Is This Heaven? No, It's Iowa! S1 Ep1

Greetings from Fairfield and welcome to our first episode!
We bought a cheap old house on the internet and have been in our 1896 Victorian Queen Anne for a couple of years now.
But we were not really sure where to start with our channel and videos.
So here is a little introduction of how we found the house,
a quick little walk through and a handful of projects on our plate.
On a side note we've done alot of house history research here and have lots to share with you in future episodes. There's one reference in this video to a wallpaper project I did and show a photo of Magician Doug Henning for fun.
But Its also rumored he tried to buy this house in the 1980s when he lived here in Fairfield, Iowa.

[@JamesABeckHouse]

Finally finished our walk through tour video Part one kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl7PpWuCl5qBbKMsi=Re5ItEA6Ee5Y2pot

[@jilljohnston9627]

The detail is amazing! I got to take piano lessons here as a child with Mrs. Sloca. This house is Fairfield famous and I love seeing it being cared for even though there are endless projects. Thank You for sharing.

[@DianaJewell-jf9ep]

It appears , heaven is in Iowa ! ❤

[@Bootbitch]

@@DianaJewell-jf9epwho knew? 😅

[@felicialong6546]

No matter how many projects you have, this house is a treasure!!!!!! Absolutely Gorgeous!

[@janewasson4845]

Incredible house!!! Here in NE IA in a 1898 Victorian, love them, too. So glad some idiot didn't paint the eoodwork.

[@donnakihl5886]

I forgot to breathe as I watched this. All I can say is....WOW!

[@citygirlingraham]

Appreciation and restoration of these beautiful Victorians is so wonderful. Thank you for the tour, this home is STUNNING.

[@margritpiepes8242]

I can imagine having afternoon tea with cake on the porch 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hizacaine]

It's awesome to see that you two are taking on the responsibility for the care of this incredible mansion. You've got your work cut out, it's going to be a full time job for the rest of your lives. Please start recognizing the importance of workplace safety, especially lead paint hazards, because if you get sick you won't be able to take care of the house. There is nothing cheap about your masterpiece, not when it was built, and not now while you're maintaining it.

[@lindabuck2777]

Amen to truth! Used to work for an Historical Preservationist Remodeler Dangerous Material Removal! Whew I answered the phone that way before saying how May we be of service lol! This home is a LOT of work and WORTH it wow it’s spectacular!🙏🏻❤️

[@beccimathews2677]

The house is in pristine condition. What ever you paid, this is a steal!

[@stephencraig7130]

I'd never leave... Ever!! 😊

[@marvinhaines9297]

This is clearly a George F. Barber design. I love the original detail - please, oh please don't paint any of the woodwork!!

[@JamesABeckHouse]

Yes it's a Barber design no. 27 we did a short video a few uploads back on him

[@Andi-h4l]

Silly man

[@kerridavis2630]

STUNNING 😍 the secret library OMG ❤️

[@MarkMaciag-dz9gb]

7 minutes in and I’ve yet to see a single pic of any room as a whole. The close-up pics show the incredible workmanship and details but I’d like a sense of the rooms as a whole and where it all fits in. That truly is a magnificent, well preserved Victorian home. There can be no doubt that master craftsmen built that home. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone, anywhere with those skills nowadays. Good on you for taking on that huge labor of love.

[@RowenMyBoat]

Exactly. I just wasted 8 minutes I can’t get back.

[@denisebailey512]

⁠@@RowenMyBoat seriously? If so bad what did you watch 8 minutes?

[@RowenMyBoat]

@@denisebailey512obviously because i didn’t read the posters comment above to understand what this 8 min intro was supposed to be about. Honestly, I probably wasted 5 mins because I was skipping through it trying to come to some substance or seeing the house better.

[@JamesABeckHouse]

@MarkMaciag-dz9gb still finding our footing with videos here and are working on putting together a walk thru video. Stay tooned...

[@robinbirdj743]

@@JamesABeckHouse I loved the video and subscribed. The music was nice tok❤ Going to recommend this video to Laine and Kevin (Our Restoration Nation). Keep going! Keep loving the old houses!

[@billt4speed]

I've lived in a Victorian for 40 years. I love the charm and style. Queen Anne built in 1904. Hope you love your house as much as we love ours!

[@Sup1719]

You had me at ‘secret library’. Oh my.

[@jobartruff9134]

Such craftmanship! Thank you for restoring this magnificent house!

[@LindaDJones-n8c]

Wow!! What a house. It is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. I could definitely live here.😊🎉❤

[@libbyjensen1858]

Oh my! This video brought back so many happy memories of being at my Aunt Agnes' house in Blooming Prairie, MN! It's an old farmhouse built in the later half of the 1800s and had some of the same features! Just a gorgeous house and so is yours!

[@elizabethmoini2902]

Stunningly beautiful house!.....i'm in L💖VE!!🤗🤗🤗

[@kevinpatrick5162]

This house was so lucky you found it.

[@rascalgirl84]

What an incredibly beautiful house! Love it ❤

[@PablaMMoore]

You bought a historical treasure! What a stunning architecture. ❤

[@chriswilliamson83]

I AM GREEN WITH ENVY !!!!! And lm not a jealous person, but hell your home is so beautiful, and like you guys, l would enjoy every moment l lived there. Your attention and diligence in repurposing, refurbishing and replacing every little detail just melts my heart, l am now hooked on your ongoing story after just watching a couple of your vids. Thankyou for sharing your journey with me and everyone else who appreciates your admirable efforts xxxxxxxxx from OZ !!

[@joycedudzinski9415]

I love old houses and yours is a beauty. Thank you for saving this gem. Many being destroyed due to new builds. Looking forward in your restoration mission.

[@marciareagan2718]

Love! The ghostbusters clip-exactly!

[@lulumoon6942]

ART THROUGH AND THROUGH! 😍

[@lisalackas4036]

This house is amazing! I mean once you get done restoring this old girl.... she's beautiful now, can't wait to see the projects after they're done!

[@sweetlikehoney5216]

Now this is my type of channel! Historic homes, 80’s movie references, and diy projects. 😂

[@dianejohnson9204]

What a beautiful mansion, so perfectly detailed! Lots of work l am sure, but so worth it!

[@jessicameggs9308]

How amazing that the woodwork, fireplace tiles & mantels are all intact! Also so many of these grand old houses have been divided up into apartments over the years. It's a real treasure!

[@laniwines6401]

Looks Like Heaven to me!! AMAZING ♥️♥️♥️

[@pmlm1571]

Maybe any modern paint will lead to trapping moisture inside those wooden front pillars? Old-fashioned Lime-based paint which needs renewing every 2-3 years is a way to protect but not trap moisture, just a thought. Gel Super Glue can "fix" as in solidify wood--I get that from a wood-turning channel where he uses the gel to fill cracks and the thin glue to wick through and permeate soft wood, "fixing" it. Might come in handy for you. Cheers!

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

The surviving carriage house is stunning in its own right!

[@billrbca]

great insert from Ghostbusters

[@tracisawyer7681]

❤. I lived in Waterloo Iowa in a sears and roebuck home built 1903. Beauty craftsmanship in all these home and a testament to craftsmanship as 100+ years they are still standing as regal as ever

[@jomarielopez2229]

Wow! Truly beautiful......inside and out! ❤ The secret library and fixtures!

[@aaronobryan4295]

I love every space…what a gift to have to style lasting and being appreciated and preserved

[@El-px6wl]

It is beautiful, congratulations on your new home 🎉

[@kerrinmenard2368]

For this house I would move to Antarctica

[@nonyabisness-cg7mf]

As beautiful, cool, fun and weird as Portland is, their lives are going to improve just by moving lol.

[@marlene7969]

I love the piano music in the background. And the house is absolutely stunning!

[@AlyCatNat]

What a stunning house and so many original details! I can't wait to see more.

[@lorietipton1717]

I work down the street from here. Always wanted to see inside this house. Thank you for this tour. It's a beauty inside and out. Yes, these victorians are always never-ending projects but well worth it. Enjoy your new home and town.

[@leeproulx7412]

Your home is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t imagine the patience and dedication it takes to work on such a lovely structure, but it certainly looks worth it.

[@lesadelisi9385]

I can’t even imagine the amount of craftsmanship in this house and what it would cost to build today. You couldn’t even get aloof this old growth wood anymore. Thank you for preserving this!

[@shawngregg3796]

Taking the vunacular from the silly Alphabet Mofia, forgive me. But from a young child I would call myself a "Trans-Victorian." All my life I felt I was born in the wrong time. Realizing I'll never have the honor or privilege of owning one of these beauties. I resigned myself to collecting anything and everything Victorian from the age of 12. Wherever I lived I'd decorate the inside to look as Victorian as possible. Refer to the practice as "Derenovation." When I retired I moved overseas and brought the habit with me, live a quiet life among all my Victorian treasures and could not be happier. Thanks for caring for these beautiful pieces of art. Never live an ordinary life!

[@lindabuck2777]

Couldn’t you just DIE it’s so gorgeous 🌟🌟🌟! I’m 69, while in my late teens early 20’S I worked for an Historical Preservationist Remodeling and Removal of dangerous materials! Whew what a mouthful! Lead, and asbestos were nightmares! I was his ‘right hand’ which was laughable and meant answering phones with that whole name before I got to ask how May we be of service! Ran errands to historical antique wholesalers to replace cornices, light fixtures, and loved those omg I could stay all day in those! I helped with SOME of the lead removal those hazard suits were worse back when! I’m so happy you’ve collected Victorian items, and you’re right, it helps. I would turn this into an Inn! I don’t care much for B&B’S, bad experiences twice so no more. It’s more expensive I’d have to cook myself, and I’m NOT cleaning anything anywhere period it’s NOT a vacation! 40+years rest/hosp ind, gimme resorts 5 star or a cute full service Inn anyday. I was GOOD at customer service and retired as a bartender, even though everyone wanted me to go into mgmt umm nope! Hope all is well with you! Sorry for the long ness but I was ecstatic to find a fellow lover of Victorian. Ps, my favorite Victorian in Houston Texas was sold to tear down😱the horrors! It was almost twice the size of this one🤦‍♀️😭Blessings of Health, Love, and Peace of mind🙏🏻❤️

[@grand_vacation]

Self promotion whilst attacking others hmm interesting display of pride right there

[@deborahmcdonald4371]

Me also, obsessed with the era. Always have been. I swear I lived a past life at that time. 2nd grade I could draw perfect pictures of the homes and dresses, so bizarre.

[@dianeb5380]

Paint for wood used to be natural like milk based paint or lime based paint made with natural pigments. The kind that turns to a powdery dust over time. The type that allowed moisture to dry out. Modern acrylic and even oil based paint traps and holds moisture next to the wood and eventually causes rot. Wood needs to be able to breathe. Beautiful home in Fairfield. There are lots of wonderful old homes there. I like that little town. It's chock full of interesting, colorful, progressive people along with the run of the mill midwestern types.

[@nanasewdear]

Greetings from back in (Eastern) Oregon. I just subscribed. I too live in a Victorian house, though not near as fine as your own. It's like the original owners said, 'build us a Queen Anne, but don't make it too fancy'. We've been here 20 years and we love it. Enjoy your lovely "project"! You will never regret saving that fine piece of history.

[@loopymcgeee3939]

SWEET! Nobody painted the wood!! hooray!!

[@JDH560]

Those houses are beautiful treasures , the attention to detail in those days were incredible

[@moorelandhouse]

Thanks for the entertaining video. The fretwork is amazing. It makes us miss the Mooreland House and we will enjoy living vicariously through your projects for a while. =)

[@Aztec73]

I wish that I had those kind of projects on an old house, I love the fact that you are preserving history.,,,,,,,,,Very nice.❤

[@mbaron61]

Nice house. The player piano music in the background, however...

[@eldrinod]

Elephant in the room - how much did you get it for?

[@farginargle]

Wowsers! The place seems like it was hermetically sealed for the last 100 years!

[@lindacade3975]

What a beautiful home! I went to college in Oakaloosa and lived in the area for a decade. I maintain that Iowa has the best people but the weather, not so much. You are truly the best custodians of this gem of a house.

[@teresayeates3437]

What is the weather like there throughout the year?

[@KMC1719]

PROJECT! 🛎️My new favorite channel 🎉

[@melissacharltn]

This is absolutely incredible beautiful home all the woodworking in the trim. Amazing how lucky you are to have come across the home like this. It looks like it needs a lot of work, but it’s.

[@MikeGraves-g3u]

Latex paint "peels like a banana". These old houses are supposed to have Linseed Oil paint, which is not the same as the so called oil based paint.

[@siameseire]

Wood hardeners will work for some projects and save money and further damage.

[@susanschultz1762]

STUNNING HOUSE! Tell us about it. When was it built? What does the kitchen look like? Can you give us a tour?

[@JamesABeckHouse]

It was built in 1896 and will do tour video(s) soon. Including one for the kitchen

[@kileysecrest5803]

This is stunning. This home is a George Barber pattern book house. The plans were ordered from a catalog.

[@yolandagarza7897]

Wow, maybe not heaven, but very close to it❤ so beautiful you guys are so blessed ❤ thank you for sharing, 😊💫

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Beautiful home with gorgeous wood work but oh so many projects 😂.

[@Starfish2145]

Gorgeous!

[@dldove22]

I love those houses but they are work. My parents' Victorian house wasn't nearly so ornate but it was a lot of work.

[@curiosity2314]

Beautiful home but yeah you have a lifetime project.

[@MK-rt2gm]

So many of these homes get torn down or ulta-modernized. Without saving them we will never see such wonderful craftsmanship. they all need to be saved like the wonders of the world. Never to be built again.

[@teresabastien7703]

Yes I totally agree! The artisan & craftsmanship of these houses is part of our American history & should be preserved.

[@maggiesfarm7970]

In my dreams.....

[@ncnovembergrl2009]

Absolutely beautiful

[@michaelfoort2592]

Hope you know how to paint

[@robertunderwood3393]

You are some lucky people. I would have bought it too. Love it

[@janicehraga]

Omgoodness How wonderful Good for you

[@juliealtenburg9671]

I'm super jealous! Lucky you!

[@denisehall956]

Music is annoying

[@JamesABeckHouse]

We are still finding our footing thanks for the feedback.

[@bettybay2181]

@@JamesABeckHouse I liked the music, but it did go on a little long.

[@pmlm1571]

I liked the music (though found it a little loud)--until it began to loop endlessly. Hate that! Love your house and all the projects!

[@alliebeardontwalk8463]

Antiques are so much better in the Midwest!! 😂

[@audreetara]

I know the house- its beautiful and in Fairfield..home of TM...and know the feeling g , my husband did the same in MA - and we moved there!!!fixer upper

[@lulumoon6942]

And a Secret Library? SHUT. UP. 😍

[@Kitty_cat2001]

What a great way to make a video! Very interesting! Just subscribed Australia 🇦🇺

[@lynnmk2384]

Big beautiful house loveeeeeeee all the wood/stained glass/light fixtures /fireplaces everything is beautiful/u guys r Sooooooo lucky enjoy yr new home just beautiful

[@jen.beezle]

This house is in amazing shape. We bought an 1870’s Italianite Victorian that needed a total reno. Doesn’t look like much (if anything) is needed in this gem! 😊 enjoy!

[@WadeMcLure]

Sitting here watching this with my mom and I said "that's a George Barber house..." Then pulled out one of my books to show her and was like "WOW, here is a picture of THAT exact house in my book!" LOL (The original photo in my book looks exactly the same as the house does today... Amazingly rare to find that)

[@JamesABeckHouse]

@WadeMcLure thanks for watching. We should have our full tour walkthru video ready Saturday.

[@DebraStoute-y7n]

Love the wood everywhere! ❤❤❤

[@elaineteut9579]

My Grandpa and his brother managed a movie theatre in Fairfield back in the late 1920’s. I still have the picture of them standing outside it.

[@JamesABeckHouse]

If you would like to share I would absolutely love to see that photograph email is [e-mail]

[@Nancy-y8q1n]

They might want to consider using epoxy on the base those pillars

[@evelynromero5347]

You both are so hilarious! This is definitely a labor of love. Project, project, and more projects! You are doing FABULOUS work on this beautiful house. May you have many years enjoying it! It's going to be so much fun decorating it for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the holidays! ❤😂

[@melindawilliams6624]

The Ghostbusters part had me cracking up! I'm aghast at how beautiful your "project" is. Good Luck!😅

[@PS-bs8oe]

What a jewel. But I think I wouldn't leave the West coast for it... Hope you guys know Restoration Nagion, a great channel to see a lot of love and care for southetn belles mansions.

[@whisperingpines6728]

I love that house growing up!!! Always wondered what the inside looked like. Thank you

[@nitahiltner3348]

There are houses like this all over the midwest, millions of them.

[@bonnieyuse5876]

What does One do with a House that Huge? Heaven only Knows but it's Beautiful! ❤

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

You stabilize, repair, replace, restore, maintain, and LOVE it! I have a simple 1913 model. I originally wanted a Craftsman bungalow, but this one hooked and reeled me in! I'm not disappointed!

[@lindakinzer6698]

It is stunningly beautiful. Beautiful. I haven't read through all the comments, but is that the coach house that appears to be on your property or another home that's the same color?

[@JamesABeckHouse]

Yes it's the "carriage house" and is part of the house/property will be doing a future video in it

[@biscottiluigi711]

What a gorgeous house,you are so lucky to have found it!!

[@annade435]

Wow. Greetings and congrats from Germany. This is amazing.

[@francisholzmeister]

What an Amazing House! God Bless your projects :)

[@kimberlyearly8918]

The woodwork is absolutely stunning! I wish you would’ve shown the whole room and not just the fireplace and stained glass. The little reading nook/library is super cool!

[@JamesABeckHouse]

@kimberlyearly8918 we will be showing another more if the house as we move forward if you like to follow along please subscribe

[@kimberlyolander2403]

I am absolutely in love with your house, if I lived there you wouldn’t be able to get me out of the secret library, I would want to change the to something that is more like a secret door that you would have to know about in order to find it so I could just hide in there with all of my books and read in peace. ❤

[@csccw3620]

Amazing and so glad she’s been saved and not demolished or made into units. Enjoy and thank you for the video. What stories she must hold

[@brianmahoney4156]

i also moved to iowa from the west coast. get ready for some intense culture shock. things are really good here though, much better than back west

[@terrig4750]

Wow you are so lucky to have that beautiful and awesome home. Enjoy.

[@roxyjackson893]

wat een prachtig huis met zoveel autentieke elementen wat een geweldige aankoop proficiat groetjes uit belgié