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 weekly, hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter share personal project updates, listener Q&A, and interviews with engaging old house owners, restoration professionals, and craftspeople.
In this week's episode, the season finale of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy welcomes Robert Khederian, a realtor, writer, and commentator on pre-war architecture, design, and old-house culture. Robert is known for his thoughtful observations about historic homes and the people who love them, making him the perfect guest to help close out the season. We discuss changing attitudes toward historic homes, what buyers are looking for today, timeless design, and how social media has influenced the way we think about owning old houses. Also in this episode, listener Peter Martin shares how he got the doors in his old house to latch properly. What sounds like a simple project turned out to be a series of different problems, each requiring its own solution. It's a practical conversation for anyone living with doors that stick, swing, sag, or simply refuse to cooperate. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Bending Hinges - I'll put some links on Substack this week. I'm still looking for the most useful ones. Find Robert Khederian on Substack , Instagram , TikTok , and YouTube Buy Tala lightbulbs Buy GE Relax lightbulbs (affiliate link) WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy talks with Ariana Makau, principal conservator and founder of Nzilani Glass Conservation, about her decision to purchase a long-neglected industrial building in Oakland, California. After hearing from so many listeners interested in historic commercial buildings, Stacy invited Ariana to share her experience taking on an old industrial property and turning it into a space that works for both her business and her broader mission. Ariana explains what drew her to the building, how she determined whether the project was realistic, and the vision she has for the property's future as a home for Nzilani Glass and her non-profit, The Fillet Foundation. Stacy and Ariana discuss adaptive reuse, balancing passion with practicality, and the importance of planning before taking on a major rehabilitation project. The conversation also explores the often-overlooked people behind preservation work. Ariana explains why she wants to recognize every craftsperson, contractor, and tradesperson who contributes to the building's transformation, and why their work deserves to be celebrated alongside the finished project. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Nzilani Glass Conservation (website) The Fillet Foundation (website) Red Wing Wall of Honor (website) @Nzilani_Glass (Instagram) @the_fillet_foundation (Instagram) @aubadeproperty (Instagram) Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books). Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this episode, Stacy explores both sides of old house life: making the most of the house you have and taking a leap toward the house you want. First, returning guest Rod Whale checks back in from the 200-year-old Bailey House Inn in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Rod recently wrote in with several excellent passive cooling ideas in response to the Good, Better, Best segment about hot rooms, so Stacy invited him back to continue the conversation. Then, Bari Ackerman joins Stacy to share her story of making a major life change to pursue an old house dream. After years of imagining a different kind of life, Bari and her husband decided to go for it, a little later in life than many people might expect. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Episode 162: From Spreadsheets to Bed Sheets - An Innkeeper's Tale Episode 185: Hot Rooms & Higher Standards Product and video links for the perforated radiant barrier will be on Substack this week. Bailey House Inn (website) Follow Bari on Instagram @barij and @oursecondacthome Subscribe to Bari's Substack WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this Memorial Day episode, Stacy wraps up Preservation Month with listener follow-ups, one final round of State of Restoration conversations from Pine Mountain, and a practical look into the complicated realities behind rehabbing historic commercial buildings. After touring a long-empty downtown building, Stacy started asking a much bigger question: What does it realistically take to save a building like that and turn it into a financially viable project? The answer involves far more than passion and vision. From tax credits and tenants to deferred maintenance and demolition by neglect, this episode explores why bringing historic buildings back to life can be so difficult, even when people care deeply about saving them. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Enter to win A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester Catalog Archive from Ken at OldHouseGuy.com Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books). Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this episode, Preservation Month continues with another State of Restoration check-in, but this time, Stacy starts connecting some dots. After hearing more listener voicemails and Pine Mountain conversations, Stacy explores an idea she keeps coming back to: money, motive, and means. Could missing one of those help explain why some preservation communities seem to thrive while others struggle? Then, Stacy is joined by Carissa and Larry for a refreshingly honest conversation about old house life, DIY projects, and relationships. They talk about sharing a historic home when one person is a little (a lot!) more enthusiastic about it than the other, the realities of living through projects together, and why old house partnerships rarely look as polished online as they do in real life. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Enter to win A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester Follow Carissa and Larry on Instagram , Facebook , and TikTok WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this episode, Preservation Month continues with another State of Restoration check-in and a look at one of the most overlooked forms of historic preservation: historic cemetery and headstone care. First, Stacy checks back in with the State of Restoration project, where one theme starting to emerge is that preservation often follows money. Then, she is joined by Justin Frost from Past Preservation to talk about historic cemetery preservation, headstone cleaning, and headstone repair. They discuss proper gravestone cleaning methods, common preservation mistakes, and the difference between helping and accidentally causing damage. Justin also shares what inspired him to begin this work and what continues to motivate him today. With Memorial Day approaching, this episode is especially helpful for anyone planning to visit family gravesites, volunteer in a historic cemetery, or learn more about proper cemetery preservation and respectful headstone care. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Enter to win A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester Follow Justin/Past Preservation LLC on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books). Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this week's episode, Stacy kicks off Historic Preservation Month by revisiting the State of Restoration voicemail project, sharing updates from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Then, she chats with Emma Shay about her 1924 Craftsman bungalow. They get into how Emma's first house, what she calls an "old house on easy mode," sparked a love and respect for old houses. That experience now shapes the thoughtful decisions she's making to preserve charm and character without overcomplicating the process. Before wrapping up, Stacy shares listener feedback on last week's Good, Better, Best segment on hot rooms and ties up a few loose ends with a couple of follow-up thoughts and practical takeaways. Mentioned in this Episode Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Friends of Suomi Hall - Astoria, Oregon Follow Lauri @forsstromhouse on Instagram Follow Emma Shay on Instagram , Facebook , and TikTok Enter to win Skiing Sun Valley: A History from Union Pacific to the Holdings by John Lundin WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this week's episode, Stacy shares a few updates from Blake Hill House and finally settles the Minisode name question. Then, she works through a listener question using the Good, Better, Best format, tackling a common old house challenge: rooms that get too hot in the summer. From simple adjustments to more involved solutions, she breaks down practical ways to improve comfort without losing sight of how old houses are meant to function. At the end of the episode, Stacy reflects on a video that's been circulating online and why it didn't sit quite right. It's a conversation about the responsibility that comes with sharing "expert" advice, especially when character-defining features are involved. We all have a role to play—expecting better information and holding companies accountable, even when they carry a legacy that makes them feel untouchable. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Enter to win Skiing Sun Valley: A History from Union Pacific to the Holdings by John Lundin The Case for Historic Windows (book) Velvet Thermal Blackout Curtains (affiliate) Cellular Shade (Cut-to-width available in store) Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books). Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
This week's field trip episode started with a question Stacy couldn't shake: Why is there a beautiful historic hotel in the middle of nowhere, Idaho? The Sun Valley Lodge isn't just any hotel. It's a grand, carefully designed resort surrounded by mountains and ranchland. When Stacy realized Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the architect behind many of the lodges in the National Parks, was involved, it explained the design—but not the decision to build it there. So Stacy sat down in person with historian John Lundin to learn how Sun Valley came to be. He shares how Union Pacific Railroad, led by Averell Harriman, built an ambitious destination from scratch during the Great Depression. It was a bold, "if you build it, they will come" kind of idea. From opulent hotspot to wartime reinvention to decline, and back again, the history makes one thing clear: building Sun Valley was only the beginning. Mentioned in this Episode Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Visit Sun Valley Lodge Enter to win John Lundin's book (Rafflecopter has shut down! I'll put instructions for how to enter to win on Substack.) WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this week's episode, Stacy shares a mid-season update, tying up a few loose ends, and sharing what's coming up at Blake Hill House, including this summer's window restoration workshops. She also walks through her outdoor spring to-do list, highlighting the seasonal tasks that come with caring for an old house this time of year. Then, Stacy introduces a new Q&A format, Good, Better, Best , and uses it to work through common old-house challenges. From musty odors and dampness to uneven floors, she breaks down practical options and explains how to approach each one. The episode ends with a few thoughts about renaming the Minisode. Mentioned in this Episode: Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House The Sprung Dance Floor (book) by Steve Jordan Rubio Monocoat soap (one bottle lasts forever) Dr. Bronner's pure castile soap Krud Kutter cleaner/degreaser Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books).
In this episode, Stacy explores the deal-breakers that shape how people approach buying an old house and how those decisions shift depending on life stage. She also chats with Michelle Bowers of Old House Life, who has watched that play out in real time. In preparation for this episode, Stacy asked her Instagram and Facebook audience to share their own deal-breakers. The responses covered everything from structural concerns and layout challenges to location, cost, and long-term livability. She shares their responses and explores what stops people in their tracks. Then, Stacy welcomes Michelle Bowers of Old House Life , who has a front row seat to old house listings across the country. What began as a hobby has grown into a massive Facebook following and something more personal. Michelle found herself unable to pass on certain properties, sometimes at remarkably low prices, gradually building a collection of historic homes of her own. Her perspective offers a unique look at how deal-breakers play out in real time, both for the people browsing listings and as someone who has stepped in and said yes more than once. Mentioned in this Episode Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Follow Old House life on Facebook Follow Ramsey Restoration, Inc on Facebook Old House Life website Alfred Altman Cottage - Video Tour WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this minisode, Stacy and guest co-host Steve Jordan follow a road-trip-inspired rabbit hole that starts with the Grange and leads to dancing—and the ingenious floors, dating back to the 18th century, that made it possible. They talk about how rural communities actually spent time together, Grange halls, gatherings, and yes, dancing, which leads straight into Steve's niche obsession: sprung dance floors. Steve literally wrote the book on them, and they were once fairly commonplace in grand ballrooms, taverns, dance halls, and other community spaces. Long before modern metalworking and the kind of springs we think of today, builders came up with surprisingly clever ways to give a floor enough flex to carry a full night of dancing. Then, Stacy and Steve spend a few minutes chatting about the State of Restoration project. Steve has more than 30 years in historic preservation, and he shares what he's seeing, especially in Rochester, New York. The interest in saving old buildings is strong, but the number of skilled tradespeople who can actually do the work is another story. Steve is one of those people who has a deep well of knowledge and isn't afraid to use it. Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books).
In this episode, Stacy looks at why some of the most iconic Gilded Age mansions in Newport were nearly lost, and how that story connects to what's happening right now with lead safety laws and historic windows in Rhode Island. If you think that is just a local issue, think again. Stacy takes listeners to Newport, Rhode Island, where some of the most over-the-top Gilded Age mansions in the country were almost lost when the world around them changed. For a time, there was no clear path forward, and the way people responded made a different outcome possible. That story sets the stage for what's happening today. Stacy welcomes Rob Cagnetta of Heritage Restoration and Sutherland Welles. They dig into what's happening right now with lead safety laws in Rhode Island, including what's changed, why there was so much confusion, and what it actually means for anyone who owns or manages a building with historic windows. From there, they get into the real challenges these regulations created and what it took to move forward. Rob shares how he got involved with the City of Newport and the Newport Restoration Foundation to solve the problem of getting historic windows to pass lead-safety inspections, despite little to no support from state inspectors or the health department. In the process, what started as a window issue revealed lesser-known sources of lead contamination throughout the home and challenged the assumption that the problem starts and ends inside the house. If this sounds like a Rhode Island issue, it's not. What's happening there could become a model for how other states create and enforce lead safety laws. Lead-safe Historic Window Resources (download) Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order. Intro and Outro music by AudionautiX
In this episode, Stacy brings in Scott Sidler as a guest co-host for some old house shop talk. They discuss the realities of preservation funding and infrared paint removers. Stacy begins with updates from the new State of Restoration project, sharing observations from Toledo and New Orleans, while Scott reports on what he's seeing in Florida. The outlook for preservation funding is bleak, with zero state funding currently allocated for historic preservation projects. From there, the conversation turns to tools. Stacy and Scott break down how infrared paint removers work and walk through the pros and cons of different options to help homeowners choose the right one for their projects. Finally, they wrap up by brainstorming new names for the minisodes, and Scott comes up with a couple that might actually stick. Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books).
Wait...that's historic? Stacy digs into the 50-year rule, talks mid-century restoration with Sarah from 1957 House Down South, and visits the Kohler museum to see those famous vintage bathroom colors in person. Wait. That's historic? At some point, the math catches up with us. In this episode, Stacy takes a look at the preservation benchmark often called the 50-year rule and what happens when houses and buildings many of us still think of as "modern" cross the threshold used to evaluate historic significance. Then, Sarah joins the show to talk about her mid-century modern home, which she calls 1957 House Down South. She shares how she found the house, its architectural history, and her meticulous process of restoring all the original features. Mid-century modern homes can be a tough sell. Some people think they're too modern to be historic, while others see them as hopelessly dated, but Sarah's love for MCM may shift that perspective. Finally, Stacy talks about her visit to the Kohler campus to explore the company's design museum and see some of Kohler's vintage bathroom fixtures in person, including the bold colors that once defined American bathrooms. If old house lovers have anything to say about it, those colors aren't going anywhere. Join Stacy on Substack . WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order.
Winter hits the roof again, and there's still no magic fix. In this episode, Stacy unpacks ice dams, insulation trade-offs, a significant DIY mistake, and what this season clarified about planning for the long term. Plus: a State of Restoration update and the ongoing minisode renaming discussion. In Episode 177, Stacy takes a practical look at ice dams, attic insulation, snow load risk, roof ventilation in old houses, and the real-world trade-offs of improving energy efficiency without creating new problems. After losing brand-new gutters and heat cables to ice dams, the conversation shifts from reaction to long-term planning. What failed? What worked? Should attic insulation be the next step? How do snow load and flat roof sections complicate that decision? And what's the right way to reinforce gutters so they can handle freeze-thaw cycles and expanding ice? This episode walks through what causes ice dams, the limits of roof raking and heat cables, and why adding insulation and ventilation to a 140-year-old house isn't simple at all. Also in this episode: • A State of Restoration update from the historic preservation community • Two listener snapshots from the same city, and why preservation can look different even within one place • How to participate in the one-minute preservation pulse check • And the ongoing minisode renaming discussion If you own an old house in a cold climate and have ever dealt with ice dams, attic insulation, or gutters, this one's for you. Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books).
Just after Stacy announces she is keeping Blake Hill House, winter responds in a very expensive way. She shares the latest twist in her restoration journey before welcoming Jessica Rhodes to discuss restoring an Italianate home in the public eye. They also talk about making decisions that serve real life, not just an audience. The episode concludes with the launch of a new listener feature exploring the state of preservation across the country. First, Stacy reflects on the reality that Mother Nature always wins and old houses respond on their own terms. A recent challenge at Blake Hill House opens the episode. Then, Jessica Rhodes joins Stacy to talk about restoring Danascara Place, her historic Italianate home in upstate New York. She shares the realities of renovating in public, how online attention shapes decision-making, the financial tightrope of owning an old house, and why community support matters more than we think. Finally, Stacy reports on the magical week in Pine Mountain, Kentucky, that sparked a new podcast feature built around your voices. She asked one simple question: What is the state of restoration where you live? You'll hear a couple of the one-minute recordings collected so far. It is the beginning of a snapshot of preservation across the country. Join Stacy on Substack . WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. (Featured on ep. 164) Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order.
For years, you've followed Blake Hill House. In this episode, Stacy shares what's really been happening behind the scenes and how 2025 changed everything. It was a year of pressure, progress, second-guessing, and more than a few moments that nearly broke her. If you've been waiting for an update on Blake Hill House, this is the one . Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. The Old House Shop – The Old House Shop is the store for people who accidentally turn every conversation into a discussion about windows, plaster, or old-growth lumber. Find preservation-minded t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, mugs, and gifts that celebrate process over perfection. Use code OLDHOUSELIFE for 10% off your order (excluding books).
In Daniel's final episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel wrap up past conversations, discuss how years of ghost stories have changed them, and share three new paranormal stories from historic homes. Episode 174 marks the end of a chapter for True Tales From Old Houses as co-host Daniel Kanter records his final episode. Stacy and Daniel wrap up loose ends from earlier conversations and reflect on how years of ghost stories have changed the way two self-described agnostics handle the unexplained...just in case. The episode also features three true ghost stories from historic homes across the U.S. Troy Thomas shares life in his 1897 Pennsylvania house, including a mysterious discovery that ties past and present together. Robert Killion returns to share experiences that challenged his lifelong skepticism, culminating in a deeply personal story of love, loss, and signs he believes came from his late wife. Finally, Tracey Coltrane reflects on restoring a haunted 1900 home and learning how coexistence, curiosity, and respect shaped a new kind of harmony. WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity . Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order.
After an extended hiatus, Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter return to True Tales From Old Houses to kick off Season 13 with personal updates, a major announcement from Daniel, and two ghost stories to celebrate a belated version of spooky season. WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To save 10% on your first order, use the coupon code TRUETALES26. Brouns & Co. Linseed Oil Paint - Flax plant-derived linseed oil paint and stain. Anti-mold with only trace elements of VOCs. Wicks moisture from wood. Prevents metal from rusting. Brouns & Co. is trusted by preservation professionals and homeowners who value authenticity. Heritage Supply Co. - Heritage Supply Co. (formerly The Craftsman Store) is the same trusted company you know for window restoration supplies and more. Use code TRUETALES10 for 10% off your entire order. Spend $250 or more, and shipping is free. Repaint Studios - The Repaint Tray from Repaint Studios is the first reusable silicone paint tray liner and lid. The Repaint Tray's airtight lid keeps your paint fresh for weeks. Use the coupon code TRUETALES10 to save 10% off your order.
