by Architectural Observer | Jul 26, 2020 | Blog, Projects
This weekend was one of discovery. A peek beneath the vinyl siding — and some selective sanding — brought to light the various layers of exterior siding paint choices… including the heretofore elusive original color. The most dramatic finds were made...
by Architectural Observer | Jul 19, 2020 | Blog, Projects
Little has happened at the Keys house in recent months, but that is beginning to change. We’re finally able to devote some more time to the project and will continue pecking away it it in small increments. We’ve also found some things for the house which...
by Architectural Observer | May 16, 2020 | Blog, Observations
In an effort to popularize and promote the use of concrete in residential construction, a now-obscure booklet was published by the Portland Cement Association’s Des Moines, Iowa, chapter sometime around 1940. Simply titled Iowa Concrete Houses, this little gem...
by Architectural Observer | Apr 26, 2020 | Blog, Observations
Spring has officially sprung here, and I’ve been itching to get out and about. Usually by this time of year I’ve already posted about an annual auction we attend. This year, however, (as you can surely guess) it was held online. I didn’t even bother...
by Architectural Observer | Apr 12, 2020 | Blog, Drag Queen Architecture
While many of us tend to idealize the past (rightly, in many ways), the past certainly had its share of imperfections. People have been altering and remodeling old houses ever since houses were first built. Today we’ll go back in time 93 years and take a look at...
by Architectural Observer | Feb 24, 2020 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses
Appearing in the 1886 edition of Shoppell’s Modern Houses, Design No. 580 is a massive house with a central stair hall and wide, asymmetrical, façade. While many of the plans offered by Robert W. Shoppell’s Co-Operative Building Plan Association of New...
