Forum Archive: Restoration

Trying to find crown molding in tin to match an existing tin ceiling. Any recommendations about where to look?

Hi everyone, we are hoping to get original front doors restored. Any recs for professional restorer who has reasonable rates?
We’ll also need fireplace restoration done, any recs?

I’m currently in the process of completing a project with a 203K loan. I’m set to move into my house at the end of December and feel great about the overall results. This is an overwhelming process (203K) and I’d be willing to help anyone with and input that is needed.

Also, using DAF Contracting has been a lifesaver with this type of loan. I’d be happy to refer anyone to them if needed.

I just stripped a newel post with Peel Away, got it down to the wood, and rubbed it down with denatured alcohol as directed. However, a day later, the wood is starting to look bleached. Is this because there is still stripper on it, or is this an affect of the denatured alcohol? Does anyone know what I should treat it with to make it all nice and woody again? And after that, how to finish? Wax? Varnish? What would have been used traditionally?

When our apartment building was first constructed in 1927, the interior walls in the hallways and stairs (plaster over concrete) were patterned to look like stones in a castle. See the attached photo. I believe this was part of the faux-medieval look that you see in many of the pre-war apartment buildings in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush.

Two questions:

(1) Does anyone know the name for this style of plasterwork?

(2) Can anyone recommend a plaster-worker or restoration team that can recreate this style? (Our building is undergoing elevator work, and we do not want to have scars visible in the plasterwork around the new elevator call panels.)

Thanks!

We are in need of someone to repair / paint / install our original wooden shutters in our brownstone. We don’t seem to have the proper hinges/hardware and would like to have someone take a look and give us an estimate. Does anyone have any suggestions for carpenters that would be interested in this job? Thanks!

This is a pretty basic question by Brownstoner standards, but bear with me… I live in a rental with what look to be rather incredible brass hardware (drawer pulls, door brackets) currently covered by several layers of white paint. I can tell that underneath that paint is some intricately patterned metal work, and I’d like to expose it. What’s the easiest, most non-toxic method? I am able to remove the hardware. I have no access to outdoor space and have pets, so I want to keep this clean and fume-free if possible.

I have just moved into a limestone house in Crown Heights which needs some work, including a kitchen reno. While peeling off the wall’s many layers of paint I uncovered white chalky brickwork. It looks like white enamel brick work – I think it looks good, and would like to expose it and coat it (since it is so powdery). Has anybody else seen something similar, or does this just need to be covered back up?

I need to find a match to an old 4-panel pocket door – or else find a pair of matching doors for the same space. Doors need to be 32 X 90, or cutable to that size.

I know the guy in the Lowes parking lot has some doors – any other sources? Thanks in advance…