This past summer saw the completion of the most ambitious of
the upgrades: the repair and replacement of the wooden timbers and
stucco around the exterior of the house. While some areas only needed
repair, the stucco on the entire front of the house was removed
and replaced.
Stucco replacement, especially using the traditional multi-part
method, including period-style texturing, is one of those rare trades
that is in high demand in Shaker Heights but very few other places in
Northeast Ohio. Fortunately, the list of specialized contractors kept by
the Landmark Commission includes the contractor the Henrys used,
Jurrus Plaster and Stucco, operated by the third generation of this
family-owned business.
Leaded glass windows also fall into the rare-trade category, and,
perhaps more than any other feature distinguish many Shaker Heights
homes, including the Demonstration Homes. While any number
of window replacement companies would be happy to put in new
windows, all homes in Shaker Heights need Architectural Board of
Review approval for window replacements. Those on the Landmark
Properties list are strongly encouraged to repair existing windows,
which often is less expensive than replacement and keeps the historic
look and feel.
The Henrys contracted with Northern Lights, a stained and leaded
glass studio in Solon, to repair the windows and to add interior storm
windows. The interior storms have a very small frame and only need
one side affixed to the window frame. Approvals are not needed for
this quick and easy upgrade, and they reduce drafts, deaden sound,
and are easy to remove for cleaning. They also maintain the exterior
look of leaded glass, especially the slight variations in reflections that
are a hallmark of the diamond-shaped panes.
The home has striking ornamental plaster mouldings, especially
in the living room and study. Fortunately, these remain largely
intact. Plaster mouldings are one of the distinguishing features of a
Bloodgood Tuttle interior, and in some houses hand-carved decorations
are sculpted directly into the textured plaster. Many Shaker Heights
homes have this ornamental moulding, although many homeowners
aren’t aware that it’s plaster, and it’s often covered in layers of paint.
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