Hey, folks! Sorry it’s been awhile since our last chat. Progress is pretty much at a standstill at 10 Sutherland Avenue with not a lot to report. We are waiting on the final piece of the puzzle, the okay from the BAR, and then we will be off to the races!

In the meantime, I thought it would be a good to share what information I have concerning the history of the house. Kevin Eberle, resident and historian of Hampton Park Terrace, graciously provided me with the information he has gathered as it pertains to the property. Continue reading →

As the late Paul Harvey used to say, “And now folks, the rest of the story.”

If you haven’t had a chance to read last week’s blog, we made a mysterious discovery underneath the house as the demolition continued. As the last post ended, I had no idea what the purpose of the structure might be, but promised to find out.

Well folks, it is not a pizza oven. 🙂  According to our contractor, Marc Engelke, in the 1800’s fireplaces were built with screens or grates in the bottom. When the screens were removed or lifted the ashes from the fire would fall below to be removed at a later time. In the early 1900s the construction of fireplaces was changed to have the opening for the ash removal in the back as to make the cleaning easier. Continue reading →

Hey folks! I hope that all is well with our followers since the last post. The Ellsworths have been busier than a mosquito at a nudist colony this week! 🙂  Between our business, Carolina Coaster Company and our home reno, there hasn’t seemed to be enough hours in a day. But guess what? We wouldn’t have it any other way!

As you can see from the picture above, Sutherly’s  (that’s her name you know) full body makeover continues. If you haven’t already, take a closer look at the photo above. What in the heck is that under the fireplace? I have no idea. You can be certain that I will find out. Continue reading →

It seems everywhere I go these days I run into someone who tells me they are reading my blog. Gee thanks, guys! That really means a lot to me. I hope I can keep you interested.

We are at quite a standstill at 10 Sutherland this week. The demolition crew has finished as much as they can to this point and we are waiting to hear from the engineer.

As you can see from the plans below, we are removing several walls from the first floor. The engineer has to calculate what support we need and where it should be placed to support the second floor. No one needs a bathtub in the kitchen, right? Continue reading →

In my last blog  I chose Stevie Wonder’s hit, “Isn’t She Lovely” as the title/theme song for the week. As I pondered this week’s topic the Lynyard Skynyard song “That Smell” kept popping into my mind. Okay folks, this ain’t too pretty a subject but the facts are Sutherly had a bit of an odor problem when we first met. If you had the opportunity for a tour during that period I am sure you are thinking… that is a bit of an understatement.

As happens sometimes when a house sets vacant, animals of all kinds seek shelter from the storm inside and who could blame them, right? Unfortunately none of them were potty trained. I think I’ll just leave it at that. No more needs to be said. Continue reading →

“Thank you” to all who signed up for “Simply Sutherland – The Rebirth of a Charleston Home” this past week. My goal is to post updates at least once per week to keep you abreast of all that is happening with the renovation. Since today  marks one week since our maiden voyage, I guess I better get busy.

This past week has been “demo week” just like on HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Only without Chip Gaines. I am beginning to think that we may have a couple of versions of our own “Chip” with the crew from Engelke Homes I will spare you the photograph, but last week as we entered the house someone had placed a petrified rat on the newel post of the stairs! The home was built in 1913. My bet is he was around for most of those years. Our grandchildren got a big kick out of that one.  🙂 I digress… Continue reading →