Renovation Innovation (116)When the famed architect William Cody passed away, his daughters asked Francisco Urrutia to help them return their home to its original condition. The nine month renovation captured the original spirit of the structure. Join us as we explore the home which celebrates Cody's signature Palm Springs modernist style .
Then it's on to Roswell, Ga., where the architect Lew Oliver designed a home inspired by pre-Civil War buildings. He purchased a vacant lot close to antebellum homes and based his plans on the Greek Revival style common to the era, attending to small details such as the wood and paint colors used.
Next, you'll meet Morgan and Gale Beardsley of Lanikai, Hawaii. The couple acquired property that was about to be condemned and decided to renovate the home in a style reminiscent of Morgan's childhood. Makeshift add-ons and poor upkeep had damaged the house, making the Beardsleys unsure whether it would be suitable for their family of five. However, their renovations have resulted in an open, airy, very livable abode.
Finally, take a tour of the building that was once the Dixie Furniture Factory. The renowned architect Arthur Q. Davis and his wife Mary moved into the factory after living for a number of years in an 18th century cottage in the New Orleans French Quarter. Following one year of negotiations, they began extensive renovations, including re-wiring, plumbing and replacing termite-ridden floors with slate tiles from Vermont. Beyond those vital changes, Arthur added texture to the home with stained glass panels and a painted cloud motif on the ceiling.
Palm Springs Modern Facts:
- William F. Cody designed the Palm Springs Spa Hotel (1959).
- The hotel's modernist indoor/outdoor design includes glass, rock, cement and corrugated metal.
- Vaporized glass has a blocking filter which reduces the penetration of ultraviolet rays. Glazing, tinting and using opaque materials instead of clear glass can reduce sunlight by 90 percent.
- Typical baths use about 30 gallons of hot water versus the approximately nine gallons needed for a five minute hot shower.
Resources:
Palm Springs Modern: Houses in the California Desert
by Adele Cygelman and David Glomb
Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis
by Alan Hess and Andrew Danish
Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
800-927-7256, www.palm-springs.org
Southern Reproduction Facts:
- Greek revival architecture was predominant during the antebellum period in the US. The design features columns, triangular pediments and impressive doorways.
- Stainless steel is the most popular and typically least expensive sink material. It should be 18 to 20 gauge—the lower the gauge, the heavier and more durable the steel.
- Of all the resources, wood is very durable and recyclable. Antique premium oak wood flooring costs approximately $5 per square foot.
Resources:
Antebellum Homes of Georgia
by David King Gleason
Historic Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-776-7935, www.cvb.roswell.ga.us
Architecture of the Old South: Greek Revival & Romantic
by Mills Lane
Refurbished Beach House Facts:
- When buying a home that has been lived in, it's advisable to purchase a homeowner warranty. Warranties cost approximately $350 to $450 per year and cover , among other things, plumbing, air-conditioning, heating and water heaters.
- Awnings deflect more than 75 percent of window solar heat and can reduce room temperatures by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Houses appraise for more when additions conform to their original style.
- In the kitchen, painted wood, metal, laminated plastic or wood-grain vinyl are easiest to clean.
Resources:
The Virgin Homeowner: The Essential Guide to Owning, Maintaining, and Surviving Your Home
by Janice Papolos
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—First-time home buying guide
www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm
Dream Cottages: 25 Plans for Retreats, Cabins, and Beach Houses
by Catherine Tredway
Converted Warehouse Facts:
- Brick will not warp, crack, rot, split, corrode or dent. It's also fire resistant and a natural sound barrier.
- The Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg's first chair design was an oversized, wooden cupped hand (1961).
Resources:
Introduction to Stained Glass: A Complete How-To-Do Stained Manual
by Randy A. Wardell, Judy Wardell
Renovating Old Houses
by George Nash
Restoring Houses of Brick & Stone
by Nigel Hutchins, Donna Farron Hutchins
