Renovation Bug Still Strong 25 Years Later
We just received a used copy of a brownstone renovation book from 25 years ago that we had found on Amazon. We thought the opening paragraph would touch a chord with more than a few of our readers: Satisfying an urge to renovate a house can be frustrating, consume endless amounts of time, patience and…
We just received a used copy of a brownstone renovation book from 25 years ago that we had found on Amazon. We thought the opening paragraph would touch a chord with more than a few of our readers:
Satisfying an urge to renovate a house can be frustrating, consume endless amounts of time, patience and money, can threated a marriage, alienate friends and employer, present unbelievable legal complications, and occasionally end in bankruptcy for the owner. However, all sorts of people, from newlyweds to grandparents, are charting such a rocky course for themselves in increasing numbers in many cities around the country. The obvious explanation lies in the challenge presented by a carefully conceived and well executed renovation and the financial rewards which are possible. The results invariably are satisfying, particularly in larger cities where in contrast to the concrete-steel-glass trilogy of commercial structures, the attractive, warm charm of the reconstructed row house stands as a lasting example of good residential accomodation.
“How to Renovate Townhouses and Brownstones” by William H. Edgerton, Litton Educational Publishing, 1980.
The Old House Journal was a great resource, though I’m not sure how you go about getting old copies. Also I’m not sure if it still publishes. The early years were heavily brownstone oriented.
keith g,
hmmm maybe you should talk/email with “brownstoner”.
he and wife are renovating their own brownstone ( i think they even have a website documenting the progress of it)… and may have the some of the answers you are looking for.
( have you tried looking at “Bricks and Brownstone”?? you can inspect it at barnes and noble thoroughly, to see if it is right for you…)
good luck!
Well, I was so anxious to finally get the resource I was hoping for with this book, but I was really disappointed. The title fooled me. I was hoping for a hands-on angle with a historical perspective on how these homes were built which would guide me in renovating. (It is so generic and elementary: I already know what the role of an architect or a contractor is.) I guess I will keep looking. Most brownstone books that I have encountered are focused on the grand homes, but none so far offer much in the way of construction, materials, engineering, heating, plumbing: all the stuff you encounter when you buy an old home. A lot of us want to renovate with respect for what is already there, if it can be restored, or used if it is in good shape. We bought old brownstones because of what they are. I love the history, including how and why things were built, not out of nostalgia, but because of the character of the brownstone. I am a dedicated city dweller with good old fashioned values of human scale spaces and the beauty of art, history, culture and neighbors who have a pride in living together in community. Am I a dreamer? Well, the brownstone neighborhoods of Brooklyn give me this possibility. Sorry if I digress, but I guess I will continue to look for the book that tells me the things I want to read about with regard to brownstone living, not just the mansions, or how to buy a home. This book just ain’t it.
great minds think alike… i was just about to suggest “you dont have to be rich to own a brownstone” as well…
looking at the prices cited in there you would laugh!!!!
good ideas though>> buy a 3 family,,, keep one unit for self, let the others pay off mortgage/overhead.
i was talking to charles lockwood about that last time!!
tally ho!
Maybe you’re thinking of “You don’t have to be rich to own a brownstone” by Joy Wilkes, from 1973. Sweet. Plenty of copies on abebooks.com. Not shilling for abebooks – regular readers know me – just… love… abe… books…… (I have a bit of book issue like Mr. Stoner has an LP issue)
Nope. We’ll try to find a copy online.
have you seen ‘anyone can own a brownstone’ published in the early 1970s?
Amen brother.