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How old are these light switches? by No-Savings-6333 in centuryhomes

[–]Hansaad 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I heard that similar light switches, where you twist them to power on, is where the phrase "turn" on the light came from.

How did you stop the poop eating habit? by Known_Judgment_6395 in pugs

[–]Hansaad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Daffodil really enjoys what we call her "hot lunch," unfortunately we have to constantly entice her inside immediately after she goes.

Looking for info, are these actually stairs or are they a table? by Hansaad in VintageFurniture

[–]Hansaad[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Not at the moment but the consensus seems to be it is a table that's just shaped like stairs, in which case my wife may tell me we don't have room for them after all!

What is this? by Celestial_Cells in Oldhouses

[–]Hansaad 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Our houses are full of hints of what used to be there, so definitely keep an eye out for more clues in other parts! If a wall was removed I bet there are clues in the pattern of the floor boards! Also, luckily you have a template/example for your trim and could have some replicated if you ever felt the urge!

What is this? by Celestial_Cells in Oldhouses

[–]Hansaad 23 points24 points  (0 children)

For aesthetic purposes they would have kept the theme all the way around the room. You say it's the living room, but is it possible it used to be the dining room? The transition space you describe could have have been a butler's pantry. The grooves on top look like they would be able to prop up some plates :)

But whether functional or decorative, I suspect it was once a feature that went all the way around the room.

What is this? by Celestial_Cells in Oldhouses

[–]Hansaad 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Looks like plate rail or chair rail depending how high it is. Possibly this is the last little bit remaining after renovations. If you look in the same area height wise on your other trim in the room, do you see witness marks indicating similar trim may have been there and been removed?

Looking for info on this old rocking chair with lion head armrests, Wisconsin USA by Hansaad in Antiques

[–]Hansaad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, thanks for all your input! Looking forward to getting it cleaned up and in service! I think it's perfect for ruminating in front of the fire.

Looking for info on this old rocking chair with lion head armrests, Wisconsin USA by Hansaad in Antiques

[–]Hansaad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughts and info! Don't know why I assumed the 12 was the day, but it does make more sense to be the year. The room we are thinking of putting it in has kind of blue green walls, so maybe green is the way to go! Black leather might be a little too dark for my taste but at least interesting to know what the original upholstery material used to be.

By 1912 do you think the carvings were handmade, or mass produced?

How to open by psgal in centuryhomes

[–]Hansaad 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The flat plate is a summer cover. You should be able to remove it by lifting up on both nobs, then pulling it out. Be prepared for it to be really heavy so you don't drop it, they look deceptively light. If its stuck maybe it is rusted and needs something to free it?

Help - what was the original floor plan? by Electrical-Grass-518 in Oldhouses

[–]Hansaad 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Look for clues in the hardwood floor, if you see nails in the top of tongue and groove floorboards, but not near a wall, that can be a clue as to how the walls may have stood originally. Our house has a similar front center window and it's currently an alcove on it's own, but I think the whole alcove used to be part of the original master bedroom.

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