Historic Home Restoration

Welcome to the 114th Metamorphosis Monday!

Hi Everyone! Hope your weekend has been a fun one. Today I have a metamorphosis I’m super excited to share. Well actually, it’s the beginning of a huge metamorphosis. If you’ve been reading BNOTPfor very long, you know I have a passion for historic homes. Recently, I met Dustin with Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration. He not only has a passion for old homes, he spends his days overseeing the restoration of these oft forgotten treasures.

Dustin is the proprietor of Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration in Adel, Georgia and his love for old historic homes dates back to his college days in Michigan when he restored this Victorian home shown below…

 

 

…turning her into a beautiful “painted lady.”

Dustin has just embarked on another exciting restoration journey for a client of his, and this time he’s taking us along with him! The” restoration” of an old home is very different from a “renovation.” I asked Dustin if he would explain the difference. He said, “The difference between a restoration or a renovation is the care and effort to keep things original. This project will be a full restoration/rehabilitation.”

As an example, Dustin said, “In a restoration we restore the porch back to a porch like it was originally. However, in a renovation we could leave a porch as a sun room and just make it look up to date. Restoration uses materials that would have been used back in that time period such as heart of pine flooring, historically correct paint colors, etc…”

I’ve never had an opportunity to follow the restoration of an historic home from start to finish, have you? This promises to be an exciting journey! 🙂 Let’s take a look at the home Dustin will be restoring to it’s former glory for his client.

 

The Tyson-Steadham House:

The home shown below is the Tyson-Stedham House on Hutchinson Avenue (US Highway 41) in Adel, Georgia. This Arts and Crafts home was built in 1912, is 2,250 sq. ft and has two bedrooms and one bath. (Originally, the house was a three bedroom home with an out house.) Dustin said when the restoration is complete, it will be a two bedroom home with two bathrooms.

Dustin explained, “The house is a true Arts and Crafts style home with deep eves and exposed beams running through them. The high pitched roof with ample valleys, as well as the deep porch and the ornate craftsman style windows, are dead give aways.”

 

You can really see some of the beautiful details of the home in this photo showing some of the windows and corbels.

 

Dustin told me, “Right off the bat, the electrical, plumbing, roof and front porch will get underway. We are starting with a full restoration of the front porch and stairs, including the removal of the concrete portion of the front porch and all wood flooring as well, there will be new stairs built in the front as well.”

 

Dustin said, “After the front porch, we will take on the task of the full restoration of the back porch which has since been enclosed and turned into a sun room. This project will take time and effort as it is basically a total rebuild and we have to recreate historically correct columns for the back porch.”

 

I can’t wait to see how the porch looks once Dustin restores it!

 

Dustin and his team certainly have their work cut out for them. Take a look a the roof. It has been roofed over at least 5 times. All that will have to be removed, of course.

 

Let’s go inside and take a look at how the home looks now…the “before.” I love the beautiful sidelights surrounding the front door.

 

Interior:

When you step through the front door, you are in the front parlor. All light fixtures throughout the home are original. In fact, this home has all its original wood flooring, mantles, unpainted wood trim, coffered ceilings, interior door hardware and push-button light switches! Wow! Not many historic homes are still this intact. That’s a huge plus for this home.

 

Here’s the fireplace in the parlor. You can see the beautiful coffered ceilings here, as well.

 

The French doors are pocket doors and are original.

 

As are the door knobs throughout the home…

 

Dining Room:

The dining room, again with its original light fixture, is paneled in the board and batten style so many bloggers are duplicating in their own homes today. I’m sure you’ve seen all the tutorials across Blogland. Well, here’s the real thing. 🙂

 

The fireplaces are all original, too. Looks like there’s a lot of peeling paint that will need to be addressed.

 

I love the built-in window seat with storage underneath.

 

Kitchen:

Let’s check out the kitchen. Prepare yourself…it’s pretty rough.

 

The kitchen will be getting a full renovation. Dustin told me, “The only rooms that will not be fully restored and will have added amenities will be the bathrooms and the kitchen. These spaces will be restored to the utmost care but will have modern conveniences such as a gas range, dishwasher, etc…”

 

It will be exciting to see what Dustin has planned for the kitchen.

 

Hall:

All the light fixtures in the hall are original.

 

Sunroom:

This sunroom will be restored to its original function as a back porch.

 

I’m so glad! You know how I feel about porches. 🙂

 

Current bath: Definitely in need of a renovation…

 

 

 

From time to time over the next several months, I’ll be sharing the progress made in taking this home back to its original beauty. Dustin is estimating the process will take much of the spring and summer. Just think, it will be all ready for a grand Christmas party this year! 🙂 Ummm, where should we put the tree? 🙂

If you would like to talk with Dustin about assistance with an historic home restoration you are planning, he may be reached via the following:

Van der Fleet Designs and Restoration

Dustin W. K. Van Fleet (Owner)

309 East Fourth Street

Adel, Georgia 31620

813 545-1698 (Cell)

[email protected] (E-Mail)

If you enjoy historic home tours, just click on the category heading, “Home and Garden Tours” at the top of this blog, or click HERE.

 

Looking forward to your “Before and Afters” for this Metamorphosis Monday!

Metamorphosis Monday: If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday: Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the “url” box for InLinkz.

If you’d like to include the MM button in your post, just copy and paste the Met Monday button to your computer or grab the html code from underneath the MM logo under the “Join a Blog Party” header at the top of this blog.

Please include a link in your MM post back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Why is this important? When you include a link back to BNOTP, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other awesome “Before and Afters” linked for this Metamorphosis Monday. If everyone links back, this maximizes the visits for all participants. Please DO NOT type in all caps…it spreads the links waaaay out. Thanks! 🙂


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Comments

  1. I often wonder how a house like that, with so much wonderful charm, is ever allowed to fall into such a state! Cant wait to see the restored version.

  2. I love to see old houses being brought back to life and their loveliness!

  3. After restoring a house in similar condition I know it can be done and will be awesome! Can't wait to see it!

  4. Thanks for sharing! I wish we had the original fixtures. Although we're doing more reno than restore, we're sticking to as many original details as possible.

  5. FABBY'S LIVING says

    I wonder why this beautiful house was left to fall apart! Who did it belong to?! It's a beautiful house I'm sure it's going to look gorgeous. I know you'll post the finish product!
    Thank you Susan.
    FABBY

  6. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    Wow, I'm sure this must have been a beautiful home at one time, Susan. Looking forward to following the restoration.

    Thanks for hosting!

  7. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    Wow! I can't wait to see how this turns out!! It is going to be amazing! Thanks for hosting too!

  8. It's nice to see someone saving a home!

  9. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    I love old Craftsman style houses! I'm sure it's going to look wonderful when it is restored!

  10. One Cheap B*tch says

    I so adore old historic homes. It's our dream to buy one in upstate New York. I wonder though how much Dustin spends on his restorations – like a ballpark.

    If I didn't have too little ones, my husband and I would jump feet first into restoring an old home but it's so hard with our little guys.

    Still a girl can dream…

    Jeanine

  11. Terry @ La Bella Vie says

    wow I would love to have that little charmer once its all done! Its just adorable even while looking through all the chaos!
    Thanks for sharing Susan and Dustin and thanks Susan for another Met Monday party…I've been in need of a good party!
    Terry

  12. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Southgate…me, too. I'm sure there's a story there.

  13. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Jeanine, I know how you feel. I'd love to live in an historic home one day…but only if I had the money to really restore it as it should be.

  14. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    That's an amazing restoration, Susan! I will enjoy seeing the progress! Your new spring header is cute! Happy week…stay dry!…hugs…Debbie

  15. laxsupermom says

    Wow! This'll be a great series. I can't wait to see how he restores those rooms. The woodwork is beautiful, he's lucky it hadn't been painted over. Thanks for sharing and for hosting this party each week.

  16. A Vintage Vine says

    Thanks for sharing all those pictures….all of that will be so rewarding….thanks for hosting this party!

  17. Really interesting. How lovely it will be when he is done.
    Sherry

  18. A Vintage Green says

    I will be checking back frequently to see how your photo journal of the historic renovation is going. Thanks for posting the beginning of an exciting journey.
    – Joy

  19. It looks neglected but it doesn't look ruined. Happy 100th next year and best wishes for another 100 after that.

  20. Can't wait to see the progress of this restoration! It definitely has great bones and I'm sure it will be spectacular when it is brought back to life.

    Thanks for hosting a great linky party! 🙂

  21. My husband worked for a while in Adel and Nashville, GA so it was a treat to see this! I am looking forward to following the progress and I love your blog.

  22. I am so happy to read that someone is going to restore that house back to it's former beauty!! It looks like a wonderful home and will be gorgeous when completed.
    Jane

  23. Bianca @ Walnut Avenue says

    Thank you for hosting! That house looks like it could use a while lotta love! I can not wait to see the transformation… 🙂

  24. While househunting with our son, I have had the opportunity to see lots of older homes! I can't wait to see this one restored and am so glad that it will be restored rather than renovated completely. I have grown to really appreciate this style lately. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

  25. Were you in Adel? That's not far at all from where I live…about 40-50 miles! I know that will once again be a sweet little house when it's finished. Can't wait to see the transformation.

  26. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    Thanks for sharing this house with us. I loved seeing all the original features. So very unusual in a house this age. Can't wait to see the restoration all complete!

  27. Nita {ModVintageLife} says

    Wow! I loved seeing this home. Fantastic that you were able to show all the before – before he begins to redo. I am so looking forward to watching this house turn into a gem. Love that the porch is turning back into a porch. I'll be looking forward to your posts on this.

  28. Mary Ellen says

    I sometimes feel like my house looks like this one you are showing! I think when we had to cut a hole in the roof when insulating that DH said there were at least 5 layers of roof on the house!!

    Thanks for the great party.

  29. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    wow, what a great old home. We've renovated one that looked (almost) this bad. it's so worth it!

    thanks for hosting!

  30. Farmer's Wyfe says

    Oh, how FUN!!! Thanks for taking us along to see this great place. I LOVE seeing neat old houses be brought back to beautiful splendor. So nice!

  31. Anonymous says

    Thank you all for the kind comments and support, it means a great deal to me. Myself and the entire crew are VERY excited to give Between Naps on the Porch the exclusive footage of this restoration from start to finish. Susan thank you for letting us be a part of your blog and supporting our work. Again, thank you all for the support and well wishes, get ready because we are about to take you on a journey like you have never seen before.

    Dustin

  32. WOW! What a project! FIVE layers of roofing?? But what great bones this old house has! I especially like the fireplace in the parlor. Can't wait to see the transformation.

    BTW: I like that you flipped back your column to the right. Maybe it's b/c I'm right handed but it just 'feels' right on the right =)
    Thanks for hosting and Happy Spring Susan!!

    😀 Lynda

  33. Farah Muzaffar says

    Hi Susan …

    Its so nice to link up with your party, I am here first time and Hope you love to play with colours and flowers? Please visit me at
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

  34. Ann@A Sentimental Life says

    I love older homes with character (guess that is why I own 2!) I am so glad someone took on the task of saving that beautiful home. looking forward to seeing the progress!

  35. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    Susan, I can't wait to follow along with this restoration. Thanks so much for featuring it. I just love it when old homes get a new life!

  36. I can't wait to see more of this ambitious restoration. We live in 1 1925 Craftsman that we recently restored. We also took a sunroom back to a porch, stripped and stained trim that had been painted. We were fortunate that much that had been done only covered up the original. I the case of some things that had been taken down–some doors and light fixtures–they had been stored and we were able to re-install.

    You may see our home at:

    http://livingbetweenthewords.blogspot.com/p/where-we-live.html

    We were fortunate to find a contractor willing to take the time and appreciate the integrity of our home!

  37. This is a great house! I can't wait to see it restored. Thanks for sharing!

  38. Dawn-Hydrangea Home says

    Wow Susan! What a project. Looking forward to seeing the progress!!

  39. Rachel @ Olde Farmhouse says

    I love seeing things transformed! I can't wait to see this house all finished.

    Thanks for hosting another party. I'm going to link up the lamp makeover I completed last week.

  40. I can't wait to see the finished house! I love, love historic houses! And it's so great that he is fixing them rather than leveling them. Great find Susan!

  41. Oh, wow, Susan. Loved the tour of the old house. That's going to be a LOT of work (oh dear, the bathroom—yuk) but I'm sure it will be a dazzler when it's finished. That is going to be so much fun to see. There are some fabulous details in a house like that!

    By the way, we have push-button lights in our old house and crystal handles on most of the doors throughout! Love them. Susan

  42. After living in and restoring a historic home, these photos brought back such sweet memories. After selling the home, we were amused to find it featured in a book about restoring Arts and Crafts home. Some of the design details of our home described as original, were actually ones we had restored or designed ourselves. Many of the original features that I fought hard to save were also featured and praised for their beauty. Guess we did a good job! I am so thankful for Dustin and others who recognize and cherish the value of older homes. Thank you for sharing his work and inspiring others.

  43. Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash says

    What an awesome undertaking of that old house. I have always wanted to do that, it's on the bucket list…Blessings, Debbie

  44. I have always wanted to do a house like this!

  45. Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures says

    I have died and gone to heaven!!
    That is the house of my dreams!!!
    It doesn't get better than that!! The light fixtures……..
    OMG OMG!!

  46. First I have to say "I WANT THAT CEILING FIXTURE THAT'S IN THE DINING ROOM." OK, now that's out of the way. Thanks for sharing this. I am so excited to watch this house being transformed. Thanks for bringing such exciting things to your blog. Have a good day.

  47. Tjis is going to be a great journey. I love everything about restoration and renovation.
    Thank you Dustin and Susan for sharing in this project.
    Push-button lights? 🙂

  48. I would dearly love to have the money to restore one of these beautiful olden homes.
    I enjoyed your post today.
    Thanks so much for stopping over and visiting with me.
    xo bj

  49. Megan @ Restoring the Roost says

    I too have a passion for historic homes (professionally I work as a historic preservation specialist and an architectural historian). I'm very much looking forward to seeing this wonderfully intact Craftsman restored to its full glory! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  50. Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea says

    What an interesting house. Thanks for sharing the story. Cheers

  51. Susan, restoration of a home such as this takes courage and lots of energy. It will be fun to see the progress. Thanks for sharing. ~ sarah

  52. Town and Country Gals says

    Susan,
    How exciting to know that one more little piece of history is going to be brought back to its original beauty! The photos were fab, can't wait to see it finished!
    I have one request for you, I accidently came across your post of blogging secrets that you did on Sept. 1st, 2009 with all the how too's. Since I'm not very handy on the computor, they are very helpful but hard to get to. It would be great if you listed it at the top along with the other titles you have under your banner!
    Rebecca

  53. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Rebecca, I can create a link to it under "Small Projects and Tutorials" which is under the heading "Tutorials" at the top of the blog. I'll do that now. But probably the fastest wasy of all for you to reach it when you need to, is to open that post, then save it under "favorites" or "bookmarks." That way when you want to access it, you just click on "bookmarks" in Firefox or "Favorites" in IE (or whatever browser you use) and you'll have instant access. 🙂 I'm glad it's still helpful. I haven't looked at that post in a while so I wasn't sure if some of the info was out-of-date by now.

  54. Richard Cottrell says

    I have a blog you and Dustin might enjoy. My Old Historic House. I am your newest follower. Please drop by soon for a peak. Thanks for sharing the newest project, what a challenge. Richard

  55. I am really looking forward to Dustin restoration. This house reminds me so much of my aunt's home that was built by my great-grandfather who was a builder and store keeper. My aunt's house has a lot of the same features as Dustin's. However, her home has a full second story with four bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms; very unusual for 1929.

    Thank you for an interesting Met Monday post!

    Mary
    From Virginia

  56. Did anyone else look at the doorknob and immediately think of Disney's "Alice in Wonderland"?

    Or am I dating myself?…..

  57. Divine Theatre says

    I am so glad I found you! I am relatively new here and blindly bumping about!
    I am your newest follower. I cannot wait to see the transformation of this home!
    I will attempt to link to this post! Thank you for the opportunity!

    Andie

  58. The White Farmhouse says

    I know it is alot of work, but how fun to do a restoration like this. I keep telling my husband this is what I want to do. He keeps telling me to start with our own old farmhouse. I can't wait to see the finished result.

  59. Oh, how exciting it will be to see this! Thanks for showing it to us. My grandmother's house had the push button light switches, and I was always fascinated by them.

  60. At The Picket Fence says

    What an incredible project! Can't wait to see the finished results. Thanks so much for hosting the party! It's always so much fun to see all the projects everyone has been working on.

    Heather @At The Picket Fence

  61. You can certainly see all the potential beauty & charm that is hiding under all the despair.
    CAS

  62. Morning girl…I love old Craftsman style homes..the big 'chunky' homes as I call them! lol I can't wait to see how it turns out…loved those pocket french doors and ohhhh I do so love porches! They are a must even if I lived in a tent! lol Thanks so much for coming by girl…it is always such a delight to hear from you…hope you have a great week sweetie….Picket

  63. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    This is right up my alley — and brings back lots of memories! So glad Dustin and his miracle workers are tackling the project! It's definitely worth it … And I'm going to enjoy following their progress. That'll just have to suffice since I can't get my own hands on it. Can't wait 'til the Christmas open house. Dustin WILL invite us all, won't he? 😉

  64. This project is going to be fun to follow!

  65. Just reviewed the third time the renovation project in Adel. I'm excited that we can watch him perform step by step. I've never met Mr. Van der Fleet, but I have seen examples of his work. He is a talented, award-winning professional. Can hardly wait to see tis project.

  66. 3generations says

    Featuring this restoration and your blog! Thanks for sharing. It has inspired me to start my own renovation…which is looooooong overdue!
    Andrea
    http://tablescapex3.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-blog-finds-3.html

  67. Drove by the house today (I live in Adel), and the front porch floor has been put down.
    Maybe I can sneak a picture or two on my phone and send them to you 😉

    Going to be interesting to watch the transformation!

  68. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    JEG, you are so nice to offer to do that. Dustin sent some new pics today and I'll post them tomorrow evening, but thanks so much for offering to do that. Lucky you that you get to see it happening in person! 🙂

  69. Design-House.com says

    Going to be a beauty when it is restored.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Debra
    DesignHouse Inc.
    http://www.Design-House.com
    http://design-house-plans.blogspot.com/

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