Restoration Episodes

In this Memorial Day episode, Stacy wraps up Preservation Month with listener follow-ups, one final round of State of Restoration conversations from Pine Mountain, and a practical look into the complicated realities behind rehabbing historic commercial buildings. After touring a long-empty downtown building, Stacy started asking a much bigger question: What does it realistically take to save a building like that and turn it into a financially viable project? The answer involves far more than ...

In this episode, Preservation Month continues with another State of Restoration check-in and a look at one of the most overlooked forms of historic preservation: historic cemetery and headstone care. First, Stacy checks back in with the State of Restoration project, where one theme starting to emerge is that preservation often follows money. Then, she is joined by Justin Frost from Past Preservation to talk about historic cemetery preservation, headstone cleaning, and headstone repair. The...

In this week's episode, Stacy kicks off Historic Preservation Month by revisiting the State of Restoration voicemail project, sharing updates from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Then, she chats with Emma Shay about her 1924 Craftsman bungalow. They get into how Emma's first house, what she calls an “old house on easy mode," sparked a love and respect for old houses. That experience now shapes the thoughtful decisions she’s making to preserve charm and character without overcomplicating the p...

In this episode, Stacy explores the deal-breakers that shape how people approach buying an old house and how those decisions shift depending on life stage. She also chats with Michelle Bowers of Old House Life, who has watched that play out in real time.

In this episode, Stacy looks at why some of the most iconic Gilded Age mansions in Newport were nearly lost, and how that story connects to what’s happening right now with lead safety laws and historic windows in Rhode Island. If you think that is just a local issue, think again. Stacy takes listeners to Newport, Rhode Island, where some of the most over-the-top Gilded Age mansions in the country were almost lost when the world around them changed. For a time, there was no clear path forward,...

In this episode, Stacy brings in Scott Sidler as a guest co-host for some old house shop talk. They discuss the realities of preservation funding and infrared paint removers. Stacy begins with updates from the new State of Restoration project, sharing observations from Toledo and New Orleans, while Scott reports on what he’s seeing in Florida. The outlook for preservation funding is bleak, with zero state funding currently allocated for historic preservation projects. From there, the conve...

Wait...that's historic? Stacy digs into the 50-year rule, talks mid-century restoration with Sarah from 1957 House Down South, and visits the Kohler museum to see those famous vintage bathroom colors in person. Wait. That’s historic? At some point, the math catches up with us. In this episode, Stacy takes a look at the preservation benchmark often called the 50-year rule and what happens when houses and buildings many of us still think of as “modern” cross the threshold used to evaluate hi...

Just after Stacy announces she is keeping Blake Hill House, winter responds in a very expensive way. She shares the latest twist in her restoration journey before welcoming Jessica Rhodes to discuss restoring an Italianate home in the public eye. They also talk about making decisions that serve real life, not just an audience. The episode concludes with the launch of a new listener feature exploring the state of preservation across the country.

In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses, Contractor and preservationist Brent Hull joins hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter to talk craftsmanship, good design, and why historic homes deserve better. Plus, learn how psychic realtor...

Stacy and Daniel kick off Season 12 with old house updates, product tips, and a lively conversation on preserving historical materials.  In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses, Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter are back and ready to...

In today's episode, live from Florida, Stacy chats with ten talented professionals involved in old house restoration. They discuss the mainstream shift they're seeing towards preservation and restoration and how they can continue to support positive...

In today's episode, Stacy chats with Joe Thornton, a 2nd generation Master Thatcher from the charming Cotswolds region of England. Roof thatching is a trade that has been around for thousands of years.  Also, Stacy and Jason Lamb discuss built-in...

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Jaya. He and his wife bought an abandoned farmhouse house in Japan that he is bringing back to life.  Also, Stacy and Dianne talk about the Scotland and Northern Ireland tour that Stacy is hosting in the summer...

In today's episode, Stacy talks to fire chief Roger LeBlanc about how long we really have to get out of a burning house, plus he shares his best fire safety advice for old house owners. Also, Stacy chats with Natalie Heneghan, the education manager of...

During this final episode of season six, Stacy welcomes Dave Mertz, program chair of the Building Preservation Program at Belmont College in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Also, Stacy offers several end-of-season updates, including the season seven listener...

In today's episode, Stacy enjoys a conversation with Joe Peterson, longtime listener, first-time guest. Joe is at the tail end of restoring his childhood home, an authentic farmhouse in New Brunswick, Canada. Also, Stacy talks to Aaron, founder of the...

On today’s show, the first in front of a live audience in beautiful Hudson Valley, New York, Stacy talks to the always hilarious Daniel Kanter about revitalizing his community through the Kingston City Land Bank. Also, Stacy meets her previous...

In today’s episode, Stacy is thrilled to welcome back Elizabeth Finkelstein from the wildly popular Instagram Account and recent HGTV and Discovery+ TV Series, Cheap Old Houses. Also, during listener Q&A, Stacy welcomes back John Rodgers. Stacy...

On today's episode, Stacy enjoys a conversation with Greg, a fun-loving Brit best known as Man with a Hammer, on Instagram.  Also, during listener Q&A, Stacy welcomes back John Rodgers. Stacy and John discuss ways to find a good contractor.

In this episode, Steve Jordan, preservation specialist, author of The Window Sash Bible, and longtime contributing editor to Old House Journal, talks about a lifetime of work in the building trades and offers helpful do-it-yourself advice too. ...

In this episode, Stacy chats with Christopher Hewitt. Christopher started My Old House fix, a blog, website, and Facebook group to offer a place for old house owners to find the answers to their DIY questions and dilemmas. Also, Stacy discusses...

For today's special field trip episode, Stacy travels to historic St. Joseph, Missouri, to visit John Rodgers of Phoenix Preservation. Stacy and John chat about his path to the trades, what he wishes old house owners would stop doing, and the special...

One of the most popular old house questions is, “What color should I paint my house?” Kristine Teno from Teno Interiors is here with some tips and ideas for choosing an exterior paint color you’ll love. Also, Alex from Old Town Home is back to...

In this episode, Stacy asks Natalie Yon-Eriksson from Earth and Flax all the linseed oil paint questions she’s been wondering about over the years. Is it easy to use? How is it made? What are the benefits and limitations of linseed oil paint?...