The BEST Discoveries We've Found in the School So Far

[@patlarimore6960]

That old water fountain would be perfect outside where children would be playing...a quick drink on a hot day for the kids!

[@sandysouthward3635]

Great idea!!

[@AkoTheElite]

Nothing like rust to quench ones thirst

[@paulsimmons9579]

Would be better than a garden hose!

[@deckedout6610]

It would freeze and burst in winter months

[@robinholbrook6576]

@@deckedout6610Not if you turn water off and wrap it. We have to do that with outdoor faucets here in San Antonio. Just because it freezes doesn’t mean we can’t have access to water outside!

[@Late_to_the_party]

I love the idea of having school photos and articles about the school on the walls. It will feel like the memories will come back and make the school/house truly alive. Great job!!!

[@phyllisanngodfrey6137]

As a master bricklayer’s daughter…….I love all the brick. My dad went to bricklaying school after seeing 4 years of front line duty in an artillery division (Paton’s 3rd Army) in France and Belgium. After years of shelling beautiful buildings into rubble piles……HE WANTED TO BUILD THEM instead 😉

[@friedasorber1653]

I own an almost 300 year old brick house in Belgium. The bricks were hand made on site with clay from what became the basement. What a special man your father must have been. Really appreciate your story.

[@attilladacook3405]

I was a museum schoolhouse docent. We had a great historian who advised on the restoration. Robins egg blue was the standard colour used in schools back in the day. Every school had a bubbler (water fountain) also.

[@jimg5669]

Yeah, I recognized that actual "bubbler" style fountain. 😆 Very out of fashion (hygene reasons probably). Don't think I've seen one in 40 years!

[@Stacy-iu6ch]

The brick is stunning. Good job.

[@tracisawyer7681]

Those wood floors are to die for!! thank you for saving such a brilliant piece of craftsmanship

[@Christine-777]

They really ARE! 😲🥰

[@kathyrichards4795]

The brick walls …so much work but sooo worth it! They are absolutely gorgeous! You are doing such an amazing and careful job in restoring this old school house and one day before you know it you will have a wonderful home for your family. 😊

[@Christine-777]

I wholeheartedly agree!! ❤

[@lisagrafton2529]

I saw someone redo a clawfoot tub. They tried many things to get it refinished. Then someone suggested they use MARINE PAINT, in thin layers, after the tub was sanded, bonded and sanded again, several times, to make sure there would be no bumps or high/low sections. She used a small roller with a short nap, and only put on very thin layers, waiting 24-48 hours between layers, sanding between layers! It turned out beautiful! She also put the MARINE paint on the top of an antique dresser she is using for a sink. The body of the dresser is painted with normal furniture paint, but the top could get water on it, so now it's protected!

[@peggynorton5145]

Yes! @elysiaenglish

[@marydumois4242]

Fantastic idea!

[@AlisMarsaili1351]

The bathtubs we have today are nothing like the claw foot tubs of the past. I miss mine so much it’s nice to know that someone out there is working so hard on one. Claw foot tubs are art!

[@fletcherchambliss1590]

History major/teacher here 🙋🏼‍♀️ I LOVE how you are preserving all the things. And the research you have done.

[@LoJo99]

Yes!

[@cherylemaybury9967]

I have always wanted to convert an old school or church into a home because it gives such an original home. I’m too old now. I am moving into a retirement village this year so it is fun for me to watch someone else do the work. I love the character in your school house. Being a retired teacher myself, I love how you are retaining so much of the school’s original features and history. I can’t wait to see the finished house.

[@georgeadams1089]

Those floors!!! Stunning and perfect for your home. The small things like the water fountain that you are saving will make all the details.

[@janblack7265]

You are restoring this school to a beautiful home!! The floors and bricks are outstanding! Love it all! ❤

[@kathrinekerns8398]

The floors in the children's bedrooms are beautiful. Everything is turning out so nice.

[@elizabethlarose3632]

Loving your renovation…loving your discoveries of the photos of the students and teachers….❤

[@margaretbedwell3211]

That 3rd grade picture....notice all the girls have a Buster Brown haircut. I recall have a haircut just like that at about that age.

[@FizzyMoonBeam]

I love seeing the history of old buildings! Thanks for keeping some of the old historic stuff and not just tearing it down :)

[@poodlegirl55]

I just live in a 1965 stone ranch but when we took paneling down to remodel the kitchen I found the original aqua color from 1965. It makes a difference when you choose original colors and I love what you are doing. The dark office will be cool.

[@kristamorehead-mcnutt1714]

Retired teacher and historian!! ❤❤❤ Love this!! I worked at school that was once a segregated high school and had so many cool artifacts from the school. And a teacher that Retired left me her saved things for the 40+ years she was there. Newspapers, old books, library check out cards from kids that became city leaders. Such cool little histories

[@rodneywilhelm8912]

The original wood floors are awesome!

[@sboltinghouse]

I keep thinking, "If those walls could talk... ?" but you guys are finding a way to listen. So cool.

[@deannapritchard6660]

I watched my parents' high school being demolished. It was across the street from our home. I really appreciate you giving this tired lady a shot of eternal beauty❤

[@shirleydelehanty3466]

Thank you for beautifullly preserving our history. And not considering it disposable.

[@robertakers4970]

I wish every city and town would preserve the High Schools as a part of that town's history. I attended Bloomington High School which later burned down. That's been some nearly 60 years ago, and I still a part of me is gone. Once they are destroyed, there is no going back...and that's sad.

[@evangelinekeeley3531]

I believe the symmetrical nail holes in the original floor boards are from the desks which were nailed in place.

[@beanie7547]

As someone who has traveled historical areas of the states and around the world I appreciate the work you’ve done to preserve your school house and reuse as much of the material in the school. Can’t wait to see the end results especially that water fountain.

[@heyhope326]

This is the opposite of millennial gray and I LOVE IT!! All the life and beauty, it's just living and breathing. ❤️❤️

[@christinefrances5598]

I just found your site and I am delighted. I am a retired teacher, age 71. I attended a much smaller brick school in the 1950's, (Crowell School, Haverhill Massachusetts). I love to see old buildings come alive for new generations.There are many things in your school that are so much like my school. I cannot wait to see the process and finished home. God Bless!!

[@lindarosenthal6835]

Love the water fountain! The brick and wood floors look fabulous.

[@Christine-777]

Breathtaken! 😲😍❤️ Your home's walls are filled with students' light finger touches, and echoes with the prayers, hopes, and dreams of teachers, children, and their parents! And, now, yours! 😲 What a magnificent find and renovation! I'm delighted to have stumbled upon this today, and am looking forward to seeing all the progress and hearing your continued stories. By the way, the brick turned out magnificently! Everyone needs a Brad is their life! 😂❤ Take care, and I am looking forward to watching your Playlist! ❤🙏🥰

[@GrammaJo360]

This lady has a lovely speaking voice! Easy to listen to! My cousin and her husband bought an old church building and fixed it up as their home. They loved it and so did their 10 children!

[@bamalady7314]

It would be really cool if you could turn all the articles into a collage/wallpaper for a room

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

I actually bought some paper to do that, I'm trying to figure out how to collage them without making it overwhelming since the walls are 13ft high haha.

[@diamondperidot]

That will be beautiful. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

[@brackalack1]

I think there are companies that will print wall paper for you? I'm sure I've seen something like that on some of the diy tv shows.

[@Mimilikesstuff]

Maybe as an "accent wall" - one of the smaller sections of wall, even floor to ceiling, I think wouldn't be too overwhelming.

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

@@brackalack1 yeah I've used Spoonflower before! I was going to look at it when we get to start doing fun projects instead of like toilets, haha

[@amyspeers8012]

I live in a small village in SW France. My neighbor is also an American. Her realtor reached out to her. A house she was selling and lots of pictures of our village. The seller didn’t want anything so we were able to get pictures on our village, our street and our houses!

[@chlexiel.1022]

LOVE the fountain and past student pics🥰🥰. I just love how you are incorporating those things, and original pops of paint colors that were in the classrooms. This was a very enjoyable video. Thank you for sharing.

[@CathyMiller0711]

The beautiful floors! The old plaster walls! The beautiful brick! Those adorable class photos! Love it all! Thank you for sharing the journey.

[@leahv5892]

I love that this will be a house that will be in your family for literally generations. Your sons will tell their grandchildren about all this work you’re doing. ❤

[@tamivega6225]

When I first saw the plan to turn this big ole boxy building into a home I thought no matter what you did it would still be miserable to live in. You've changed my mind.This is the greatest WABI-SABI project. (Finding beauty in imperfection) And I thought it was Barbra Streisand!

[@robinholbrook6576]

I don’t understand the Barbra Streisand comment! Would you enlighten me?

[@Missginalove]

The school was possibly build by parents who children will attend. Thats the beauty of small towns everything built with quality to last cause you or someone you knew will be spending time in that area so you did your work with passion.

[@robinholbrook6576]

Most likely built by the county and county workers.

[@acsberean4092]

Very eclectic building redo. Making use of the old water fountain really adds to the ambiance of the school and all the children who drank from it. Pretty cool....

[@hadeev]

I respect your desire and intention to restore the treasures you find within your new home, to their original condition, and put them back into their original spot. In the long run, it may cost a small fortune to clean, plumb and save that water fountain. Some things may not be fully salvageable, but can be repurposed as art. Everything about that water fountain is screaming “garden feature” to me. It looks like either a birdbath, or a planter for hen and chick succulents. That’s my two cents’ worth.

[@roybal1975]

Good thing about brick is that it will keep the school house aka "house" cool in the summer.👍

[@MoonlightandMagnolias]

Your cocktail room would also make a perfect storm cellar!

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

1000%- brick surrounded by brick surrounded by brick

[@karyndekeiser-moulton1213]

Love the fact that you are preserving all the history of the school! And the wood floors are to die for!

[@lindamurns1245]

And I love that you accept the character of the floors ! I've often said if old things could talk, wow !

[@julicool1852]

25 cents Basketball game..!! ..and that was less than a 100 yrs ago.. Really amazing to make a dream come true..May God always bless you and your family in your new home...

[@jenwhi7778]

I love how you’re not trying to make it perfect. I love all the imperfections. Especially in the flooring. The beautiful building has so many stories. The colours are so cool. Great choices so far and I’m so excited to see the walls painted.

[@christineoreilly8912]

You are saving a piece of history. Someone else may have torn it down. It is very fun to see the rooms take shape.

[@auntie44m]

There is now beautiful light in the secret room, I can see you falling in love with your new kitchen space.

[@heidijasper5915]

The exposed brick walls look AMAZING!!! Well done to your Mason and yourselves for all the hard work!! 😮❤😮❤

[@genevievemurray7743]

It’s a wonderful project. I feel the need to share a story from my adult daughter. When we moved to a bigger house where the children had their own rooms, she said that it wasn’t just being separated from sharing with her brothers but also that our parents retreat and bedroom was at the far end of the house that left her frightened every night. This sparked a memory of my fear of the dark as a child and the great distance to my parents room at night. We were only in the next room down the “enormous” corridor. On revisiting this childhood home is saw it was a tiny house with close rooms. A child’s perspective makes everything bigger and time longer. All the best for your plans as I send this message with love.

[@waynewayne7395]

I never thought you could make a old school liveable, great job.

[@MissPancakeAndBacon]

This is probably coolest renovation I’ve ever seen. I’m a self taught, single mom, home renovator. I got into it mainly because I didn’t want to pay people to do things I knew I could figure out. I’ve always tinkered with things to figure out how things worked. You can reference my mom’s favorite story about me taking apart a broken toaster because I was curious about the workings. As my mom walked into the kitchen on a Saturday morning during one summer she found me on the floor, newspaper taped down, and numerous parts of the toaster lined up in the order I took it apart in, not only did I fix it but I gave her a lesson in the why and how it worked. Since then her and I found out how to fix almost anything. When you tube and google made its introduction, that propelled my curiosity. I must have been about 12 then… now in my 40’s, I’m at a fork in my road of life. Do I move? Do I renovate? I have a 1100 square foot home in a perfect rectangle. However the layout and floor plan is trash. Most of the space is wasted and not functional. I just drew up a new floor plan. By myself and had it approved. It’s a tiny job compared to yours but what channels like yours do is motivate and inspire people like me to keep going. Thank you and I can’t wait to keep watching.

[@shereenreynolds2629]

Those original floors are gorgeous! Reminds me of when I was a little girl in the 60s. An old school in our community was torn down and my dad removed the hardwood floors and put them into a bedroom addition of our house.

[@annetteknitter1113]

I love the idea of a water fountain in a house!

[@Zoe-c9z]

The brick turned out beautiful

[@markleingruener654]

Making a custom wallpaper out of the many newspaper clippings for the pantry or maybe inside the large walking closets would be fun.

[@dspine6]

I lived through a serious remodeling of my 100 year old farmhouse in northern Indiana, so I definitely sympathize with the chaos. You and your husband have taken on an enormous effort to save the school building. I've really enjoyed following your journey!

[@mc5366]

Love the old wood floors and that water fountain, what a gem to find old photos and newspaper clippings of the school!

[@colleenbalch328]

You've done an amazing job carrying two things for this whole process, to make a wonderful home for your family and future, and to honor and preserve the school building's history. So glad to know you've had the solid support of family and incredible contractor builders and as one of those internet watchers, I'm happy to offer the modest support of following, liking, and commenting. You're doing a A+ job (former educator here). Here for it all and looking forward to seeing each step unfold.

[@johnmuncy4872]

It's coming along nicely. It will be nice to see the end results.

[@DonnaLane-pw4rg]

Ya'll have done an amazing job with the restoration of the old school, it's beautiful ya 'll should be very proud of your hard work 😮😅😅😅

[@robine916]

For the porcelain water fountain, I would check with a professional. I've seen people attempt to do it themselves but it didn't turn out as nice as they would like. (One woman ended up using marine paint for her bathtub instead). 💖💖💖The brick is my fav!

[@lauralee2248]

I love the teal/ turquoise/green colors you have sampled..

[@garyjones2582]

The place is looking amazing.. Thx for bringing us along...

[@Marcello1b]

Congratulations for your absolutely beautiful great Home School! Thanks for sharing! I wish you "the rest of your dreams!"😊 You own is so beautifully! I'm poly sure, many, many would have wished this accomplishment! Bless you all!

[@CoffeeWalksandWhatever]

Isn’t it exciting making all of these discoveries! We’re working on a little house that was built in 1908 in our hometown, and we found a bunch of mail behind a cabinet…including old calendars that were never opened, and then a hidden staircase! We’re enjoying following along on your journey.

[@lisawallace3124]

We moved to the area while you were in the middle of this and were tickled to find your videos on YT! SO happy that you are doing so much preservation and honoring of the old building while making it new and continuing to be useful. I believe that old buildings like this develop a "spirit" and this one must be overjoyed to have the laughter of children within her walls again!

[@douglasburch2320]

Continued progress!! Thanks for taking us along on your journey.

[@abigailgerlach5443]

The floors are lovely. Even the patching is marvelous. With the amount of brick wall you have, may I suggest a possible decorative item that looks really good against brick? My aunt also had numerous brick walls and she hung Native American woven rugs. It really adds lovely patterns and colors against the brick. Just a suggestion.

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

Oh that’s a great idea! The contrasting textures seem like they would work so well too

[@rebeccawhite6620]

The brick is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking!!! Thank you for preserving it and thank you for sharing your journey with us!❤️

[@gigih.2169]

The photos and articles are going to look so cool!

[@tkspring1855]

25 hours ago we just comp,eyed our own 1st floor home and kitchen remodel. 43 days , yes I know , only 43. Thank you for sharing this . What a beautiful project.

[@dennismoore8351]

I'm so glad you are saving this building. I nearly did the same thing in Wyandotte MI. It was a double four square. It was a beautiful building in com0lete original condition. The thing that stopped me was the train tracks 50 feet behind the school. The trains, for a hundred years, rumbling by caused the entire back wall of bricks to come loose. They were bowed out about two feet in the center and being held together by morter and prayers. The entire property had been blacktopped. All 2 acres of it. No grass at all. At the time, I had the funds to buy it, but not enough to restore it. I enjoy watching your journey.

[@sheilabundren2037]

I love exposed brick and original wood floors. Can't wait to see the progress. Thanks for sharing.

[@shannonlohr1565]

So glad you all are saving this school!!❤❤❤

[@donsmith7722]

It is just a beautiful labor of love. Wonderful transformation

[@barbaradw9969]

Thank you for Sharing your journey with us. I Love when someone does this type of work. I love the Character of Older homes much more than any thing New. Even if you build it to look like it’s old. The Quality is just not in the New Builds like it is from older homes. I also loved how you “saved” ALL the old doors that you could. I know that was a “labor of love”. I have refinished just a few pieces of wood furniture and each time I said “ who in their right mind” would ever paint such beautiful furniture ? I do understand the younger generation likes to do that. Not for me.

[@robinbliss6513]

Thank you for bringing us along on this amazing journey with you!

[@dupioni]

With regards to the newspaper images. I would suggest making a wallpaper in the 1970’s style of newspaper clippings of advertisements and headlines. It was a very popular paper during the 70’s representing the turn of the century. Just do a collage with the chosen images and have it digitally printed in a wallpaper format. Love your project!

[@shellydehart8217]

I feel I must give a compliment where its do. Your Mason who did all the work on the bricks is awesome. I’m loving it all. They look as if they did from the day they were put up. What a great idea putting up many photos of history of this awesome school/home it will be. Aww, if those walls n brick could talk the stories it could tell. I’m so excited for all of you, seeing that each step you’re taking to making this a happy n loving home. It’s gonna be grand. ♥️♥️😊👍👍👍🌟🌟

[@susannaCdonovan23]

I like brick too. I am always at a loss for words when people cover it up. This is definitely going very well and is an exciting project. Can't wait to see what you have in store and all the finishing work. 😊❤ My Mother's class pictures look very similar to the ones you found in your museum. She was born in 1923. My Dad in 1920.

[@DebbieNielsen-e3r]

It is so intriguing to watch it turn into a home …love it

[@lindadobberstein2035]

Looks very similar to the school I went to in the 1950’s’ It was torn down for a highway and they built a new school when I was in third grade! I’m 75 now and I so wish I could go back and see that school building! It had the lower basement windows where I had Kindergarten and first grade! I have group pictures that the teacher took for Kindergarten 1st and second grade! So many memories! I remember drinking from a fountain just like yours!

[@KarenClark-g9x]

so glad I found you and your restoration. It is wonderful.

[@kindaclassykindachola]

Amazing progress. Thanks for sharing.✨

[@lutgardedh]

Love the red bricks, they are so beautifull now, in Belgium we like very much bricks, now you have them in all colors, but my favorite rest the red ones ❤

[@lousylou]

Oh my gosh! A newspaper article wallpaper wall! Of all the clippings about the school! Just a hodgepodge of articles that tell all things that happened there!

[@onetoughmomma]

I absolutely admire all the love and hard work you all are putting into this piece of history. Can't wait to see how it all ends up.

[@ginak921]

Love the wooden floors, the exposed brick walls and the photos of the history of the school.

[@jodirauth8847]

Gosh you have enough ground your home to put in a full size basketball court and a above ground pool. (Above ground pools are better in your area, the farm land is very flat and the wind blows all the field debris into the unground pools. Most farmers out in the country in the midwest only use above ground pools) plus you will be able to put in a (fenced) vegetable garden(because of deer).

[@Peter-jo3wt]

It's amazing that the rebuild kits are still available for the fountain valve

[@maddieadams75]

Love the photos of the students and teachers. ❤

[@donnasmith2079]

I LOVE the brick walls.

[@juanrabago906]

I'm blown away how this home turned out! Words could never express how I enjoyed watching it transform.... incredibly beyond beautiful.... when I was in Highschool In California...it was named...San Benito Joint Union High School in Hollister, CA... since then the name is now Hollister High School. This home brought me memories from my old days..."joint union". Congratulations on your new home. ❤❤❤👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@tamarackmi9195]

The brick and wood floors are gorgeous❣️Thank you for sharing your restoration🥰

[@caroltanzi29]

WOW! You certainly have taken on a large renovation project. However, being an interior designer, I’m loving all the steps that have to be gone through to where you want to go. Most impressive! Carol from California

[@paulstevens8979]

Another great video! The brick work looks AMAZING and so cool that you're restoring & re-installing the original fountain. Looking forward to your next vid :)

[@DrunkenSmurf]

Loving this! The awesome work, compounded by the history. One small suggestion if I may - get a metal detector and go check out the old school yard. You might be surprised at the tiny treasures you find there, each one potentially with its own story.

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

We had a friend come once, but what I really want to find is a plaque the students had on one of the trees!

[@elrobo3568]

Two ways to refurbish the fountain, one is a light sanding with a very fine sandpaper, like a 800 grit then use a good car buffing compound to polish it to a shine and second tale it to a shop that powder coats things and have it white powder coated.

[@elizabethlarose3632]

The floors are stunning

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

ty!! So thankful we were able to save at least some!

[@TomLloyd-18]

@@Schoolhousehomestead are you planning to find 'vintage' lumber to match the style for the rest of the flooring? ?

[@Schoolhousehomestead]

We didn’t, it was just so cost prohibitive. We looked at reclaimed tobacco barn wood but it was so so expensive. And we have about 3k square feet to do. 😅

[@patriciamcintosh8799]

I live in British Columbia Canada and I love coming along with you 💞🇨🇦💞🇨🇦

[@davidbiddle3257]

I spray painted the bottom of my claw foot tubs, black, and antique silver on the feet, it was a magical transformation, and cheap-and still looks good after 40 years.

[@bettybert9819]

O!M!G! I canNOT wait to see the final results. You are doing a phenomenal job, and your professionals seem to be committed to the project too.🥂❤️