Greetings!
It's been another busy year
for us at Landmark Services! I want to thank all of our current and past clients,
as well as the professionals with whom we've had the pleasure of working.
From time to time I'll be posting some tips on old house renovations and
also letting you know
what we're working on.
I hope that you enjoy
this first issue of our newsletter.
Sincerely,
Mark Landry |
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Upcoming Talks
Mark will be speaking at the Walpole Historical Society
on September 11, 2007 at 7:30pm. The talk is entitled "Artful Updates; renovating and enlarging your historic home while maintaining its
character". All are welcome.
Mark will also be speaking at the Build Boston show, in mid-November.
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Introducing CORA
Mark Landry has recently become the new coordinator of the Boston chapter of CORA- the Congress of Residential Architecture.
This is a relatively new group focussed on increasing the dialogue between architects, contractors, realtors, homeowners, and others interested in improving residential architecture.
Mark is work
ing with architect Jeremiah Eck and consultant Bruce Irving to plan a series of seminars at next spring's Residential Design and Construction show in Boston.
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Fall in New England
Like many folks, Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp air and vibrant colors.
It's a great time of year for bike rides on the back roads of small town New England.
It's also the time when we start getting ready for the snow and cold that are sure to come. There are a lot of checklists for getting homes ready for winter. Old houses, however, have particular needs. So do the basics that any home needs (drain the sprinkler system, clean the gutters, check the smoke detectors, drain the lawnmower gas tank, etc) but also consider some
Chimneys and fireplaces: Before you build any fires this winter, make sure that your chimney is safe. Is there a buildup of creosote? Are there cracks that could leak combustion gases into the house? There are several excellent flue lining systems. that will make your chimney safer. Video inspection is the best way to check for trouble. Contact me for more information on chimney inspections.
Crawl Spaces: Crawl spaces pose a host of potential problems. Dirt floors pass a lot of mositure into the air which condenses on cool surfaces and can lead to mold growth. Gaps in rubble stone foundation allow cold drafts in, which often cause frozen pipes. Consider installing a vapor barrier on the ground and pouring a concrete slab. The best way to insulate crawl spaces is to have expanding foam insulation (such as Icynene) sprayed against the interior of the foundation. This will prevent drafts, keep critters out, and make the room above more comfortable.
Roof and gutters: Now is the time to check for any missing roof shingles, deteriorated flashing, sagging gutters, and disconnected downspouts. Old houses with stone foundations need a reliable system to move the water away from the house to prevent wet basements.
We would be happy to answer your questions or to help with these or any other tasks to help get your house ready for winter!
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We're working with Nashawtuc Architects
on a large renovation/additionActon. The
project will include a new Family Room, Kitchen,
and Master Suite. We broke ground in July and
expect to have the project nearly complete by Christmas. |
We're also working with Frank Shirley Architects on an addition to a Cape near Newton Corner. This project will add a Family room, Master Suite, another Bedroom, and a Garage. Frank has designed a seamless addition to this nice house. |
 We're just wrapping up a period kitchen renovation in an early 18th century home in Marshfield. The project features custom designed cabinetry built in
our own shop, soapstone sinks and counters, new wide pine floors, as well as updated mechanical systems. Our cabinet shop is always interested in doing new kitchens in old homes!
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One of our crews is busy converting an attached carriage house into a Master Suite in an early 18th century house in Westboro. We have designed the project to keep most of the old timber frame exposed. Despite the renovation, the exterior appearance will not change significantly.
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We are nearly finished a Greek Revival renovation in Cambridge on a house that used to be owned by the 19th century transcendentalist Margaret Fuller. This was a top to bottom project, involving all new mechanical systems, new bathrooms, flooring, cabinetry, etc. |
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And, finally, we've had the pleasure to rebuild an early 20th century brick garage just outside of Harvard Square. Working with Bruce Irving , the homeowners consultant, and Smart Architecture we have rebuilt this once-deteriorated structure so that it once again proudly contributes to the neighborhood.
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