Dear Reader,
I would like to personally welcome you to our humble blog. We're here to tell our story, both exciting and horrifying, in our ownership experiences while living in and with our old home. This will be a long story and the saga will last for many years with hopefully many exciting posts. I shall be your story teller, so grab a blanket, snuggle with a loved one and re-live our experiences.
I am an engineer working in Connecticut. My wife teaches biology at a Massachusetts college. We have a rambunctious boy, Liam, an adorable baby girl, Emily and a mischievous cat, Oliver. The four and a half of us live in what has become known as the James Warner house, a 260+/- year old center chimney colonial.
I welcome you to read the very first post telling the story of our purchase of this home (see here) as well as our first winter storm in a home that has no insulation (see here). Ah, yes, the joy of feeling a crisp breeze of winter through one's window and walls.
I hope to bring to you our learning experiences in repairing the home and furnishing it while trying to juggle our jobs, personal lives and raising our children. I hope you will find our story interesting and informative. I welcome comments and suggestions (please no spam) and should you wish to contact me directly, I can be reached at confessionsofanantiquehome@gmail.com (I do not accept un-solicited emails or spam comments, they will not be posted).
Happy reading.
Steve
Steve
Logging you in...
Leslie Horst · 626 weeks ago
So happy to find your blog. We are moving to West Hartford in May and seriously considering buying a house from 1764. We too are old home people and love homes with lots of vintage and character.
We haven't made a bid yet, as we are still working through some budget issues (as you can guess). We are not handy people, and will need to hire out most things. Our current home is from 1905 (a beautiful old Craftsman house which I am very sad to leave) and we have learned a great deal living here so we are cautious buyers.
I was wondering if you would share the name of your home inspector? We obviously want someone well versed in old homes.
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I must admit I got teary-eyed reading your post about your "after-the-storm" experience. So stressful. We lost heat and electricity this past October after hurricane Sandy and all three of us were really sick with bronchitis and sinus infections ... Not fun.
Any other advice you would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated! These old homes are truly special but also extremely scary!
Many thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Best Regards,
Leslie H.
caisson5 0p · 586 weeks ago
I just found your blog and got sucked in for a solid hour. I'm intimately familiar with the joys and frustrations you're experiencing - my wife and I are restoring a 1754 colonial in Hillsborough, NC (theordinaryhouse.com).
Good luck - I look forward to following along!
Reid
Terry Grosvenor · 443 weeks ago
I am writing a book about my great, great Grandfather who lived in East Hartford and painted in the area. I own one of his oils, and after taking the painting out of the frame and finding the words "Daniel Warner's Evening, 1856, I began to do some research online last night. As luck would have it, I found the location, went on google earth, and it seems that my painting matches your house! I also read your great blog and will send you a copy of the painting to see what you think. It's a charming image from 170 years ago.! I'll submit my email address, so please send me yours Best, Terry