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Brett Waterman Home Restoration

1896 Queen Anne Victorian

A series of remodels through the decades had left this late-19th century beauty with a competing set of bland characteristics. Some dedicated teamwork define individual spaces and restored the home's late-Victorian era charm.

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Two From One

Step one for Waterman's team was stripping the woodwork down to original material and refinishing in a period appropriate stain, including refinishing the hardwood flooring.

They created separation in the front room by defining two spaces from one large area that had been opened up in previous decades. The installation of a pair of pony walls and matching columns split the space into two rooms—an entry hall and a parlor. The entry hall offers access to the staircase, and also features some out-of-the-ordinary seating. “We salvaged an old pew,” Waterman said.

In the parlor, a wall-sized shelving unit was removed in favor of the new pony wall and antique furniture. The pièce de résistance in the parlor, though, is the rebuilt fireplace. The fireplace surround had been removed completely during attempts to modernize the house. Some sleuthing, combined with inspiration from the house itself, allowed the team to fabricate a period-accurate centerpiece for the parlor.

“Not only did we restore the original finishes and materials on the inside and outside, we reinstated formal room separations that were removed at some point.”
—BRETT WATERMAN

Transformations

See before-and-after footage of all the exterior and interior areas touched by Waterman and his team.

Details We Love

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Restored Antique Fixture

A solid brass chandelier from the Victorian era was salvaged, cleaned and rewired to make it safe and functional hanging in the entry hall. New blown-glass shades maintain the restored period aesthetic.

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New Columns

New columns with crenellated cornices were constructed from sugar pine and redwood, and stained to match the original woodwork uncovered on the staircase and baseboards.

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A Fireplace Focal Point

The dimensions of the fireplace were derived from shadow lines in the paint. Its multi-stage, columnated appearance was inspired by visual and decorative elements from other fireplaces in the house.

Suppliers & Specs

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