Through wonder that is my Seattle Public Library card, I have online access to some of the Sanburn maps. As the date on the tax records is the default, "Err, old?" one of 1900, but the house is said to be older than that, I held out hope that the 1894 one might hold a clue.
Sadly, it did not, as only the edges of Ballard around Salmon Bay were even on the map.
It was on the 1904/05 map, however.
It just took me a while to find it.
See, when my house was built, Ballard was not yet part of Seattle. No, Ballard was a feisty little city all of its own, with its own leadership, its own character, and its own freaking street names.
Most of which were completely and totally different than the ones we have today.
Eventually, I found the map with the Seattle/Ballard border, and was able to figure out that, once upon a time, the street where I live was called Polk Street, and my house was [Number Redacted]. With any luck, armed with this information (which would look quite grand on a plaque, if I do say so myself), I'll be able to dig up more dirt about my home's sure-to-be glorious past.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Where I'm a potty mouth.
When we moved in, we soon discovered two things: one, that the toilet in the bathroom was 51 years old; and two, despite it being a water hog from hell, the thing couldn't flush for crap.
Ahem.
So, as we are Not Broke Yet (the time of Extreme Budgeting technically starting in May), we weighed our options, looked at toilet reviews, looked longingly at the beautiful, antique-style ones like we have back in Beacon, and bought Ballard an American Standard Cadet 3.
It's so dainty and wee! And functional! And *cheap* compared to our other options!
It's also quiet. The old toilet rumbled and roared, all sound and fury and all that jazz.
My eventual wishlist for this place includes a fabulously stylish and ornate toilet, the one that will go perfectly with the clawfoot slipper tub I'm SURE we'll have, but this one will certainly do for now.
Ahem.
So, as we are Not Broke Yet (the time of Extreme Budgeting technically starting in May), we weighed our options, looked at toilet reviews, looked longingly at the beautiful, antique-style ones like we have back in Beacon, and bought Ballard an American Standard Cadet 3.
It's so dainty and wee! And functional! And *cheap* compared to our other options!
It's also quiet. The old toilet rumbled and roared, all sound and fury and all that jazz.
My eventual wishlist for this place includes a fabulously stylish and ornate toilet, the one that will go perfectly with the clawfoot slipper tub I'm SURE we'll have, but this one will certainly do for now.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Painting: not for the faint of heart.
We closed a week ago Friday, and are still 75% in the old place, due to everything taking longer than we were anticipating.
Of course, we haven't done a huge painting pass in this, the old place, in about 5-6 years, and the last room we painted was only 10' x 10'.
Lessons learned: painted beadboard wainscoting takes a very long time to repaint, especially when you're using a dark color. Oh, and if you're using a dark color, it's a waste of time and effort and tape to tape around the wainscoting and trim before painting. (Note to self: find small paintbrush to touch up the edges of the wall color.) Floor paint takes a really, really long time to cure. Plan on wearing socks for a few days. You WILL underestimate both the time and amount of paint required. Plan on multiple trips. Also, triage the rooms. The kitchen will be fine until you have time to deal with it.
These past owners are vastly superior to the ones for the old house. Any trim pieces removed were stored in the detached garage, and any updates at least attempted to be true to the age of the house.
Speaking of the age of the house, my biggest to do item is to figure that part out. Older, probably, than the tax records state. I think I've tracked down the original address (the house was already a few years old when Ballard was annexed by Seattle and the street names changed). Now I just have to get some library time.
Of course, we haven't done a huge painting pass in this, the old place, in about 5-6 years, and the last room we painted was only 10' x 10'.
Lessons learned: painted beadboard wainscoting takes a very long time to repaint, especially when you're using a dark color. Oh, and if you're using a dark color, it's a waste of time and effort and tape to tape around the wainscoting and trim before painting. (Note to self: find small paintbrush to touch up the edges of the wall color.) Floor paint takes a really, really long time to cure. Plan on wearing socks for a few days. You WILL underestimate both the time and amount of paint required. Plan on multiple trips. Also, triage the rooms. The kitchen will be fine until you have time to deal with it.
These past owners are vastly superior to the ones for the old house. Any trim pieces removed were stored in the detached garage, and any updates at least attempted to be true to the age of the house.
Speaking of the age of the house, my biggest to do item is to figure that part out. Older, probably, than the tax records state. I think I've tracked down the original address (the house was already a few years old when Ballard was annexed by Seattle and the street names changed). Now I just have to get some library time.
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