gables & posts

Charles had been sitting, idle, for so many years that most everyone has forgotten what it looked like originally! One neighbor recalls that it was once a “beautiful house” (we believe her), but so far most everyone just remembers the house as a bit of a hot mess sitting in a very visible location in Historic Deadwood. The preservation report confirms that the addition was added pre-world war, and notes indicate that at one time there was a front porch extending the full front of the house. Because of the original window placement, the likelihood of that being original is slim-to-none, and happily it had been removed at some point. Unfortunately, however, what was now existing was not only unattractive, but had fallen apart and needed to be removed. And we still had no idea what the original front porch looked like 😦

You don’t have to know much about anything to realize that the house needs almost everything and lacks curb appeal. Everything from the pale drab siding to the olive drab trim (painted over rotted woodwork, mind you) was just B L A H. The house is begging for some love, so in the first preservation plan, I requested that we add Victorian trim work and replace the porch. The Commission approved and I began shopping for my all-time favorite ball & stick fretwork, some decorative corbels and gingerbread trim. I scrolled through Pinterest for hours on Saturday mornings, piecing together favorites from this house, and that, and eventually my primitive cut & paste efforts revealed a much prettier Charles. But something was still not right. She needed a better front porch. So back to the Pinterest pages/drawing board we went.

One of my very best friends is not only an incredible artist, but just an all-around talent. He’s several years in to restoration of his own family home and received Old House Journal praise for https://www.oldhouseonline.com/house-tours/conical-roof/ his tedious reproduction of cedar shakes on his very own porch, so there was nobody better to ask for input about what Charles was missing. The answer? “A third gable.” Simple. Yep. That would draw the eye toward the door then upward, instead of making the view one of ducking under the roof. And upward naturally takes the eye to the original gable on top, then across to the canted corner gable. Brilliant! I took the amended plan to the Commission for approval, Dan got the building inspector’s OK and we were back in business. I was reassured that it was no small feat to build the gable and install it, with no help… only 1 man and 2 hands, but the outcome was great! So much better! But…

You guessed it. It was great. So much better. But it still was just not quite right. Charles was happier, but was letting me know that she wasn’t quite balanced. I 911-texted my BFF again and we agreed. I was going to have to build up my courage and ask Dan for a slight addition. Now, to be clear, this WAS NOT a “change order”… nothing significant structurally. Just a simple addition that was going to bring it all together. Balance. Symmetry. A third post. I decided to do it as I presented him with his favorite, cold Busch Light in his ratty old koozie cup (strategic on my part, not bribery, but incentive). For confirmation, I received this drawing. BINGO! That was the solution.

So, in the end we agreed and with equal talent and expert craftsmanship, Dan installed the third porch post. We joke that I only pay him for his labor. He is right. I could not afford his skill. I’m pretty fortunate to have such talented men in my life. So is Charles. And our porch is now much more than great. It is fantastic. And once the ball & stick goes up, and more painting is finished, she’s going to be the best dressed home on the creek.

We’re making progress! With the front foundation secure, trim boards replaced, a fresh polychrome paint scheme underway (I’ve chosen Watusi, Sooty Lashes & Unleash the Hounds- all appropriate for an era of bustling energy of creating Deadwood, the oldest profession of prostitution and the wild west) and our beautiful new tri-gable/tri-post theme, Charles is settling in nicely amongst the changing fall colors of Whitewood Creek on the hillside in glorious Deadwood.