The Renovation Unfolds

As a new homeowner to an old home, one expects to find lots of interesting things, and so we did. This first phase of renovation has been all about uncovering and discovering. Some of these discoveries are illustrated in the photo collage below. (clockwise)

Bill has been sorting, scooping, breaking-down, and piling up all the "stuff" that was left behind in the basement over the years and passed down to us. Some big things; a furnace and water tank, plumbing pipes, picnic table, and shelving... and lots of small things; bottles, wood scraps, wires, and preserved canned vegetables. He is also assessing and managing "the creek" that runs through the basement floor. Yes, we have a natural spring of water in our basement dirt floor.

Over the front door is a typical decorative fan*. If this panel was original to the structure, it would likely have had a pattern of brick surrounding it. We could see a granite lintel* peaking out of either side of the wood fan. There is also a dark pattern of brick in a triangle above the lintel, suggesting a pedimented roof once covered the doorway.

The yellow and green colored glass transom windows are probably not original, but, they are a unique feature to the Little Brick House. We were surprised to discover the Living Room transoms that we could see from the exterior, were not exposed on the interior. We now have yellow and green colored glass transoms in two rooms. This is a very happy house.

The south elevation of the kitchen had two boarded-up windows that could be seen from the porch side. It seemed illogical not to have southern exposure, and a view out to the porch from the kitchen. We will do with less cabinetry to gain more sunshine.

Wall-to-wall carpeting covered the wide pine floors in two of three bedrooms and the hallway on the second floor. There are many layers of paint to be removed. The front bedroom has a beautiful floor, giving us inspiration to strip the others.

North Bridgton is home to 200-year-old Post-graduate school, Bridgton Academy. We have a beautiful view of the Chapel's steeple from the dormer in the second floor hallway. One more way to connect to the history of our home.

*The decorative fan is getting much needed repairs and a new home with our neighbor, Ed Somers, a woodworker and furniture-maker who will be helping us restore our home.

*A lintel is a horizontal beam used in the construction of buildings, and supports masonry above a window or door opening. They are made of different materials, wood, stone, steel, and concrete.