There's nothing like the original

[Rory Bremner]

Restoring a old house is always about compromise. I battle with myself sometimes, do I replace or do I restore? It's a constant in a world of time vs money and old vs new. But, there are some elements of an older home that can't be replicated with an off the rack replacement.

I'm finding the more I devote to this old place, the more I want to preserve its seemingly smaller artifacts.

Case in point, the doorbell. This consumed more hours than the actual painting of the front doors. Covered in generations of paint and goodness knows, it's aged patina is now set to welcome the next arriving visitor.

[shabbychick]

Very nice, Rory! I can only imagine what a lot of work it was to scrape all that old paint off of it, but it was sure worth the effort. It's beautiful. What other little things do you have that you're going to restore instead of replacing?

[Rory Bremner]

Thanks Shabby. Original light switches are on that list too, but the original wiring is not!

[mac78]

Looks Good!
As we some times say here.....3 beers later and we are finally done. ;):)

[Queenofthecastle]

Nicely done Rory!

What age and style is your house?

I think it is a different & special breed of people that take on the caretaking of old houses.

I often think of how much life would be easier (and cheaper, and more energy efficient) if I owned a *new* house... but this old one has my heart, even with all her many quirks and layers of paint.

[Breezy]

You did a lovely job restoring the "ringer". Well done!!!

[RoseMary]

Great job, Rory!

[Rory Bremner]

Many thanks folks. Queenofthecastle, my place is 1932 brick bungalow, kind of rare in our city.

[allen820]

I'm with you, Rory. You have a treasure there, and in my way of thinking, you have an obligation to preserve it. At least, that's how I feel about my 1933 house. We have been distraught this summer that a couple bought a similar original Norris home very near us, and then ruined just about every aspect of it with an obscene remodel. Those of us here in this community who are purists are essentially grieving at the loss this community has suffered at the hands of these poor folks who have no clue about the privelege/obligation of caring for such a special place.

Well, I could go on with my soap box, but it's obvious your home is in good, caring hands!

Allen

[Rory Bremner]

Allen, I couldn't agree with you more.

[mac78]

Allen, I just noticed you are in Norris, TN. I have been thru there a few times, actually to Norris Dam when we would go to Pigeon Forge. Beautiful country.

[allen820]

Hi, Marie. Yes, we live in the original Norris town very near the dam. I agree, this is a beautiful section of the world! And I guess you are familiar with our history, i.e. how the town came to be. Thankfully, most of the original cottage homes have been well cared for and the idea of the garden community from the 1933 beginning still prevails. For grins, I'll post a scan of an old post card I found on e-bay which shows not only a 1930's scene from Norris, but actually shows my house! And if you were to drive through today, you could easily recognize the area, as it really has changed very little since the scene was done. The hemlock tree certainly has grown, but the stone steps, the stone lined gutters, the fire plug -- all still here! Ours is the brick right in the middle of the scene. I think I posted this once before, but what the heck.

Did you get to the Appalachian Museum while you were here?? That's a really neat place to spend an afternoon, if you have the time and the inclination.

Allen

[mac78]

I am sorry, I don't know the history of the Norris Dam or the town. We have taken the kids there pry 4 or 5 times over the years, meaning the Pigeon Forge area, for vactions because it is only an 8 hour drive for us and it is so beautiful there. Guess I need to look up the history of the town.

We have talked going back to Pigeon Forge again someday, as I would like to take Dave to the Titanic Museum. If we ever do, I will look you up. The postcard is so quaint. I could definately live there.

[Rory Bremner]

Cool postcard Allen, have you ever been to Rugby, Tennessee?

[allen820]

Marie, I have been wanting to go to the Titanic Museum, too, but just have not taken the time. I have heard mixed reviews from folks that have gone there, but I think it would be pretty cool. May get around to it someday.

Rory -- Rugby. I love that place! Have been there many times. Actually, we had seriously considered moving there before we came here to Norris. The Board that runs the place has opened up some land which is being sold in tracts for folks who desire to build Victorian homes and become a part of that community. It's sort of a completion of the Utopian dream of 1880 which created the town. It is less than an hour from my house. Sometimes my wife and I decide we need a Rugby fix and just get in the car and head to Harrow Road Cafe for a big bowl of bread pudding and coffee. You remember the garden fence I posted here earlier this year? We stood out in the blowing snow during one of those Rugby trips to photograph and take measurements from the fence surrounding Kingston Lyle (if I am saying that correctly) at Rugby. The fence I built here in Norris is a duplicate of that.

So, how do you know of Rugby?!

Allen

[Rory Bremner]

Hi Allen, I've had a strong interest in Thomas Hughes since I was a kid. I loved his novel,Tom Brown's Schooldays, being set at Rugby in the UK and of course being an avid fan of rugby, the game. Reading about Hughes some years back, I was fascinated to learn of his ambitious settlement in your state. Remarkable fellow and thinker. :) You're indeed lucky to have such a place on your doorstep.

[allen820]

The Rugby website is <www.historicrugby.org>. Good stuff. I guess you know the town was established for English "second sons" who were by tradition not heir to the family fortune at the time, and who came to America therefore to find their own fortunes. However, a fatal flaw in that endeavor were that these guys were pretty much used to a leisurely life, so hard work was not their tradition. Clue number one was that they formed their Rugby teams and laid out the field before they began to construct factories, farms, etc. Uh-oh. And then some expectations about the railroads did not come through, a really rough winter set in, a typhoid epidemic took its toll, the center point of town -- the Tavard Inn -- burned, and it was at that point pretty much over. But, I agree with you, it was a really facinating concept.

Allen

[ChapterTwo]

This is really fascinating! I had never heard of Rugby, Tennessee. Thanks to the two of you for letting us eavesdrop on the conversation!

[Rory Bremner]

Having no tavern would be the final straw and is bound to take it's toll. Prioritising the rugby field does display some merit and character in my opinion :D!
It's an interesting story, I think your estimation is spot on Allen. Diversity, unbound and self aspiring hard work is what made what made the USA great. In these situations the model may have been ideal, but it's ambitions were expectationary, too many folk with similar background, origin and wrong synergistic relationships.

[shabbychick]

If it's any comfort, we had the same trouble with towns founded by people who weren't trained for or used to the rigors of town-founding ever since 1607 when the "gentlemen" stepped off the boat in Jamestown, Virginia and discovered that the work doesn't actually do itself. It's hard work being a pioneer.

[Rory Bremner]

You're so right Shabby. It was the same out here too. When my G-Grandfather arrived in 1868 from Scotland (he farmed) it was hard work that was waiting for him. If you didn't, you didn't survive, simple as that.

[Gigi]

Roy- That's really really cool- On my previous home I had a door bell- round- twist- very vintage that I purchased from Renovations Supply. I loved that piece.

Thank you for sharing!

[joemusumeci]

Wow, looks really great. Nice job!