Saturday, January 28, 2023

New Rooms for Old Homes / Great Book

This is another favorite coffee table book that is in my collection and is currently off the shelf and at hand. 
NEW ROOMS FOR OLD HOUSES
Beautiful Additions for the Traditional Home
by Frank Shirley

Published by THE TAUNTON PRESS
"Inspiration for Hands-On Living"
All of the books by this publisher are wonderful.


Back cover. Mine has the dustjacket. 
The hardcover binding is plain.
Retail $40. My used copy from local bookshop $15.
Gold Seal on front dustjacket from
NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
















I did not know the term "monitors", did you? Such an interesting architectural detail for raising the roof and getting more light into a room without adding a skylight.




The pleasing addition is on the far right. Note slight color change in roofing material.







Have a great weekend. By now you know how to order used books, right?
xo

More about Monitors and Cupolas. Unknown left a comment about a monitor barn in Shelburne, Vermont. I couldn't find it but found a 1903 barn in Richmond, Vermont that was moved and beautifully restored with the monitor spanning the entire roof ridge and a cupola too! It's fabulous as is the article by KNOBB HILL JOINERY Preserving New England's architectural legacy for future generations with photographs of the entire process.

Read the article and see the amazing photos HERE
The barn is home to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.
Isn't this barn beautiful? Everything old is new again.
xo




12 comments:

Content in a Cottage said...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE. Saturday post is up and running with the most photos ever. Enjoy. xo, Rosemary

Tasha T said...

Thank you for sharing your coffee table books, Rosemary. I haven't seen either of them so will keep an eye out as they look so gorgeous and have such a wealth of information and photos. My favourite gardening books are by Monty Don, and recently I bought 'Making a Garden' by Carol Klein. Both authors are experienced gardeners, delightful people who appear regularly on tv.

Mama Pea said...

No, I had never heard the term "monitor" used in that way either. I'm betting the "thick" door shown at the end of the staircase is a full length bookcase on the side we can't see. The rooms look as though you were the interior decorator, Rosemary. What a beautiful book to have in your collection.

Pam said...

I appreciate when home additions dovetail with the original structure. Although it must be challenging, these pictures just go to show that it is possible. This was the first I'd heard of monitors, also. It always makes me happy to learn something new. Thank you, Rosemary, for this post. Hope you're having a great weekend!

Content in a Cottage said...

Tasha T -- Having a good personal library is a wonderful thing as is the hunt for more books. Winter is the best time for reading gardening books and planning a garden. I hope your new book gives you some ideas for yours. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Mama Pea -- This book has a glossary too and monitor is listed. This architectural feature is designed to give light and/or ventilation to the interior. I chose photographs that appealed to my design sense and there are so many more. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

Pam, I enjoy learning new things as you know and now I must look for a house with a monitor on the roof ridge. This book won The National Trust award because the integrity of the old homes was maintained during renovations, no easy feat. xo, Rosemary

Unknown said...

Beautiful books. Yes, we have monitor barns in Vermont. One in Shelburne, Vermont, has been so beautifully restored that it has been put to use again, but as home for an organization. I believe it is home to the Corps of Youth Engineers who restored it and have worked on and continue to work on many of the State Parks in Vermont. It can be seen from the main highway and is a treat to spot while driving by. Monitor barns have the monitor going across the entire roof and therefore let in much light, earlier in time, without electricity of course. Lucky farmers and lucky cows!

Content in a Cottage said...

Unknown - Thank you. I posted a photo and links to the story about this monitor barn you mentioned at the end of this blog post. Turns out, it's in Richmond, Vermont and it's absolutely gorgeous and the article is so interesting with photos of the entire process of this 1903 structure that was moved and accurately restored to its former glory. xo, Rosemary

Content in a Cottage said...

UPDATE: Another photo and an article about a beautiful 1903 MONITOR BARN in Vermont has been added to this blog post. It's very inspiring. Enjoy. xo, Rosemary

Lisa D. said...

Beautiful images of old homes in this book. Thank you for sharing, Rosemary. BTW, I love reading interior design and gardening books. I'm addicted to anything related to interior design and garden design, but often times they seem to be a bit, well, should I say uppity? Does it sound judgemental for me to say uppity? Your posts are always so accessible. Thank you, as always, for sharing.

Content in a Cottage said...

Lisa D. -- Thanks for the compliment. You know I love sharing the things I come across on the internet or the things I own. I'm happy you enjoy them. xo, Rosemary