I’ve been writing here for almost two years about our dream of finding and restoring a historic home, about the two family flat we found in the Tower Grove East Historic Preservation District, and about the beginnings of our rehabilitation and restoration project. Finally all of the designing, planning, treasure and toil are taking tangible form as we near completion of the construction phase next month. Today lets look at the rear of the building.
The decks and steps pictured above are the original condition we found when we purchased the property in December 2014. It was vacant and has remained so since. There was rot, wear and deterioration in the floor boards of the decks and stair treads. Since the State Preservation Office allows more latitude for exterior alterations at the rear of a structure, our architect designed a new deck and balcony, sympathetically preserving the historic exterior access from both floors.
Then the work began.
At this point we also replaced the sewer main and demolished an undersized and deteriorated parking slab. Boarded openings on the house are historic windows and doors removed to a shop for restoration.
Construction of the new deck began along with re-installation of windows and doors, as completed, showing the new exterior paint scheme. True to the historic period of the home, we are using Craftsman Era colors, only, inside and out. White paint on a building of this construction and character is, frankly, an eyesore.
As the work on the deck proceeds and the new parking slab and walks take shape, the new look for the back of the house becomes a little clearer.
With the deck and cement work completed the new security fence installed and the doors and windows almost completed, we are very close to the final appearance of the area.
Add some landscape fabric and mulch for weed control and we are ready to begin construction on the raised planting beds we have planned. Summer, here we come. Note the community orchard under development across the alley. I love our neighbors and neighborhood here in Tower Grove East and can’t wait until we actually get to move in next month.
Next time — Interiors.