True Tales From Old Houses
True Tales From Old Houses is a light-hearted, entertaining, and educational show for lovers of old houses and buildings, DIYers, history buffs, and restoration and preservation junkies. Available bi-weekly, host Stacy Grinsfelder shares personal project updates, listener Q & A, and interviews with engaging old house owners, restoration professionals, and craftspeople.
Episodes
In this episode, Stacy chats with Karyn Norwood, an architectural historian and teacher. Karyn founded the popular Instagram account, What Style is That? an educational and fun side-project where she photographs, identifies, and labels the defining features of old American architecture.
Also, Stacy and Ashley discuss when, and if it’s ever ok to “fake” historic features using modern replacements.
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? Natalie has the answers to all of those questions and plenty more.
Also, Stacy and Alex from Old Town Home discuss the best first project to tackle when you buy an old house.
In this, the 50th episode, Stacy is on location visiting Robert Goller, historian for the town of Aurora and village of East Aurora, New York. Stacy and Robert discuss methods for researching the history of an old house and how local lore often becomes the last word even when the stories are incorrect. Additionally, Robert talks about the importance of documenting and sharing uncomfortable history with accuracy and sensitivity.
At ...
In this episode, Stacy welcomes back long-time friend of the show, Scott Sidler, from The Craftsman Blog. Stacy and Scott discuss the high-quality formulas hidden behind the paint store counter and best practices for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Scott wraps up the show with info about his new self-paced window restoration course for DIYers.
Stacy and Lindsay from Blind Eye Restoration also discuss their favorite modern product...
In this episode, Stacy and Bill from Enon Hall discuss momentum and maintaining enthusiasm for long-term projects.
Later, Stacy is on location at The Tool Library in Buffalo, New York. The city of Buffalo is comprised of around 90% old house inventory. Guests Darren and Maddie explain The Tool Library’s origins and how the sharing economy benefits renters, homeowners, and communities.
In this episode, Stacy and Ashley from The Gold Hive discuss oddball additions to historic structures.
Later, Stacy welcomes Lindsay Jones from Blind Eye Restoration, a woman-owned architectural conservation company in Columbus, Ohio. Lindsay shares about preservation from a construction perspective.
In this first episode of Season five, Stacy is flying solo. Feeling lonely, she invites a past podcast guest to join her for listener Q&A.
Later, she talks to Laine and Kevin Berry of Our Restoration Nation about their preservation projects and life post-Louise, the Big Little House in Louisville, Georgia.
In Devyn's final episode as co-host, he and Stacy discuss their house goals for 2021.
Later, they welcome Stephen and David St. Russel, owners of a Boston-area Victorian. Driven by boundless energy and curiosity, Stephen and David talk about adding character back to the shell of a house they bought, the One Room Challenge, and beekeeping.
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss how they determine which work to DIY and which to hire out. Safety first!
Later, they welcome Karolyn Fuller, also known as Lady Dukart, on Instagram. As a child, Karolyn biked the backroads around her rural home, exploring abandoned old houses and daydreaming about restoring one of her own. Now, her dream has come true. Through her camera's lens, Karolyn sees beauty in the process, not ...
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss their favorite features of their old houses.
Later, they seek common ground with Ward Schraeder, co-host of HGTV's Bargain Mansions. Can they find it? Will you?
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn discuss building products and techniques they'd bring back to the mainstream as well as modern construction materials they happily use instead.
Later, they welcome Richard Cann from the UK. Richard rescues stained glass windows from the dump and sells them as art pieces. Richard offers a fascinating look into the process of making art glass as well as the modern beliefs that lead people to repla...
Big news! Today kicks off the fall fundraising merchandise event. True Tales From Old Houses, tees, and hoodies are available for a limited time. Visit TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com for purchase information as well as show notes and transcripts from this episode.
In this episode, Devyn and Stacy revisit past projects to report on how they’ve held up over the years.
Later, Stacy finally shares the experience that converted her from a ...
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn talk about their favorite DIY tasks related to old houses.
Later, guest John Harrington kicks off the October ghost story series. His story is a tale of items lost and then found in the most serendipitous ways.
For more information and transcripts, visit the show notes on TrueTalesFromOldHouses.com.
In this episode, Devyn and Stacy talk about how their families feel about their dedication to old houses.
Later, they welcome Bill Chapman. Known as the "Granddaddy of the house blog movement," Bill and his wife Gay have been restoring and rehabbing Enon Hall for over 20 years!
This episode is part two of two, and today's focus is on Bill's favorite projects and burnout.
In this episode, Devyn and Stacy offer advice to a listener about her window restoration dilemma.
Later, they welcome Bill Chapman. Known as the "Granddaddy of the house blog movement," Bill and his wife Gay have been restoring and rehabbing Enon Hall for over 20 years! Bill's story is one of trust and vision. Although we cannot change history, we can shape the future.
Today's episode is part one of two.
Stacy is on vacation. So, this week's episode includes bonus content plus an "Everyone Loves Cheap Old Houses and Elizabeth Finkelstein," reprise.
What the heck is a rathskeller? Fan favorites, Alicia and Zach, from episode #35, share a fun story about this very German and Milwaukee-specific room.
Episode #11: Everyone Loves Cheap Old Houses and Elizabeth Finkelstein first aired July 15, 2019. Today's version has b...
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn talk about what they wish they'd known before they bought their old houses. They also offer practical advice to house hunters.
Later, Stacy talks to Lee Ann, lover of all things Victorian and flow blue pottery. A wealth of knowledge about flow blue, Lee Ann explains the origin of the style, learning how to spot fakes, and some resources and tips for starting a collection.
In this episode, Stacy briefly discusses the basics of homeowner's insurance as it relates to old houses. Riveting!
Later, Stacy and Devyn welcome guests, Alicia & Zach. After Zach found the blueprints of their old house tucked away in a built-in cupboard, the pair went down a rabbit hole of serious research. As we listened to their story, we couldn't help but wonder what we, as old house owners, should be leaving behin...
In this episode, Devyn and Stacy, who both live in the Eastern US, answer the question, "If you moved to the west coast, would you still seek out an old house?"
Later, Devyn and Stacy enjoy a conversation with the always lively and endearing, Daniel Kanter. The interview ranging from hilarious to serious, discusses topics such as the highs and lows of DIY, the sometimes caustic comments from invested readers, and the zen o...
Welcome to Season Four of True Tales From Old Houses!
In this episode, Stacy and Devyn answer the listener question, "How much hands-on work do you do?"
Today's guest is Alex Santantonio from the popular blog and Instagram account, Old Town Home. In 2003, Alex and Wendy bought a row house in Old Town Alexandria, and they've had a love affair with restoration and DIY ever since. With seventeen years of old hous...
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