True Tales From Old Houses

In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss the merits of lead safety training and certification for old house owners. And later, Stacy talks to Amy and Rachel from the Historic Murray First Foundation in Murray, Utah. In an area of the United States where historic buildings are being destroyed routinely in the name of progress, the Historic Murray First Foundation is fightin...

In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss ways to determine the original floor plan of an old house.  And later, they chat with Gina Bellous. Gina's dream of owning a Victorian Bed and Breakfast is coming true in her little cottage nestled near the bay of San Pedro, California.  To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via  the contact page . WE LOVE OUR SP...

In today's episode, the first of season nine, Stacy welcomes a new co-host, Daniel Kanter. During listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss special considerations for wallpapering crooked plaster walls. And later, Stacy and Daniel chat with Christopher Wilson, owner of the Aurora, a 1955 cruise ship he is restoring in Stockton, California. Christopher bought the Aurora off of Craigslist, and since th...

In today's episode, Scott Sidler joins Stacy for listener Q&A. Scott explains how to use Low-e glass to improve the energy efficiency of steel casement windows. And later, Stacy chats with sisters Linda McManus and Chris Wysocki, who own a research company called History Attic . Linda and Chris investigate the often fascinating history of old homes and buildings. They have completed years of resea...

In today's episode, Laine Berry from Our Restoration Nation shares apocryphal stories. Apocryphal stories have a dubious origin, but they have been told so often that they are accepted as fact. Many of these tales are rooted in religion and superstition.   Also, Andy joins Stacy for the first segment. They talk about their timeline for moving and the architecture and amenities they both want in th...

In today's episode, Stacy chats with Esther Judge-Lennox, founder of Shacks on Racks. Shacks on Racks is an innovative company working hard to keep old houses out of the landfill by moving them before they are demolished. The mountain west is suffering from an acute housing shortage. Esther connects potential homeowners with available houses and facilitates the moving process.  And later, Alex joi...

In today's episode, Stacy is back in the Hudson Valley for the second of two shows recorded in front of a live audience. Old houses are money-hungry, and figuring out how to pay for rehabilitation and maintenance can be stressful. Susan and Will Brinson, Bradley Huber, Reggie Young, and Daniel Kanter join Stacy for a panel discussion about finances and budgeting. The panel gets real about how much...

In today's episode, Stacy is back in the Hudson Valley for the first of two shows recorded in front of a live audience. Stacy talks to Reggie Young from Hudson Valley House Parts. Reggie explains the logistics of the architectural salvage business and shares fascinating stories about the dire future of our historic built environment.  Also, the always hilarious Daniel Kanter joins Stacy for listen...

In today's episode, author David Giffels chats with Stacy about his humorous and heartfelt memoir, All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling down House . David Giffels is an author, essayist, journalist, and lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio. Also, Alex joins Stacy for Listener Q&A. They discuss where to find antique mail slots for a front door. To request a transcript of this episode, pleas...

October is ghost story month, so get ready for some goosebumps. In today's episode, Stacy shares four tales of the unexplained, including one from Blake Hill House . From pranks to thanks, each paranormal experience is unique.  To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via the contact page . PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog will...

In today's episode, Stacy and Alex discuss ways to choose and modify low-end cabinetry to make it more suitable and period-appropriate for an old house. And later, Stacy chats with long-time restoration contractor Stephen Ortado about four-leaf clovers and his most memorable encounters with spirits. October is ghost story month, so get ready for some goosebumps. To request a transcript of this epi...

In today's episode, Stacy and John Rodgers disagree during Q&A when a listener asks if she should abandon city life for a big old house in the country. And then later, Stacy chats with Scott Hanson, author of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners . They talk about his award-winning book, and how Scott introduces modern updates into his 19th-century home in Maine.  T...

In today's episode, Stacy visits the Silver Lake Institute, a small lake cottage community with a fascinating religious camp past. Brad and Stacy discuss his latest project house and the evolving history of the institute. Note: Brad's first house, a small bungalow, was featured on an episode of Cheap Old Houses on HGTV.   Also, Andy deGruchy from Limeworks.us joins Stacy for listener Q&A. Andy exp...

In today's episode, Danny Moody from Pro Historical joins Stacy for listener Q&A. They discuss why so many old houses have aluminum-wrapped exterior trim and whether removing it is a good or bad idea. And later, Stacy chats with Hugh Siler. Hugh restores small cottages in the Old Towne District of Orange, California. His eye for detail and unique take on preservation makes these homes highly sough...

In today's episode, live from Florida, Stacy chats with ten talented professionals involved in old house restoration . They discuss the mainstream shift they're seeing towards preservation and restoration and how they can continue to support positive change.   To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via  the contact page . WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS The Window Course from Scott Sidler...

In today's episode, Stacy chats with Joe Thornton, a 2nd generation Master Thatcher from the charming Cotswolds region of England. Roof thatching is a trade that has been around for thousands of years.  Also, Stacy and Jason Lamb discuss built-in box gutter basics. To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via  the contact page . PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS The Window Course from S...

In today's episode, Stacy and Alex talk about ways to get your DIY groove back when you're feeling overwhelmed. And later, Emily Heller talks about how inheriting a dilapidated old house changed the trajectory of her life, personal and professional. To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via  the contact page . WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS  The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Cra...

In today's episode, Stacy chats with artisan woodworker Paul Kenworthy. They discuss Paul's design process and what motivates and inspires his craft.  Also, Stacy and architect Katelyn Parker offer solutions for a listener struggling with a confusing front door situation. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog will teach you everything you need to kno...

In today's episode, Lindsay Jones from Blind Eye Restoration joins Stacy for Q&A. They've got bathroom remodeling on their minds as they talk about identifying poor-quality work and other problems lurking behind finished walls and floors. And later, Leslie Brians from the Pines Preservations Guild in North Carolina explains the ins and outs of Historic Districts and what they mean for homeowners....

In today's episode, Stacy and Alex discuss how they would handle the renovation of their old houses if money were no object. And later, Stacy chats with Nick Slavik, owner of the Nick Slavik Painting and Restoration company and the host of a weekly online social media show called Ask a Painter Live. Nick is also a business innovator and one of the most energetic and passionate people Stacy has eve...

In today's episode, you'll meet Melissa & Matt Dunphy. Melissa and Matt are privy diggers, amateur archaeologists, and hosts of The Boghouse Podcast. Also, during Q&A, Alex offers some excellent advice about updating the heating and cooling systems in your old house. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS For 10% off The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog, use the coupon code truetales. Ab...

In this episode, Stacy invites Alex from Old Town Home to help her answer the listener question, "How do you replace knob and tube wiring without destroying plaster walls? And later, Stacy chats with Alison Hardy, who launched the window restoration company Window Woman of New England nearly 20 years ago. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS For 10% off The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman...

In today's episode, you'll meet Jaya. He and his wife bought an abandoned farmhouse house in Japan that he is bringing back to life.  Also, Stacy and Dianne talk about the Scotland and Northern Ireland tour that Stacy is hosting in summer 2022. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS For 10% off The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog, use the coupon code truetales. Abatron manufacturers two...

In today's episode, Stacy talks to fire chief Roger LeBlanc about how long we really have to get out of a burning house, plus he shares his best fire safety advice for old house owners. Also, Stacy chats with Natalie Heneghan, the education manager of Rethos: Places Reimagined, a non-profit dedicated to supporting homeowners through DIY education and reimagining old buildings. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR S...

During this final episode of season six, Stacy welcomes Dave Mertz, program chair of the Building Preservation Program at Belmont College in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Also, Stacy offers several end-of-season updates, including the season seven listener question and a big travel announcement.  PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS For 10% off The Window Course from Scott Sidler of The Craftsman Blog, use the co...