Historic Design Consulting LLC

10/29/2026

I will be teaching a class on traditional woodworking with hand tools once again in February 2027 at the Belvedere School for Hands On Preservation in Hannibal, MO. The class will show you how to use 19th century wood working tools and do basic joinery. Click the link to learn more and register. The class is limited to 8 students, so be sure to reserve your space.

https://bobyapp.com/product/woodworking-101-with-traditional-hand-tools/?fbclid=IwVERFWAVPbJ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWURLGtpgYXTCkImHTgDDhz9PNr77VhHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR9k2fX1iptGdKJRGLud7FmPB_hcLuIHEz7U-n7JWPqOiwVAv3K-aRN98PczQA_aem__8bZFOTDyaS2_tvFGr3zfg

Home / Class / Woodworking 101 with Traditional Hand Tools Woodworking 101 with Traditional Hand Tools$695.00 “Woodworking 101 with Traditional Hand Tools” is a new class offering a fun and interesting, three-day, hands-on learning experience in the Belvedere School’s woodworking studio. T...

10/24/2026

I’m picking historic paint colors. 🫟 I have a library of swatches from period paint advertising that I use to select appropriate paint colors for projects. Sometimes I do a microscopic analysis of paint layers, and other times I simply match the original paint colors to my swatches and then find an equivalent on a modern fandeck. I need a cream/yellow from around 1930 and the 571 Cream from a 1920s Fuller Painter’s is almost a perfect match. Sherwin Williams Solé 6896 looks to be a modern equivalent.

10/19/2026

I drove by this home is Le Sueur, MN this afternoon and it caught my eye. The real estate records claim it was built in 1890, but I’m not so sure. Le Sueur was settled beginning in the early 1850s, so it has a long history. Does 1890 look correct to you???

10/17/2026

Anyone want or need a caboose stove??? Going through the remainder of dad’s collection and we have a few things we don’t know what to do with. It isn’t railroad marked (as far as I can see) but is in great condition and is likely usable. If anyone is interested let me know. It’s located in northwest Iowa and can be disassembled.

10/17/2026

Beautiful terra cotta façade on the 1921 Medlar Studio in downtown Spencer, IA. The storefront was built for photographer F.W. Medlar, who had designed the building with the assistance of architect W.C Barton. Barton, who designed a number of commercial buildings in northwest Iowa.

10/15/2026

Thomas and I finished installing window sashes from phase one and are starting phase two by pulling sashes from six more openings. Unfortunately, these are proving to be difficult to remove. The uppers have been caulked in place from the exterior so are really stuck in place. Very often you can just pry out all the parting bead and yoink them out. However, this isn’t an option due to the wide, arched stop so it’s a bunch of prying, wiggling and tugging. However, I managed to get them out and the sashes are now in the shop and ready for a makeover. 👍

10/13/2026

It was a good thing my back was bothering me today, because I had two dogs to pet and little time to install sashes.

10/02/2026

This week’s architectural term is SPALLING. Rather than an architectural feature I thought I would focus on a type of damage or decay. Spalling is the flaking, peeling or delamination of the surface from masonry. Although there are many causes for spalling, the most common is water infiltration. When water saturates brick, stone or concrete and freezes, the pressure from the expanding ice can cause surfaces to pop or slough off. A similar thing can happen from salt in solution when it crystallizes.