Restoring Our Victorian : Episode 1

We're underway! After several days of cleaning and reducing, we've started the restoration of this amazing house. In this video we're addressing some structural issues in the room that will undergo the greatest transformation. We will make 2 full bathrooms and a closet out of this parlor. But first, we have to deal with the ROT!
www.ourrestorationnation.com/
Instagram: / ourrestorationnation
Facebook: / ourrestorationnation
Before/After Time Lapse Remodel Home Restoration Renovation Preservation Historic Home Victorian Home This Old House Magnolia HGTV DIY How To Laine Berry Kevin Berry

[@mickeymacon1281]

When my wife was a teen she lived in a house across the street and on the corner. That house is no longer there. She always admired the Victorian home across the street and always wanted to know why it was empty and what it looked like on the inside. Thanks for purchasing this home and restoring it with the love and attention to detail She deserves. When we realized that it was you guys who purchased this home and you were going to let us watch the progress we celebrated loudly ! Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you!

[@FollowerOfYeshua1974]

I'm so glad y'all dont remove walls. I cant stand it when folks do the open concept in a historic house. Makes these old houses look like glorified mobile homes. 😳

[@kck9742]

Nothing pisses me off more than when someone buys an historic home and then proceeds to ruin it because they want it modern.

[@iamloved223]

@@kck9742 Agreed! We sold our 1927 Craftsman to a family that stripped the original hardwood floors (they were not even in need of refinishing) and then put a matte finish poly over the now light oak wood, left all the doors and trim the original stain color so nothing matched and it looks absolutely horrible.

[@jedimaestergandalf9090]

Helps when the home is massive and spacious like this one. I understand removing a few walls in homes where rooms are no longer the size someone would want.

[@toniasalways]

@@jedimaestergandalf9090 In that case they bought the wrong house.

[@daze81324]

Yep, my parents did that. They didn’t intend to, but quickly discovered the whole house had severe termite damage and almost everything would have to be rebuilt. Then my dad built it back differently. My mom always said they ruined the house.

[@lyndabridges719]

I’m glad you are showing the actual work, this is what I watch the program for. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Somewhereintime22]

You are so right about the time it takes to do things right. I renovated/ restored a 1920’s bungalow on my own as a single lady with a full time job and it took 17 years. I got so tired of hearing…”So when will you be done?” The answer was always…”when I’m done.” People love to see the pretty finished parts but have no idea that 95% of the work on these old houses is the part you have to do before you jump into the fun stuff like painting and decorating. I lived in my house the whole time…and…had a 50 minute commute both ways to work every day. But…my house was absolutely gorgeous when I finished it. I ended up selling it but was so pleased that the people who bought it love it as much as I did. You’re also right about taking care of your health…I didn’t wear a respirator when I stripped, scraped and sanded acres of wood and it weakened my immune system. Working on restoring that right now but if anyone is reading this who’s working on an old house…don’t make the mistakes I did…take care of your health. This house is going to be so beautiful when you’re done…but I can tell you two enjoy the process. That’s what it’s all about. So many people are impatient and just want instant results…no ability to delay gratification to make sure things are done correctly. Love watching your channel and love how you do things so meticulously. You two are a great team.

[@brendawagner6590]

I appreciate how authentic you are. I'm trying to get my husband on board with purchasing an old home we can restore one day in the near future. We also both work full time. It's clearly a labor of love based on watching your videos! I'm on board 100%. Just gotta get him there! 🤣

[@FollowerOfYeshua1974]

Just watch out for those money pits. We bought a 1890's farmhouse eight years ago and cant even finish it. It needs way too much work. Its more than what we can afford and cant afford to move. So here we are with a really bad leaky roof, foundation sinking into the sandy soil, half gutted bathroom, snakes, possums, chipmunks, mice, and rats in the walls and attic, etc etc. I love old houses but if we could we would just build a new "old" house.

[@brendawagner6590]

@@FollowerOfYeshua1974 thanks for the warning. We will definitely be cautious and try to avoid a money pit...but I guess there are no guarantees with an older home. The oldest I have owned so far was a 1945 house.

[@julieshaker225]

Love love the painted ladies. Gone is a time where craftsmanship was at its best. A lot of people aren't aware that the reason the windows are so tall and can be walked through is because they were taxed on how many doors they had. With the windows being accessible to go through they bypass the tax. Pretty clever. The Victorians had so many cool things.

[@IowaMercMan]

@Julie Shaker that may be true in some tax districts, but it’s not the only reason for the tall windows. The real reason is being able to cool the house. This is achieved by lowering the upper sash at the same time the bottom sash is raised. This allows the hot air near the ceiling to exit while cooler air enters from below… which happens naturally by convection. Hope this makes sense. The secret is the tall window so they had plenty of air flow both at the top and bottom. **Similar reasoning for transom windows above bedroom doors: allows airflow while the bedroom door is closed at night.

[@chuckandmax7313]

Could you show us a floor plan of the entire house please? I love Victorian homes and am always drawing and designing floor plans for them. I’m very interested in you’re saying the house has 5 parlors, so I’d love to see how they are situated and to what purpose did they have. Were they just all for entertaining guests? Or did each parlor have its own unique Victorian function that has been lost to time? I do hope you will see this message because the floor plans are always my favorite thing to see in an old house. Thanks in advance. ChuckandMax

[@OurRestorationNation]

Hi ChuckandMax. That’s in the plans for sure.

[@moodylicious]

oops. I lost a nice comment. So, here's a shortened version. While this is not Laine & Kevin's house, you can get some ideas of other houses, the room placement & function. You could type into your google browser bar these words: original Victorian Queen Anne floor plan Then click (under the browser bar) "Images"

[@HermicraftAddict]

These series is so much better than those glorified home repair shows on television networks.

[@catofthecastle1681]

I used to spend most of my life restoring old homes. When you opened up that floor, I could smell the dry rot! All of my homes were in Arkansas too! Originally from Lawrence county but I lived in Crossett so I know the heat you are enduring!

[@christinegermundson4286]

I'm so glad you are keeping the historic characteristics of the house. So many people take these beautiful old houses and turn them into plain, all-white houses with no personality. That makes me sad.

[@SteveL2012]

Really cool how you show each step and explain the process-makes it seem less daunting even in 95 degree heat!

[@justinedragonfly3456]

I am beyond thrilled to have found you and your channel! You guys are so knowledgeable and entertaining. I subscribed after the first video I saw and I can’t wait to see more from you. Thank you for all the work you’re doing to bring this beauties back to life. And thank you for teaching us along the way. With love and admiration - Justine. :)

[@briannaoduinn8902]

I am finally in my dream home - a 120+ year old home. We are working on redoing the house. It won't be back to its original glory as previous owners have already made that impossible. It will be as close as we can get it. The only down side is, it took until I was 60 years old and not in good physical shape to get it. There's only so much I can do. Thanks for showing your work. It will help me put what energy I can into it without wasting it.

[@reginabator1682]

I'm enjoying this so far, wish I could be there to assist !

[@markellwilliams3594]

I’m so excited that there’s gonna be episodes to this. It’s MY favorite part. I love the before , during and the afters. Right down to watching the work it takes behind this. I’m looking to do something like this. It’s in the working. Yes lord. Thanks for sharing beautiful people 👌🏾👍🏾🙏🏽🦋🌸🌸🌸🦋

[@richardbedard1245]

I really like your thoughts on leaving doorways and walls in such a manner that a "next owner" could take it back to original. There is a reason why these old homes are still standing.

[@Noway-ne5pe]

It's so great to see the nuts and bolts of how to do a restoration. I don't know how you do it, but you all look so cool and collected in that 90 degree/humidity. I have really enjoyed binge watching all your videos and the story of how you both met. I just thought I would pass along a couple of things you might like. First, if you haven't seen it, the 1997 movie, "The Saint" with Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue. Second, a wonderful book that is a true story, based on letters written by a woman from an old New Orleans family. She lived from just before the Civil War to the 1920's or '30's. It is "Dear Lily: A Love Story", by Malcolm Greenough, the story of the Greenough and Violette families. Although there is tragedy, there are so many interesting moments, and true love thought lost is restored. There are also photographs of the family from the Victorian & Edwardian eras. You will love the history, but also, with your bridal designing talent, the love stories and a wedding from that time. From a review - "DEAR LILY is a publishing event to celebrate--an old-fashioned love story with a happy ending that also provides a wonderfully authentic, close-in, 'personal' look at history. The story begins in New Orleans on the eve of the Civil War, follows the fortunes of Lily Violett and her family through the war years, vividly reflecting the time from the viewpoint of that one family, and then, as peace comes to America and the Reconstruction to the South, ranges north to Canada and overseas to England and Europe, returning to fashionable Philadelphia at the close of the century and sojourning at the magnificent resort hotels that then graced the coast of Maine. It is in Maine that one idyllic summer brings together Lily Violett's niece, Violett Whelen of Philadelphia, and young Malcolm Greenough of Boston. Summers abroad, grand Society weddings (one held beneath live oak trees sprayed with gold and silver dust), private musicales, a fateful duel, ecstatic love affairs, and annihilating sorrow all add up to a superbly evocative American saga, illustrated with actual photographs of all the principal characters...because DEAR LILY is quite marvelously at one and the same time both a romantic novel and the memoir of a real family." I look forward to seeing the next restoration phase of Miss Melanie!

[@JLegayFineArt]

I loved every minute of the video. Thank you and I actually learned something.

[@deanbrunner261]

Don't forget to put in a timecapsule for the next generation. PVC pipe with caps on both ends work well. I put them in at every major remodel I do

[@OurRestorationNation]

I like this idea!

[@marigeobrien]

I can't believe the amount of work you get done considering the conditions of the south in June, and especially since you both have full-time jobs. Whew!

[@yanniwang]

The end results are always so breathtaking, but this is literally what I have always been curious about. How do you start? What do you do first? How much effort is really actually involved? Thank you for showing us, I love what you do and your channel too!!

[@lorenrobertson8039]

I imagine that if that flooring was in such bad shape that all of the entire house will need to have the same attention from underneath even if the flooring isn't being torn out. Bless you for all the work your doing!

[@OurRestorationNation]

Luckily it’s not- this room suffered a roof leak for MANY years, but it was the only place water intruded. So, the extreme problems we have here aren’t present elsewhere. The foundation will still get treated for termites, a vapor barrier and insulated for our area, but luckily no more rotten joists!

[@lorenrobertson8039]

@@OurRestorationNation I am very impressed with you both as I have already said. Have you ever been to Imboden, AR? It is a small town on HWY 412 W/63 N. there sits a beloved old home that used to belong to a family friend's aunt. It was going to ruin, but it looks now like someone is in residence or working on it...but not much has been done from looking at the outside. This town is full of beautiful old homes. Many built of local stone. My own great grandparents modelled their own home from a home they fell in love with here. We have a summer cabin built by them 100+ years ago on the Spring River in Hardy, AR. You would love to see the beautiful wood and rock used in the building of our place. It's been years since I was able to make the trip to my cabin. I co-own it with an estranged aunt. Hope you all can visit that area of the state even though most of the towns are being overcome with modernization. Not the pristine beautiful area it was in my time.

[@sewbecca]

Just found (& subscribed!) to your channel because of this series! I love old buildings and can’t wait to see this come back to life each week!

[@itsallmyfault264]

So glad you decided to show the restoration! I can't wait to see this beautiful house finished! Thank you 😊

[@OurRestorationNation]

Thank you for joining us on these journeys!

[@gram4122]

Enjoying the down and dirty footage showing the reality of how much hard work is involved in transforming these precious old girls (in my world all old houses are gorgeous girls, whether still resplendent in their finery or past their prime in tattered old dresses). Thank you for your passion.

[@dP.Dp21]

I am from Russia, and I like watching your KZbin channel! Thanks!

[@Persephone0110]

Wow you two work hard! This was amazing to learn. This is stuff they should be teaching in school in my opinion. All of the "reduce, reuse, recycle" education is great. How about restoration & preservation for kids interested in wood work, and similar trades. Can't wait to see how this turns out!

[@OurRestorationNation]

Amen. I totally agree.

[@catlover9023]

I enjoy your channel and when you show already, beautifully, finished 'aged' homes. But I am thrilled you are showing a restoration from the beginning. I spent my early childhood years in an aged home that my dad restored. Its probably nearly 200 yrs old now, and still standing and lived in. This takes me back to those days of carrying wood and tools and holding things up for him. So much I could say. But, thank you.

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

I am so happy to have found your channel. So many have no clue what they are doing when they take on a restoration. In fact, most don't even know the meaning of that word. God bless you both!

[@OurRestorationNation]

Thank you!!

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

@@OurRestorationNation You are very welcome. Thank you for saving our historic homes.

[@cweaver6792]

Love this restoration.... I don't care how long it takes or if they are short videos. You two are GREAT at explaining what you are doing. Please stay cool. Rest a little!

[@eVamlite]

I'm glad y'all cleaned that out before I got there.

[@Jeff_Reed]

I’m really enjoying your channel! I love that you have educated yourself on the various architectural styles and periods so that you can read an old building and restore it accordingly, that is a rare thing to see.

[@nancydrew4915]

I'm sticking around Kevin and Laine are my Superhero and heroine of old houses!! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

[@colleenkerr4237]

Im so excited there's already another video up of you guys restoring this beauty. This is one of my favorite eras soon love Victorian homes. Can't wait to watch the process

[@carlmclelland7624]

I forgot to add, Laine, is Brian Rodgers still the Monticello city building inspector? Brian and his wife, Melissa, are wonderful people, and he should be able to steer you toward good carpernters and help around the area. Brian was a storehouse of knowledge and local lore when I was researching for my book, "LADELL: the Final Chapter," back in 2014.

[@deannanewton3144]

that's interesting that you pointed that out. We purchased another house that is a modest Victorian that has been used as a rental. A non cared- for rental. We went to the basement and a couple of the joists (over the bathroom, of course) are so skinny that I know our first payout is going to foundation and beams. What did my husband get me into 🤦‍♀️

[@The_MM_Life]

Full time jobs and tackle all that, you guys are awesome.

[@linseypollack2309]

I appreciate you explaining the why of your tasks.

[@minniemouse5960]

Thank you for showing the work. I've always wanted to own a Victorian, but I know that I'm probably going to end up with a fixer-upper or restoration project. I appreciate the glimpse of what I'm in for!

[@deniseschweigl1283]

So happy I found your channel!!! Looking forward to the wealth of info you have!!! Thank you!

[@anndoherty5860]

I just love what you are doing! Restoration as opposed to renovation and helping the local community at the same time. Can’t wait to see more of your amazing project! Keep up the good work!

[@jennjohnson-richards5829]

Yes!!! Love seeing step by step!

[@alliekingsley7919]

Always inspiring to me to see the two of you hard at work!

[@cathyeden3174]

I really love that you are taking us through the process of everything that you are doing.

[@pueblodove]

This is cool, I love how knowledgeable you are on everything, and what all you are showing. My house is 120 years old, so hopefully I can learn a few things. I am going to watch all of them.

[@KittyHannah]

Thank you for the videos! They are literally my favorite.

[@conniefifer2406]

You two are a joy to watch! I always look for another mini restoration video adventure!

[@MariaM-yn9tl]

Great inspiration! Can’t wait to see the progress. 💃🏻🏠

[@doriskovalcik442]

Looking forward to seeing more of this restoration.

[@kdm51784gtv]

Love the commentary along the way. Learning so much from y’all, thank you for sharing your knowledge/experiences.

[@lesaschmidt7668]

I love what you and Kevin do! I can’t wait to see what is in store for Miss Melly. Keep up the amazing work💜

[@denisea871]

I'm looking forward to watching all the progress you make on this wonderful home.

[@michelleschwab8380]

Loving this so much. Also find it so cool that this is what you guys do together on the weekends. REally inspiring and very resoursful! Loving it! Excited for the journey not marathon!

[@tinamarie3411]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video, love seeing and hearing about the how-to's.. Can't wait to see more!! GOOD LUCK! ♡

[@ladystatesman2249]

New to this channel. LOVING it! Thank you for sharing with us!!

[@karynbrown7519]

Great fun watching!

[@misscharwinter2233]

Wow...you two work and work! Love your videos 💕

[@adrianguynn5807]

Great video! Fantastic millwork in this home. Love your dedication, can't wait for the next one.

[@joan8178]

Can't thank you enough for these informative & inspiring vids. Enjoy this weekend!

[@loriswain8140]

I love that you show that it’s hard, slow, tedious work and it’s also so rewarding! You guys kick butt! Thanks for keeping it real

[@mamab4211]

How fun!! Slow and steady! Looking forward to the next video 💞

[@jefflawrentz1624]

I LOVE your channel! This is wonderful and I appreciate your explanations on the process. I’m so happy I found this channel. 😃

[@lesleighc6949]

So exciting! Can't wait to see the next episode!

[@johngiampapa]

That was a great video, thank you! I love how neatly you work. I really appreciate an uncluttered organized work space! -John

[@Lorili59]

Just love following you two! I like this style of video. Nice to mix things up! Will never grow tired of learning with you guys! ♥️

[@cidneyko9977]

I love this! Such great information. Love seeing the whole process

[@hoot9819]

So excited to watch this transformation! Good luck and best wishes!

[@tammy4180]

I have been needing to replace my floors in my 1908 home for years now, but was so unsure where to start. I can't wait to see how this progresses. You guys helped me to see that I can do it!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@liontribeofjudah5616]

Love this video. Thanks for sharing. The house is lovely..

[@lisaknell1809]

You guys are living my dream. Thanks for saving these beautiful ladies! I really enjoy your videos!

[@courtdemilio833]

I love you guys! Hard-working and inspiring with a positive, REAL attitude! You’re my favorite home preservationists online because of your wealth of knowledge with an entertaining twist. Always wishing ya’ll the best.

[@NoirGirl39]

I love seeing the floor open like this! I always wondered how someone could hide stuff under the floor and it finally makes sense. Love you both, keep up the great work! 👏🏻

[@dawnbarnes8729]

Love watching the work and seeing the change. Y’all be careful with the heat and humidity. I’m from Arkansas, so know exactly what you speak about. ❤️😊

[@polochick2006]

I could watch this all day!

[@doublekhobbyfarm]

Excited to follow in your journey!

[@goddessinthegroove]

I love watching this so much. I am just amazed at how are you guys take all of this in stride when you find things like dry rot, etc. especially since this is not your full-time job! I think it’s a good reminder for all of us to go all googly eyed when we see these beautiful old houses. You either need to be able to do these kind of repairs yourself, or have the extra dollars stashed away to pay someone else to do it.

[@carolpipher4839]

I'm digging this! Won't miss an episode! ⭐👍🏡🤗

[@ilove2paint]

I have been bingeing on your videos, having SO much fun! great video, looking forward to see the whole huge project as you guys work on it. 💖👍

[@mspalding4605]

Fantastic. Love watching the process. So satisfying.

[@christythomas2871]

I LOVED this video! I’ve just finished watching all of the seasons of Restored on Discovery+ and have learned so much! Looking forward to learning more through your vlogs!

[@brendawagner6590]

🤣🤣 I'm going through the seasons of Restored too!

[@deannanewton3144]

I am going to look it up

[@greybriar]

Love this series! You guys are doing a great job and I hope i can restore an old home one day!!

[@TallulahBelle3276]

This place is beautiful and so worth restoring. I’m so excited to see what you’re going to do with it. 👍🏼💝🌎💝👍🏼

[@brendasmith5699]

Love 💘 😻 💜 you guys and all your devotion and love of restoring history ❤ Thank yaw💯😍🤗

[@marthacouturier-coleman2872]

You folksxare workaholics that are sooo amazing to watch!!! Thank you Miss Laine... have a wonderful 2 weeks.

[@bethmann3283]

I'm so excited to be seeing this beautiful lady being brought back to life. I hope somewhere along the way pictures surface of when she was in use and being lived in ❤️

[@shellydehart8217]

Oh I plan on sticking around. I admire you both. You both have jobs yet you give that extra time to making these beautiful houses back to being beautiful ladies. You enjoy your time to together n with family n will be looking forward to next video. ♥️😊👍👍

[@annroberts3635]

Can’t wait to see what you do next. Ann from Va.

[@adiemarie]

Loving it!! Keep them coming!

[@angelk5415]

Thank you guys for sharing!!

[@vanessasumares8228]

Love being included on your journey ❤️❤️ Cannot wait for the next episode 🌻

[@carlmclelland7624]

Laine, When I saw that joist and the 2x4 someone sistered onto it, I saw that as a test. Will they scab it, or will they do it right? Congratulations, you and Kevin picked 'Door #2,' and you're doing it right. Same thing with the wood chard's lying on the ground under the floor. Good job! I would also go under and paint all the underfloor and structural wood with Linseed Oil to prevent the termites from bridging up the foundation to the new lumber you'll be installing. I think even Mike Holmes would be proud of your efforts....

[@lorenrobertson8039]

I love you guys! Kuddos for all the respect you give to this beautiful old lady! From one old lady to another, you will be fabulous~!

[@robinkishmiller2596]

Wonderful work!

[@sewcrazybaker]

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I'm not the only one who had her foot go through the floor! I did that in October of 2019 while putting dishes away. Our house was built in 1999, so it's fairly new. A few months before my foot went down, we were infested with mice! Of course our cats ignored them, leaving my husband to trap 21 mice in just 11 days. Joe then blocked the entrances the mice were using to get in here. The carpenter ants that we had every spring should have tipped us off that there was something going on under the house. Since we don't have a basement, we don't go under there very often. My husband went down there to see what was going on. Well, the membrane under the house was hanging down to the floor of the crawlspace because it was filled with water. Joe said it looked like udders. He duct taped a utility knife to my clothesline pole and slashed the membrane in several places. Good thing he was not down there because he would have been soaked. So he finally was able to see why all that water was down there. The drain pipe from the kitchen sink had separated, so when the water went down the drain, it went right into the membrane! We had a plumber come out to give us an estimate to fix it. He told us it was a 2 man job and would take most of one day. He told us the cost would be $2,500!!! My husband told him we would get back to him. We didn't. Joe fixed it himself for $200, which included a new faucet. So now we have to replace the entire floor in the kitchen. This means I'm getting a NEW KITCHEN!!! HUZZAH!!!

[@OurRestorationNation]

GO JOE!!!!! It’s insane what people will ask for to make a fairly minor repair. More proof you can DIY!!

[@sewcrazybaker]

@@OurRestorationNation and Joe is now 78 years old, but you would never know it. He's awesome!

[@thomasbranconier]

This is awesome, thanks for all the tips!

[@hilarycosgrove]

I had questions but you answered them all. Love your content 😁

[@barbaraness4507]

We definitely can relate to high humidity here in south Texas!

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

Me too. I love these videos so much.

[@heathergardner1104]

Way to go!! Thanks for showing the dirty, real life of this whole process!!

[@danrothenhoefer4634]

Fantastic Episode! I just finished restoring a bunch of beams under my father's house by bolting joists to reinforce rotten beams. Except, I didn't remove the floorboards. I went down in the crawlspace with sections of beam, nails and a drill and did the reinforcing with the floor in place.