True Tales From Old Houses

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss their favorite features of their old houses.  Later, they seek common ground with Ward Schraeder, co-host of HGTV's Bargain Mansions. Can they find it? Will you?  show notes & transcripts

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss building products and techniques they'd bring back to the mainstream as well as modern construction materials they happily use instead. Later, they welcome Richard Cann from the UK. Richard rescues stained glass windows from the dump and sells them as art pieces. He offers insight into salvaging stained glass from British houses and discusses the modern bel...

Big news! Today kicks off the fall fundraising merchandise event. True Tales From Old Houses, tees, and hoodies are available for a limited time. Visit TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com for purchase information as well as show notes and transcripts from this episode. In this episode, Devyn and Stacy revisit past projects to report on how they've held up over the years.  Later, Stacy finally shares the ex...

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn talk about their favorite DIY tasks related to old houses.  Later, guest John Harrington kicks off the October ghost story series. His story is a tale of items lost and then found in the most serendipitous ways.  For more information and transcripts, visit the show notes on TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com.

In this episode, Devyn and Stacy talk about how their families feel about their dedication to old houses.  Later, they welcome Bill Chapman. Known as the "Granddaddy of the house blog movement," Bill and his wife Gay have been restoring and rehabbing Enon Hall for over 20 years!  This episode is part two of two, and today's focus is on Bill's favorite projects and burnout.

In this episode, Devyn and Stacy offer advice to a listener about her window restoration dilemma.  Later, they welcome Bill Chapman. Known as the "Granddaddy of the house blog movement," Bill and his wife Gay have been restoring and rehabbing Enon Hall for over 20 years! Bill's story is one of trust and vision. Although we cannot change history, we can shape the future.  Today's episode is part on...

Stacy is on vacation. So, this week's episode includes bonus content plus an "Everyone Loves Cheap Old Houses and Elizabeth Finkelstein," reprise. What the heck is a rathskeller? Fan favorites, Alicia and Zach, from episode #35, share a fun story about this very German and Milwaukee-specific room.  Episode #11: Everyone Loves Cheap Old Houses and Elizabeth Finkelstein first aired July 15, 2019. To...

In this episode, Stacy and Devyn talk about what they wish they'd known before they bought their old houses. They also offer practical advice to house hunters.  Later, Stacy talks to Lee Ann, lover of all things Victorian and flow blue pottery. A wealth of knowledge about flow blue, Lee Ann explains the origin of the style, learning how to spot fakes, and some resources and tips for starting a col...

In this episode, Stacy briefly discusses the basics of homeowner's insurance as it relates to old houses. Riveting! Later, Stacy and Devyn welcome guests, Alicia & Zach. After Zach found the blueprints of their old house tucked away in a built-in cupboard, the pair went down a rabbit hole of serious research. As we listened to their story, we couldn't help but wonder what we, as old house owners,...

In this episode, Devyn and Stacy, who both live in the Eastern US, answer the question, "If you moved to the west coast, would you still seek out an old house?"  Later, Devyn and Stacy enjoy a conversation with the always lively and endearing, Daniel Kanter. The interview ranging from hilarious to serious, discusses topics such as the highs and lows of DIY, the sometimes caustic comments from inve...

  Welcome to Season Four of True Tales From Old Houses!   In this episode, Stacy and Devyn answer the listener question, "How much hands-on work do you do?"   Today's guest is Alex Santantonio from the popular blog and Instagram account, Old Town Home. In 2003, Alex and Wendy bought a row house in Old Town Alexandria, and they've had a love affair with restoration and DIY ever since. With seventee...

In today's episode, Stacy and Devyn answer a listener's question about design regrets.  Also, what protections and benefits, if any, do national, state, and local historic designations offer for your old house? We asked preservation professional, Melissa Mortimer, to give us some answers.  Show Notes & Transcripts

In today's episode, Devyn and Stacy tackle the question, "Would you rather fix up your old house all at once or take your time?"  Also, Stacy discusses decorative plaster restoration with Terry Wullenweber, a master of plaster for over 40 years. This is the last episode recorded on their visit to New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky,  Show Notes & Transcripts

In February, mere weeks before COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Stacy and her friend Drew went on the first True Tales From Old Houses field trip. Unfortunately, Devyn was still on medical leave.  The plan was to interview two restoration specialists and visit two historic buildings in Indiana and Kentucky. Today's bonus episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the trip.  Stacy and Drew sh...

In today's episode, Devyn and Stacy answer the listener question, "How do you choose a color scheme for a large house?" Continuing the color theme, today's guest is artisan, Rhonda Deeg, from RLD Glass Art and Restoration. Rhonda's life has been full of rich, cultural experiences as well as many practical life lessons she learned from her parents early-on. Rhonda's passion for glass and life-long...

In this episode, Devyn and Stacy answer the following question submitted by a listener: "How do you furnish your homes? What type of antiques?" Also, Today's guest is Paige. Paige and her husband Trevor have a house moving story--with a twist! After finding their dream fixer-upper in Seattle, Washington, Paige and Trevor made renovation plans. However, they soon discovered that the city's bureaucr...

In this episode, Stacy spends a full hour with Scott Sidler from The Craftsman Blog . He answers all your window restoration questions in a fun game show format.  Be sure to visit TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com linked below for the show notes, which include complete transcripts of this episode.  Episode #27  

During this episode, Stacy and Devyn revisit the listener question, "Have you ever lived in a newer construction home? If so, what did you like and dislike about it?" Today's guest, Tyler, is doing his best to make sound renovation and restoration decisions regarding lead, mold, and asbestos while living adjacent to a Superfund site. Complicating matters is that he and his wife are parents to a to...

In this episode, after a long absence for medical treatment, Devyn is back! Stacy and Devyn answer a listener's question, "How do you heat and cool your houses?" Today's guest is Ashley Goldman, a serial researcher with a focus on sustainability and making our old houses as energy-efficient as possible. She also has insight into what it is like to live in a designated historic district. This episo...

In this episode, Stacy brings you up to date on the restoration and renovation projects going on at Blake Hill House and Devyn's Philadelphia rowhouse . After, Stacy and Devyn answer a listener question, "How old is an old house?"  Today's guest is Ashley Goldman, a serial researcher with a focus on sustainability and making our old houses as energy-efficient as possible. She also has insight into...

In this episode, Stacy begins by answering the following question from a listener: "Have you ever lived in a new construction home? If so, what did you like and dislike about it?" Then, Stacy sits down with listener-turned-guest, David Stahl. Stacy and David discuss how he and his wife became the inadvertent owners of two building's worth of architectural salvage, their plans for it all, and that...

Now that season three is underway, Stacy talks about how she started and almost quit producing True Tales From Old Houses. The learning curve was steep.  Then, Stacy spends time with the very talented Cathy and Garrett Poshusta from The Grit and Polish blog and Instagram. They talk about design inspiration, fun old house finds, and what it's really like to film a pilot for HGTV.  Be sure to check...

It's officially Season 3! Struggling to get past a case of the neverending Mondays, Stacy talks about window restoration, The Year of the Window at Blake Hill House, and she offers an update on Devyn's health.  During Segment II, Stacy welcomes guest, Amy Heavilin. Amy writes a blog at VivaciousVictorian.com, and she started the hashtag #52WeeksofHome on Instagram. As a woman with a clear sense of...

In today's episode, my guest, Jason Lamb, is involved in a long-term restoration and renovation project with no end in sight. He and I sat down to talk about the benefit and curse of perfectionism, burnout, buying an old house, and whether or not he would do it all over again.

During October, we received so many spooky old house stories that we put three of them together for this bonus Halloween episode. From the Catskills of New York to small-town Georgia, our guests report unexplained sounds, smells, and songs.   Story #1: Casey and the Shadow People  Story #2: Charlie Hears a Whisper  Story #3: Bad News Natalie, You've Got Haints!