“I shall always love an old house, for in its timbers strong, are life and love and memories of children’s carefree song…” Those words were lovingly stitched on the sampler my sister-in-law made for us when we bought our 1902 farm house in the late 80′s. She failed to mention the sagging floors, decayed plumbing and outdated “everything” that we would spend the next 20 years replacing. Oh, the “charm” of an old house!
In our home we have an oversize cast iron tub installed in the early ‘30s. This is not a free-standing claw foot, but rather one of the early built-in tubs. Bathing in this tub, with it’s ample dimensions, is a luxurious experience. So, instead of allowing it to be ripped out and hauled to the landfill, I contacted a company that made an injection old plastic fitting that slipped right over our main tub. We saved money, salvaged a little bit of the history of our home, and the new surfaces can be wiped down with vinegar instead of those horribly toxic bath and shower cleansers.
Our old farm kitchen has long been the heart of our home, but in recent years had begun to show its age. The main culprit here were the oak cabinets that had been installed in the early 1980s. I found a wonderful assortment of “green” cabinetry available made from sustainable woods. Did you know that it can take more than 200 years to grow a mature oak tree, while a bamboo tree (the fastest growing tree in the world) grows at the rate of 60 centimeters every 24 days? The choice was obvious and the cabinets are beautiful. A second solution to consider is updating your existing cabinets. A fresh coat of paint in one of the new designer colors and changing out your old hardware can give your entire kitchen a “facelift.” Remember to use environmentally safe paint.
According to HGTV, hardwood flooring is considered one of the top five “musts” by home buyers. Many homes built in central Indiana in the early part of the 20th century featured flooring made from the trees indicative of their area. While saving these floors is important, it is sometimes not possible. Today we have many flooring options available to us that are earth-friendly. In addition to the bamboo I have already mentioned, many designers are recommending the use of cork or Lyptus. Cork, mainly from Mediterranean regions, is made from compressed bark so no trees are lost in its manufacturing and Lyptus, a hybrid of two types of Eucalyptus trees, grows to full size in less than 25 years. Both make beautiful, durable flooring while saving our forests.
There was a time when I thought remodeling “green” would be troublesome and time consuming. I thought it would not only be costly, but that it would limit my options. To the contrary, I have found that it is a simple as reading a few labels, and asking a few questions. The results have exceeded my expectations and I have not only saved my old house, but I can feel I have aided in the preservation of our environment.
The restoration of a hundred year old house is a massive, seemingly endless, job. So why would anyone do it? The Sampler on my office wall says it best. “A house that’s used to howling winds and towering oak above, will bring peace and joy and laughter to those who give it love.” And so we do. Until next time – Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com