Getting city approval: digital applications vs. old-school paperwork - Been there with the “bring it all, just in case” routine. My house is on the h...

- Couldn’t agree more, but I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a little impractical beauty now and then. - In my 1920s place, I tried to keep the original bui...

I get the appeal of water-based poly—less hassle, dries fast, and you can actually walk on it without tiptoeing around for days. But I’ve gotta say, I...

- I’ve found that referencing the original blueprints or historic photos can sometimes sway them, especially if you’re restoring instead of just updat...

Totally get the rug and curtain suggestion—great first step. But if your place is anything like mine (built in 1890, drafty as heck...), sometimes you...

- Totally feel you on the winter bulb-changing dread... been there, done that, not fun. - From my experience with an older home (think quirky wiring a...

Honestly, sometimes spotting trouble early isn't even realistic with these old houses. I've learned to just assume there's always something lurking be...