Saving an Abandoned Victorian Home. Hello. This is our mostly funny - VERY REAL - journey of renovating our 110+ yr old abandoned Victorian Home. We are Jim Lindsay, a married couple from Alaska who moved to Syracuse in 2020 and bought an abandoned Victorian Land Bank home. We call her The Grand Lady as she sits on a corner lot with quite a presence. The goal is to restore as much as we can but ALSO upgrade her to be environmentally green, energy efficient and healthy so she can be a good home for another century! Jim and I like to learn and do things ourselves so there are plenty of DIYs in store. We hope you enjoy watching us cope with this gigantic, and at times overwhelming, project with humor and humility. We feel honored to keep this neglected beauty from being torn down.
It’s controversial, keeping windows and hardware original or not. But when you’re on a budget, certain decisions must be made. Something, too, that struck me at one point, is that when the historic homes were modern, they were doing cutting edge and modern things with style. So to alter certain things that may even improve the quality makes sense. I did that with a Mid Century Modern era curio cabinet. Polished up the metal even better, added mirrors and GLASS shelves to replace the rather cheap thin wooden ones it came with. All non-destructively. Like the windows. These are all things that can be altered without hurting truly integral things. The window shapes are still authentic. The woodwork is still present in the doors and trimmings. That the house and super important things are being preserved and made livable and loved is the most important thing and what an incredible job you’re doing amidst all the complications and headaches.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind post. There are people who have very strict ideas about preserving old houses. I think there is certainly a place for restoration, if you find joy in that then go for it. I am more on the side of keeping what suits you and making your home your own personal space. We enjoy restoring the charm and saving energy using technology - as incognito as possible. Everyone deserves the freedom to make their own home a personal space.
I'd suggest going full opaque glass instead of half half. You'll still get the same amount of light. I'd also suggest looking for some glass with a more vintage pattern. Eg frosted with an etched border would look really pretty. You might even find a really soft coloured glass that could look really pretty
Love the Eastlake hardware. I wonder if Anderson windows wouldn't want to assist you since it is an old victorian home. They should just because you guys have good taste. Glad to see you guys! Laughed at all the "Yups. Dudes!
Yay you're back. Yay Randy is back. I had forgotten how much I liked watching Randy and Jim go all building nerd. I have no idea what they are saying but the look of their faces is worth it. It's also wonderful you're back Lyndsey. Love your humour
Light! Wonderful, wonderful LIGHT!! It’s incredible what just ONE window will do to a space. Like. What a feat! Even if it’s just the mock-up at this point. And it’s awesome learning all the terms…and right there along with yeh! Like. I’ve seen other restoration channels put in classic windows and have learned a lot. But. I’ve learned SO much more though this video. Things I didn’t know before. We do need an American Restoration Systematic Universe the way they do in Europe. But a lot of those chateaux and castles are farther along than the U.S. restoration projects showcased here on RU-vid. So. We’re getting there…. One window at a time. Also. That jazzy carpentry moment was giving vibes. No cap.
So very happy to see you guys…it’s been a minute. Hoping all is well with you. Also hoping we’re blessed with more of your awesome updates on the house. 😊😊
Lyndsey you have a gitt of editing making us smile and a great sense of humour, lovely to see you both again, keep going forward, never look back, your exactly where your supposed to be right now. xx
I to was disappointed that I couldn't afford full wood window replacements. I had to be reasonable and accept my house didn't really warrant the expense of double pane wood windows. I even spoke with a company that does historic window replacements Did you ever get a PO box? I tried sending you both a letter but it came back. At least it did that with our us mail these days 😮
Those coveted all wood windows...sigh. I suppose of all of the compromises I've had to make in life this is not that bad.... I mean, i still have the beautiful house! I haven't set up a PO Box yet. Apologies.
Its going to look so much different when the windows go in ! I hope your able to save some of the old wavy glass panes for future use or even to sell. People love it !
That is Atticus! We adopted him from a Texas shelter through Helping Hounds a little while after we rescued Grandy, our cat.(We named Grandy after The Grand Lady)
Love your editing! Your humor balances the technical aspects of the project at hand. Although the windows are not what you had hoped for, the compromise style sounds like a winner. 💖💖
Yes!! Sorry for any confusion. The first one had multiple weird glitches so I took it down - after a few people watched - it glitches and all. Thank you for that!!
I’ve never been to Alaska. Looks like an amazing place to live. Is Jim on a green screen at the end of the video? There are some digital artifacts around his head.
It is an amazing place to live! But, also challenging. No, not a green screen behind Jim, just a video editing glitch so his arm wasn't covered from the "We heart The Grand Lady" I put over our door to hide friends names - for their privacy. We painted the door with blackboard paint and write fun messages to friends coming over or for people stopping by to write on.
Welcome back you two, you have been missed. Love your quirky sense of humor and your beautiful smile Lindsey. I grew up in Seattle, too. I’m with Jim, I’d rather not do anything in the rain.☔️ But………here I am in Brittany, France where it’s just as rainy as Seattle. Secretly I must love the rain, no, it just feels like home. Take care Lindsey, we are all looking forward to new adventures at the Grand Lady.
What a cool place! I love your shower tiles. And those floors are amazing. I’m sorry about the drain problem. As usual you two worked your way through it…and were victorious! So nice to see you relaxing and laughing in such a beautiful place. ❤❤
What a cool place! I love your shower tiles. And those floors are amazing. I’m sorry about the drain problem. As usual you two worked your way through it…and were victorious! So nice to see you relaxing and laughing in such a beautiful place. ❤❤
