DIY Network

Folk-Victorian Foyer Renovation: Recap From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-111

Nashville Skyline. Today's restoration project takes place in a historic neighborhood near downtown Nashville.

In this episode of DIY's Restoration Realities, we took on some restoration projects in the turn-of-the-century Nashville home of Erik and Allison Lund. To restore the Lund’s entry hall to a period look, we uncovered the transom lights, salvaged transom windows, restored an old Victorian door, put wallboard over crumbling plaster, and created a reproduction Victorian picture molding. The final steps were to prime and paint the walls and ceiling and to prepare to install the newly-painted transom windows. In our case, the transoms utilized flush-mounted top hinges that were simply screwed into position. A final coat of paint and the newly restored entry hall is done. Changing the light fixture to one that is more period-appropriate finished the look of the foyer.

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Removal of the drop ceiling returns this foyer to its former glory with a greater sense of space and scale.

"It was really important to us to make a difference in this room," says Erik, "just because it's the first impression. And now, to us, it feels like you’re stepping into a whole new house."

"It just seems like a totally different room," says Allison, "It just seems a lot larger. Just the few added inches of the ceiling height just opens it up so much. It doesn’t make it so claustrophobic.

	BEFORE. The doorways with transoms concealed.
	AFTER. The entryway transoms restored.
	The "new" vintage door and hardware.

Tools used in this episode:

Speedheater® infrared paint-removal system
Hammer
Flat bar
Pry bar
Utility knife
Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
Floor scraper
Paint scrapers
Putty knife
Cordless drill and bits
Miter saw
Circular saw
Pneumatic finish-nail gun
Hand planer
Belt sander
Random-orbit sander
Router and bits
Wallboard jab saw
Rasp
Mud pan
Taping knife
8", 10", 12" mud knives
Corner tool
Clean drywall bucket
Mixing paddle (paint mixer for drill)
Paint brushes
Quart cut-in buckets
Paint roller frame, extension pole and pan
Paint mixing sticks
Dropcloths

Materials used in this episode:

Pneumatic finish nails (1.5", 2", and 2.5")
Paint stripper (meth chloride)
Steel wool (various coarseness)
Sandpaper (various grit)
Disc-sander sheets (various grit)
Belt sander belts
Solvents gloves
Cloth rags
5 minute drywall compound
20 minute drywall compound
Drywall tape (250' paper type)
Drywall
Picture molding or stock
Primer
Paint
Window glazing compound
2" Disposable brushes
Roller covers (2-3/4" and 2-1/2")
Contractor-grade garbage bags
2" painters tape "(blue tape")
Plastic sheeting

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the procedures shown in this episode of Restoration Realities. There may be variations in procedures for your particular restoration project based on the types of materials you select and the nature or extent of your particular project. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with materials or products that you select.

RESOURCES :

Victorian: American Restoration Style
Model: 0879058870
Author: Joan M. Brierton
Publisher: Gibbs Smith Publishers
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Renovating and Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide to Maximum Value Remodeling
Author: Lawrence Dworin
Publisher: Craftsman Book Company
ISBN: 1572180293
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Selecting and Renovating an Old House: A Complete Guide
Author: United States Department of Agriculture
July 2000
Publisher: Dover Publications
ISBN: 0486409562
Order this title from Amazon.com.