Homeowner Makes 'Unsettling' Find Under Old House's Floorboards

A couple embarking on a home renovation project in their 108-year-old American Foursquare house made an unexpected and intriguing discovery in their attic. The house, built in 1914, was purchased in probate, and the previous owners, who were hoarders, left behind an extensive collection of belongings. The couple, identified as Reddit user u/_planties and her husband, had to sift through over 3,000 square feet of items left in the house after the former owners’ family only requested a small tote of family photos. Amidst this vast collection, they uncovered a box filled with Victorian-era photographs, dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The initial excitement of finding such historical artifacts soon turned to a chilling realization as they examined the photographs more closely. The couple began to suspect that some of the individuals depicted in the photos might have been deceased when their portraits were taken. This theory stems from the Victorian-era practice of post-mortem photography, also known as “mourning tableaux.” This custom involved photographing the recently deceased in lifelike poses, often with their families or cherished possessions, and sometimes even applying color to their faces to simulate vitality. This practice allowed families to immortalize their loved ones and served as a form of remembrance during a time of high mortality rates. The Redditor shared her findings across various subreddits, including r/Antiques and r/OldSchoolCool, where the discovery quickly gained significant attention, accumulating hundreds of upvotes and comments. Other users expressed their fascination and a touch of envy, acknowledging the historical value and unique nature of the find. Many described the collection as an “incredible find” and “wonderful little pieces of history,” lamenting the common fate of such old photographs being sold off without context or appreciation. The couple has expressed their intention to celebrate these individuals rather than letting their images be forgotten or discarded. The identity of the people in the photographs remains a mystery, but u/_planties plans to connect with the grandson of the house's original builder to see if he can recognize anyone. Until the subjects can be identified, and potentially reunited with their descendants, the couple plans to honor them by displaying the photos within their renovated home. They envision creating a gallery wall along one of their two staircases, utilizing approximately 30 old frames they salvaged from the house during the initial clean-out. This thoughtful approach aims to preserve the legacy of these unknown individuals, ensuring their stories continue to resonate within the walls of the century-old house. #HomeRenovation #VictorianEra #AntiquePhotography #HistoricalFind #OldHouse #FamilyHistory #PostMortemPhotography #RedditDiscovery #HomeDecor

Mark and Jenny Ronsman, a couple from Wisconsin, US, purchased their home three and a half years ago with the understanding that a hidden hot tub lay beneath their home office. The previous elderly homeowner had disclosed the existence of the tub, which had been covered years prior due to disuse. She provided an old photograph showing the hot tub in use, but it did not fully reveal its design. The couple, both 39, initially lacked the time to restore it, but the recent lockdown provided an opportune moment to embark on the project. Upon moving in, their first step was to remove the carpet covering the hot tub. Mark expressed his surprise and joy at finding the tub in excellent condition, noting the beauty and depth of its tile work. The restoration process involved several key steps: chipping away the leveling material around the tub's edges, applying a new coat of sealant to the stone floors, meticulously whitening the grout, and thoroughly sanitizing the tub. To ensure safety, especially with a small child, they installed weather stripping on all doorways to seal the air and implemented a security system that triggers an alarm if the room is entered without deactivation, preventing unsupervised access to the tub. While the intention to restore the hot tub was always present, the lockdown significantly accelerated their efforts. Mark mentioned that they sought a second opinion from a hot tub professional and plan to replace at least one of the water pumps. This upgrade is primarily for energy efficiency, as the new pump is expected to pay for itself in less than a year due to reduced power consumption. They aim to complete this work as soon as possible. Mark, an IT systems engineer, and Jenny, a college professor, were chosen by the previous owner due to her desire for the house to go to a nice family. The close proximity of their in-laws, living just across the backyard, further endeared them to the former owner. The discovery and restoration of the hot tub have added a unique feature to their home, transforming a previously concealed space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing amenity, reminiscent in style of a Roman bath. #HomeRenovation #HotTub #HomeImprovement #HiddenFeatures #DIYProject #LockdownProject #HomeDesign #UnexpectedDiscovery #WisconsinHome

The Xchange Apartment in Kyoto, designed by architecture studio TANK, reimagines traditional Japanese craft techniques to transform a previously "drab" flat into a guesthouse for artists. Principal Naritake Fukumoto drew inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, to create a unique flooring aesthetic. For the living room, Fukumoto intentionally selected a type of cement flooring prone to cracking. Once the cracks naturally formed, a gold-colored epoxy resin was used to fill these imperfections, mirroring the kintsugi philosophy of celebrating the beauty in imperfection rather than concealing it. This innovative application transforms what might typically be seen as a flaw into a deliberate and artistic design element. Beyond the living area, the bathroom and kitchen floors, which are slightly elevated, feature another adaptation of a traditional Japanese craft: lacquerware. Instead of directly applying lacquer, the architect used a layer of fiber-reinforced plastic netting covered with transparent resin. This method creates a translucent yet visually complex texture, revealing the underlying glass-fiber layers over the wooden base. This technique not only achieves a distinctive aesthetic but also provides material strength and waterproofing, essential for these utility areas. The choice of materials and methods in these spaces reflects a conscious effort to integrate local traditions into contemporary interior design. The apartment's overall decor maintains a minimalist approach, featuring white walls and simple furnishings. Exposed concrete beams, subtly marked with paint stains, contribute to the raw, artistic ambiance. Practical design elements are also incorporated, such as a pair of mirrored doors that can be opened to form a private dressing area. Glass doors lead to a narrow balcony, offering residents picturesque views of the nearby Kiyomizu Temple and the surrounding five mountains, connecting the interior space with Kyoto's natural and cultural landscape. The design aims to create an intuitive and creative atmosphere, encouraging residents to explore both the apartment's unique features and the city outside. TANK, a Tokyo-based studio established in 2010, is known for its inventive architectural projects that often play with conventional elements and perceptions of space. Previous works include an apartment where carpet sections double as flip-flops and a home featuring floorboards on the ceiling, demonstrating a consistent innovative and unconventional design philosophy. The Xchange Apartment continues this tradition by integrating traditional Japanese repair and craft techniques into its modern design, highlighting the potential for contemporary spaces to draw depth and character from historical methods. The photography for the project was provided by Kenta Hasegawa, effectively capturing the apartment's distinctive details and overall aesthetic. The project team included Naritake Fukumoto as the architect, with construction handled by LOÖWE and TANK, emphasizing a collaborative approach to realizing this distinctive residential space. #KyotoApartment #KintsugiInspired #JapaneseCraft #ResinFlooring #MinimalistInterior #FiberReinforcedPlastic #GuesthouseDesign #TANKArchitects #TraditionalModernBlend

During a home renovation, TikToker and woodworker Connor Nijsse and his team discovered an unexpected and unusual form of insulation: stuffed animals. The find, documented in a two-part video series, quickly went viral, attracting over 4.6 million views within three days of its initial publication. The videos chronicle the moment Nijsse and his team, while demolishing a wall, stumbled upon what initially appeared to be a hidden stash of toys. As they proceeded with the wall's removal, it became clear that these stuffed animals were not merely concealed but were intentionally packed into the wall cavities, serving as makeshift insulation from floor to ceiling. The initial video shows the team’s surprise as they uncover the stuffed animals, realizing the extent of their presence. What was first thought to be a small collection turned out to be a substantial quantity. The subsequent video revealed that the team counted a total of 110 stuffed animals, all meticulously packed into plastic bags and placed within the wall. This discovery sparked widespread interest due to its bizarre nature and the unconventional use of children's toys as a building material. The article then delves into the fundamental importance of insulation in a home. Insulation is crucial for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, helping homes stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It acts as an essential barrier, supplementing the structural protection provided by walls and roofs, thereby preventing the loss of climate-controlled air. This thermal regulation is vital not only for the comfort of occupants but also for energy efficiency, leading to significant savings on heating and cooling costs. The blog post addresses the practicality of using stuffed animals for insulation. While traditional insulation materials are characterized by their light, fluffy, and porous properties, which allow them to trap air and provide thermal resistance, stuffed animals share some of these characteristics. However, the article strongly advises against using stuffed animals as insulation. It emphasizes that professionally manufactured insulation materials are specifically designed for safety and efficiency within a home’s walls. Recommended insulation types, readily available at building centers, include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, rigid foam, polyurethane spray foam, and pipe insulation. These materials are engineered to meet specific safety standards, including fire resistance, and to provide optimal thermal performance. Using non-standard materials like stuffed animals can pose significant risks, such as fire hazards, moisture accumulation, and inadequate thermal performance, which would undermine the purpose of insulation and potentially compromise the structural integrity and safety of the home. #HomeRenovation #UnusualFind #DIYHomeImprovement #Insulation #StuffedAnimals #HomeBuilding #TikTokViral

This article explores an abandoned circus-themed house nestled in New York's Catskill Mountains, captured through the lens of urban explorer and photographer Bryan Sansivero. The Jacobean Revival mansion, constructed in 1925, was left vacant by its Italian-American owners for unknown reasons. Despite several attempts to sell it, the property was mysteriously delisted in 2018. The exterior of the house reveals a landscape reclaimed by nature, with unkempt grounds and overgrown lawns contributing to a sense of foreboding. Inside, a canary-yellow entrance hall, despite peeling wallpaper, retains original features like hardwood floors and an elegant wrought iron banister. An open door leads to a cellar, hinting at unknown depths beneath the house. The parlor, also in Day-Glo canary yellow, features a grand carved fireplace, but its worn and buckling floorboards suggest damp issues. An ornate cast-iron grate in the hearth indicates the reliance on open fires during cold upstate New York winters. A dilapidated salmon-pink room, bathed in sunlight, holds an unsettling ambiance, with an open umbrella on the dusty floor, considered a bad omen by the superstitious. Heading upstairs, yellow wallpaper clings to the stairwell, alongside recessed alcoves and red crosses, potentially decorator marks or more ominous symbols. The bedrooms on the upper floor embrace a vibrant, kaleidoscope of primary colors, reflecting the home's circus theme. One child's room or playroom strongly resembles a big top, with yellow and purple harlequin borders and croquet mallets and balls scattered as if by a poltergeist. The big top tent design on the ceiling, originally in dramatic yellow and red, is now in significant disrepair. Another adjacent bedroom features a loud color scheme of tonal oranges, moss-green, and a sky-blue ceiling. The master bedroom, once grand, is decorated in powder blue with a royal blue border and a Regency-style fireplace. A French door from this room opens onto a terrace with an intact roof and decent brickwork, suggesting renovation potential. The small bathroom continues the circus theme with bold red and white striped wallpaper, creating a spooky atmosphere, though the washbasin remains intact. A second staircase leading to the top floor has a curious rope handrail and scattered croquet balls. The vast yellow bedroom on the top floor features worn carpet and striped curtains, with a crumbling ceiling. A bizarre discovery is a painting of a bullfighter by Spanish artist Antonio Casero Sanz in a closet. Keys for the property's numerous outbuildings are found on a windowsill, prompting questions about the owners' sudden departure. The sprawling estate includes at least five other buildings, some residential, others commercial in their prime. A rundown stone and wood cottage, though overgrown, appears ripe for renovation. Inside the cottage, a fading fresco of a fantastical landscape covers an entire wall, possibly restorable. A blackened fireplace, solid oak paneling, and grand built-in cupboards furnish the room, where an antique backgammon set sits on the floor, implying unfinished business. Overgrown vines outside hint at the property's past as a winery, a common industry in the region. The barn on the property was used for wine processing and storage, containing a tapped cask, demijohns, and even a demijohn with wine. Labels with a red stag and 'Deerhaunt Wine' suggest a small-scale family operation. Additionally, an abandoned child's treehouse with a slide and rickety swings adds to the eerie atmosphere, evoking a sense of lingering ghosts from the estate's heyday. The property, steeped in mystery, holds many unanswered questions regarding its abandonment. Once a playful space, it has transformed into a derelict, haunting shadow of its former self. #AbandonedHouse #UrbanExploration #CatskillMountains #CircusTheme #JacobeanRevival #HauntedProperty #ArchitecturalHistory #RenovationPotential #Mystery

This article delves into 14 vintage kitchen items that might be found in a grandparent's home and could be worth a significant amount of money. It highlights various categories, offering insights from interior designers on why these specific items are highly collectible and what makes them valuable. The first item discussed is Cabbageware China, known for its colorful and detailed ceramic designs. Majolica pieces from the 19th century and whimsical designs by Bordallo Pinheiro are noted for their collectibility, with Dodie Thayer's handmade cabbageware being particularly prized and commanding high prices at auctions. Another valuable item is Vintage Pyrex, especially mid-century patterns such as 'Butterprint,' 'Gooseberry,' and 'Pink Daisy.' Complete nesting bowl sets in excellent condition can range from $250 to $600, while rare Cinderella casserole dishes have sold for over $1,000, particularly those in turquoise, pink, or limited-run colors. Jadeite Glassware, characterized by its iconic green hue, is also highlighted. These mixing bowls, once a staple in Americana kitchens, can fetch hundreds of dollars if found in pristine condition, appealing to collectors who appreciate their cheerful and timeless aesthetic. Sterling Silver Flatware is another potential treasure. The value depends significantly on the brand, with names like Gorham, Wallace, and Towle commanding $800 to $8,000 or more for full sets, based on pattern and weight. Even individual mismatched pieces can sell for $30 to $80. Pancheons, wide and shallow earthenware mixing bowls, are identified as sculptural and practical items that serve as striking centerpieces, retaining value due to their rich glaze and gentle wear. Valencia Culver Glassware, recognized for its decorative quality, maintains popularity and value, especially full sets in mint condition. Vintage Linens, including hand-embroidered tea towels, aprons, and tablecloths, are also listed as valuable. Good condition pieces can sell for $20 to $100 each, with full or pristine sets fetching even higher prices due to their quality and appeal to stylists and collectors. Milk Glass, produced by companies like Fenton, Westmoreland, and Anchor Hocking in the late 19th and 20th centuries, is highly collectible, with hobnail vases, cake stands, and covered dishes in rare patterns and well-preserved sets selling above original prices. Copper Molds, used for baking and Jell-O, are considered decorative and practical, making them sought-after items. Jean Roger Frogs, whimsical ceramic frog planters, particularly mid-century Parisian pieces, are valued for their playful designs and artistry, attracting high prices at auctions and antique shops across various colors and sizes. Antique Dough Bowls, often hand-carved from a single piece of wood, are popular for their timeless appeal and ability to fit diverse design styles, from minimalist to farmhouse, adding an organic feel to kitchens. Cast Iron Cookware, specifically from brands like Wagner or Lodge made in the early 20th century, is deemed superior in cooking quality and valuable. Finally, Depression Glass, despite its inexpensive origins, is now a valuable collectible due to its historical significance and nostalgia, with rare patterns and colors surprising in their worth, and Crystal Stemware, especially full sets in good condition, can also hold considerable value, traditionally given as wedding gifts for entertaining purposes. #VintageKitchenware #AntiqueFinds #Collectibles #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #Pyrex #SterlingSilver #DepressionGlass

This blog post showcases a 1961 post-and-beam house located on Mount Washington, Los Angeles, designed by the late Sam Kiyotoki. The property exemplifies Southern California modernism, characterized by its structural integrity, consideration of climate, and aesthetic restraint. Over 65 years, the house has retained its original charm and design, offering a glimpse into mid-century architectural principles. The interior spans 1,731 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms spread across two levels. The upper level houses the living, dining, and kitchen areas, all beneath vaulted timber-beam ceilings. These spaces are designed with long bands of glazing that provide expansive views of the canyon and the distant San Gabriel Mountains, seamlessly integrating the indoor environment with the natural surroundings. A notable aspect of the interior is the preservation of original millwork and cabinetry, which serve to define different zones within the open-plan layout while maintaining clear lines of movement throughout the house. Material consistency is a key design element, reinforced by terracotta tiles at the entry, a gas fireplace, and strategically placed discreet skylights that draw natural light deep into the interior spaces. The lower level accommodates the bedrooms, including a primary suite that features original built-ins and cork wall detailing. The primary suite's bathroom is appointed with a soaking tub finished in glazed ceramic tile, further highlighting the period-appropriate design. Exterior features include a walled courtyard and a series of stepped terraces, which are shaded by a mature live oak tree. These outdoor spaces effectively extend the living area into the landscape, providing various vantage points to appreciate the property's natural setting. Situated on a double lot, the house maintains a strong connection to its Mount Washington context and the surrounding trail network. Despite its secluded feel, the property is conveniently located just four miles from downtown Los Angeles, offering a blend of natural tranquility and urban accessibility. The house is currently listed for $1.699 million with Reichling Pickard, appealing to buyers who appreciate historic architectural design and a connection to nature. This property represents a unique opportunity to own a meticulously preserved piece of Southern California modernist architecture, embodying a design philosophy where form and function are harmoniously balanced with the natural environment. #PostAndBeam #MidCenturyModernism #LosAngelesRealEstate #SamKiyotoki #MountWashington #ArchitecturalPreservation #SouthernCaliforniaModernism #HistoricHome #PropertyListing

A recent exterior renovation of a wood frame house located at 1278 Jefferson Avenue in Bushwick has sparked considerable debate and mixed reactions among Instagram users. The property, featuring bay windows, underwent significant changes implemented by its new owner. The modifications include the installation of 1970s-style stained-wood siding, single-pane windows, and stained glass transoms. Additionally, the brick on the first story of the house has been painted black. The original cornice was uncovered and subsequently restored, and a new decorative band was added directly below it. The previous exterior of the house featured vinyl siding, which covered the tops of the bay windows. The current renovation has replaced this with the new wood siding, adhering to a similar architectural line. One online commenter described the house's updated appearance as "metamodernist," reflecting the blend of traditional elements with a more contemporary, perhaps anachronistic, aesthetic. The photographer who initially documented these changes, known as houses_of_new_york, noted the effort to revert the building's exterior to wood, aligning with its original construction materials. However, the photographer also observed that the new wood siding replicated the shape and pattern of the old vinyl siding, leading to a "curious" result that deviates from a historically accurate restoration. Further observations indicate that a similar renovation project appears to be underway at the adjacent property, despite no public records showing a change of ownership for that particular house. Investigations into the new owner of 1278 Jefferson Avenue reveal their professional background in the fashion industry, which some might speculate influenced the design choices. The block on which the house is situated, between Wilson and Central avenues, is predominantly composed of wood-frame houses with bay windows. Historically, many of these structures have had their original exteriors concealed by vinyl siding or stucco over the years. To provide historical context, the Instagram photographer shared a 1930s tax photograph depicting a similar row of houses in Greenpoint. This image was intended to illustrate what the houses in question might have looked like in their original state, allowing viewers to compare the historical appearance with the recent renovations. A photograph from 2015, taken by Christopher Bride via PropertyShark, also shows the house prior to its recent "strange remodeling." The contrasting opinions underscore the complex discussions surrounding architectural preservation, modernization, and personal aesthetic preferences in historic neighborhoods. #Bushwick #WoodFrameHouse #ArchitecturalRenovation #ExteriorDesign #HistoricPreservation #PropertyRenovation #BayWindows #BrooklynRealEstate