is so fascinating watching this old home coming back to life!

Click HERE to view the very first post showing the interior of this Arts and Crafts home.

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Comments

  1. What a wonderful old house! I have been involved in a few restorations and find uncovering the layers of history fascinating.

    Thank you for hosting!

  2. laxsupermom says

    Such an incredible undertaking! That's unbelievable how many layers of roofing there was. It's a wonder the roof didn't collapse under the load. The porch already looks so much better! Can't wait to see the next installment in this series. Thanks for sharing and for hosting this party each week.

  3. Southerncook says

    WOW, following the restoration process of this historical home is fascinating. LOVED this post.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

  4. Hi Susan! I love this and it's wonderful it's going to have new life.
    Thank you for hosting, always! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  5. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    Wow! What a huge undertaking!!! This is going to be so interesting to follow!

  6. I love old homes and know what it takes to make them grand again. My home was built in 1903.
    I enjoyed viewing your pictures very much.

    Dee

  7. On Crooked Creek says

    Susan,
    WoW! What a transformation! My dad brought a two-story Victorian house back to life when I was 12 years old! I remember the uncovering of such things as this house has revealed! I'll be watching as this story progresses. I would love to see the sleeping porch restored! Thank you for hosting this weekly meme!
    Fondly,
    Pat

  8. This is an amazing work in progress. I love to see these old beauties transformed to their original glory. How exciting to be part of this restoration project.

  9. One Cheap B*tch says

    Amazing!

    Jeanine

  10. Thank you for this tour..what a process, but well worth it!

  11. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    wow, that's a TON of work!! We restored 2 old houses, and have done stuff like that. great tub!

    thanks for hosting!

  12. Anonymous says

    This is Dustin Van Fleet owner of Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration saying thank you for supporting our work. Restoration and design is a passion not a job and the greatest feeling is to hear people share your passion or understand your designs. To be able to leave people awe struck is the most intense feeling in the world. Feel free to ask questions via the blog comments section and I'll personally answer each and every question to the best of my ability. Again thank you for being a part of this journey, and we have only just begun, once completed the Tyson/Stedham House will shine and I'm placing my money on another award off this house. Keep the faith and stay tuned for some high drama in the near future with my paint color selections being made pending the completion of the roof and shingled gables.

  13. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    Hi Susan, Thanks for hosting and sharing this wonderful home restoration.

  14. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    What a neat process to see! It is going to be spectacular when they are done. Thanks for hosting Susan!

  15. Mary Ellen says

    It certainly is fun watching this old home come back to life! We are doing an older home, at a much slower pace do to money, time issues but it is a total feeling of satisfaction when a project is completed and you are keeping with the feel and look of the home itself.

  16. This is such an interesting journey. It is like peeling off layers of wallpaper to find each layer representing another era. It makes one wonder who lived there and who did what!!
    It is going to look beautiful when finished.
    Thank you Susan and Dustin (congraulations on your award) for taking us on this journey with you.
    P.S. Love the tub and sinks!!
    Meg

  17. I love this house! I am enjoying learing about it and can't wait for the next installment.

  18. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for hosting this every week. Even when I don't have anything to share, I LOVE coming over to see what every one's been doing – especially YOU !

    have a great week,

    gena

  19. this place is such a labor of love…I am envious of the fun they will have decorating this place!

  20. Love those vintage pedestal sinks! Thanks for the tour and for hosting another wonderful link up gathering!

    😀 Lynda

  21. How great they could get the money to do that reno in this economy. I love preserving old houses. If they need any more of those vintage sinks they can have mine. We have identical ones two from 1924 in our bathrooms — still going strong! Jane F.

  22. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ says

    Wow you have a lovely blog!!! I'm following you through facebook, and i'm going to follow you through blogging as well 🙂 Thanks for hosting a great party, a lot of neat things!! Would love if you'd stop by my blog and follow me back, Happy Monday!!

  23. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    Thanks for hosting! I haven't been able to participate in a long while!

    I am loving the transformation of this house! Thanks for sharing!

  24. Congratulations to Dustin and the the folks willing to bring these wonderful places back to life.

  25. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    Thanks for hosting! Exciting to see an old house coming back to life. Nice post!

  26. I can hear that house breathing a sigh of relief, as it is brought back to its former beauty! The new porch is wonderful. I had not noticed the gorgeous sidelights previously. Thank you so much for sharing the process and progress!

  27. That house is going to be absolutely gorgeous when he finishes!!!

  28. Creative Escapes says

    WOW 6 layers of a roof – that is crazy! It's looking great!

    Thanks for hosting the party!
    Carrie

  29. inner_child says

    Stunning Craftsman Bungalow. Kudos to Dustin for taking on this huge, huge project!
    Paula ~ Mise en scène

  30. Congratulations to Dustin! I am so enjoying this series! I wish I had Dustin's skill and talent!

    Thank you for a wonderful Met Monday.

    Mary
    From Virginia

  31. Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures says

    This is so fun seeing all this!!
    I love the sink and the tub!!
    Thanks for sharing all this!!
    I love it!!

  32. At The Picket Fence says

    Thanks as always Susan for hosting such a lovely party! I always find such incredible ideas! Have a fabulous week!

    Heather @At The Picket Fence

  33. Squirrelhaus says

    Wow, what a undertaking!!! It is going to be so beautiful when it's done!!!!!
    Have a great week!
    Chris :o)

  34. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    It's going to be beautiful- can't wait to see more of the house and thanks for hosting!

  35. Sue (Someone's Mom) says

    It looks like such hard work, but how wonderful to return a home to what it was meant to be! I really enjoyed watching some of the process.

  36. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says

    Great tour — wow, that guy is working hard to restore that lovely house to it's old glory. Kudos to him! Thanks for the updates!
    Best,
    Gloria

  37. Yvonne Wehr says

    I am fascinated with your thorough and exhaustive work of documenting the beauty and improvement of these homes. I do have on correction however. I think the term is fascia boards….not facial boards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia_%28architecture%29. Please continue with your fine and entertaining postings.

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