Restoring Old Houses
Reference Crafts & Hobbies Illustrated Guide Architecture Australian Heritage DIY Renovation Historic Preservation
Restoring Old Houses by Australian heritage expert Ian Evans is the go-to manual for anyone who dreams of rescuing a weatherboard cottage, brick Federation villa or rustic homestead without losing its soul. Written in plain English and packed with hundreds of step-by-step photos, line drawings and “before & after” shots, the book walks you through every stage—from reading 1890s floor plans and matching period mortar mixes to replacing rotten sash cords and sourcing authentic ironmongery. Evans explains why Aussie houses behave differently to European or North American stock, how to work with local hardwoods, and what modern products are safe to use alongside 100-year-old timbers.
What makes this title stand out is its uniquely Australian focus. Instead of generic overseas advice, you get region-specific guidance on identifying Queenslander, Victorian terrace, Californian bungalow and Federation Queen-Anne details, plus contacts for heritage councils in every state. Safety checklists help you deal with asbestos, lead paint and termites, while budget tables show where to splurge (hand-made Marseilles-pattern tiles) and where to save (re-machining existing joinery). The result is a practical roadmap that keeps renovation costs realistic while protecting the architectural story of your street.
Collectors and tradespeople prize early printings like this one because later editions were condensed and lost many of the rare archival images. The copy offered here is clean, tight and unmarked—no scribbled measurements, no stuck pages, no dog-eared corners—so the illustrations remain crisp for on-site reference. Light foxing to the first leaf is typical for Australian paper of the era and does not invade the text block, making this a sturdy working copy that can ride in the ute or sit proudly on the shelf beside your tape measure and paint charts.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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