Spring, 2010

1910 home in the Fan neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia.

Project details:

  • Remove existing knee wall/railing
  • Build new balustrade to approximate 1910 version
  • Rebuild lower wrap around step

 

The Original balustrade with double box newel posts and landing was removed and replaced by this knee wall with a wood cap (seen below). 

Yikes!

In order to build this knee wall, the ends of each step were cut off.  This left us with no choice but to rebuild using a skirt box as opposed to open treads.

Now that the monster has been removed...

July, 2009

Ginter Park, Richmond, Virginia

Project Details:

  • Build custom corner cabinet to fit flat screen TV. 
  • Install cabinet on top of existing corner bench/air return. 

 

It looked a lot bigger in the shop.

June, 2009

Oregon Hill, Richmond, Virginia

Project Details:

  • Remove rail, balusters & newel post.
  • Recondition existing parts.
  • Duplicate missing rail sections and balusters using salvaged parts.
  • Add post at transition point using salvaged part.
  • Reinstall balustrade.
  • Apply antique finish.

This was going to be a tricky fix!

The main newel post had seperated from the front step.  It was very rickety.

The original rail transition had been hacked and changed.

A tricky job lay ahead.

This was a salvaged post I found at a yard. 

 

October, 2008

Jackson Ward, Richmond, Virginia 

Project Details: 

  • Remove staircase and rebuild using salvaged parts.
  • Apply antique finish throughout.
  • Recondition entry side lights & front door.

The entryway was in bad shape.  The door frame beneath the metal plate was completely splintered out.  The sidelights were covered with rough planks inside and out.  We suspected there might be a surprise beneath.

The door repair came out seamless and provided a nice support for the new hardware the homeowner picked out.

Yikes!  Someone did a number on this railing.

The main newel post was missing and needed to be salvaged. 

When the staircase is falling away from the wall it is never a good thing. 

This staircase will never fall apart.

All of these spinidles needed to be lengthened to meet the code for railing height.

The "dropped posts"  were added for strength.

This was a tricky piece to make.

Thank you Bill!