When we first found the property/homestead, we fell in love with this 1850s carriage house, but when the renovations of our home and garden continued (there are all the financial stresses that come with it), we were scared, “We have a project forever!” “OMG… we’re going to have a project… forever.” We can now say that we are on the other side of it, and are very excited to start this 1850s carriage house – slowly and in a DIY way (as much as possible). Last week I took you inside, so today I’ll show you the outside of the house. It looks like I first found in 2019 and now (2025, before pre-novation).
2019 – When we fall in love with property
We all love being naive and “this looks amazing.” But really, it had so many possibilities. I had completely forgotten the carport that was built (probably people could park there and walk under the covered aisle to the back door.
Here you can see how the two buildings connect. Amazing, it’s so different now. I kept most of the covered passageways (I forgot to consider the roofline of the passageway when I designed the windows, so I had to remove the “turn” and cut it out of the house.
As you can see, there was a very old white paint and green trim (all outbuildings had the same trim).
She was very cute. Classic lap siding, big picture windows, nasty second-floor windows near its roofline (you can only move the bathroom if you move the “street” upstairs). Is it strange that you love the charm of awkwardly arranged windows? The shed-style room on the right was added decades after it was probably built. It probably serves as a shed in the kitchen garden that lived inside the split rail fence.
Of course, she is in ruins and does not recommend that the contractor try to fix it unless he is an old house enthusiast like us. But I actually really loved the atmosphere.
Now in the summer of 2025
A few years ago we had a building painted white just to clean them (I think we paid $6K for the garage, this building and two barns – just the preparation work, no sanding/priming, lipstick on pig situations). That’s probably why you really don’t notice this house when they’re passing by? My friend was like, “Where is that house that was on your IG?” And I said,You literally passed it 100 times. ”
So let’s talk about the structure in detail. That big sliding door is on the train tracks and I think it’s original and very valuable. It’s certainly solid, so I don’t know what to do, but when it’s closed, a lot of air can pass through. I thought it was modified in my 30s or so, so I didn’t feel too guilty about putting in a regular entrance (or French door), but now I’m at odds. But that little bird house definitely stays (on the left).
It is a very basic and classic farmer. Lap siding is OK (after the test results occur next Thursday). The windows are made of wood, unstable and in relatively good condition. The roof looks good, but the inspection report offers more insight. I understand…check the siding below…
I don’t know what the front door is or where it should be. The door on the left (below) enters the old prophouse (small room), so it’s natural to see where this sliding door is. But it can just board and have the main entrance around the corner.
Let’s see how the roofline of the covered aisle penetrates into the home. That’s a pne problem I know I need to solve. Well, without water management (ditch), it would have all of that corner rot. Therefore, you may need to replace the siding and wood.
I don’t know why that pipe/warm water vent all the winding FYI fell, but I feel that’s right. From afar, the house looks pretty good!!!
We are now getting the basic quote (this is not the best form). But at least that small garden room has a cement foundation. Maybe there’s hope for that?
I think we might need to demolish the covered corridor, but my hope is the last post that is completely rotten and hanging from thread. This means that it doesn’t have to be in perfect condition. It doesn’t hold the second floor and no one sleeps under it.
That sweet little path goes to a gardening shed. This could only be the back of the house or the main entrance. Maybe the mudroom in this house???? Ah, that’s not a bad idea!!! For example, do you need other entrances? Or is it odd that you don’t have a kitchen door? (Yeah, that’s weird and very annoying as I’m thinking about it now).
I wish I had known more about the conditions I would like to share with you, but I will be posting my test report next week. My hope is that it is a massive repair, but the structure itself is in OK/storable condition. At this point, if it really doesn’t dig, we can still demo and walk away, but we really, really don’t want to do that. Go back next Thursday and find out 🙂
*Cute photos Caitlyn Green
Source: Emily Henderson – stylebyemilyhenderson.com
