True Tales From Old Houses
History
About
True Tales From Old Houses is a light-hearted, entertaining, and educational show for lovers of old houses and buildings, DIYers, history buffs, and restoration and preservation junkies.Available weekly, hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter share personal project updates, listener Q&A, and interviews with engaging old house owners, restoration professionals, and craftspeople.
Episodes
- 186: Preservation Month & A Bungalow Story
In this week's episode, Stacy kicks off Historic Preservation Month by revisiting the State of Restoration voicemail project, sharing updates from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Then, she chats with Emma Shay about her 1924 Craftsman bung…
- 185: Hot Rooms & Higher Standards
In this week's episode, Stacy shares a few updates from Blake Hill House and finally settles the Minisode name question. Then, she works through a listener question using the Good, Better, Best format, tackling a common old house challenge…
- 184: A Grand Hotel in the Middle of Nowhere (Sun Valley Lodge)
This week's field trip episode started with a question Stacy couldn't shake: Why is there a beautiful historic hotel in the middle of nowhere, Idaho? The Sun Valley Lodge isn't just any hotel. It's a grand, carefully designed resort surrou…
- 183: Spring at Blake Hill House
In this week's episode, Stacy shares a mid-season update, tying up a few loose ends, and sharing what's coming up at Blake Hill House, including this summer's window restoration workshops. She also walks through her outdoor spring to-do li…
- 182: Deal-breakers & Old House Life
In this episode, Stacy explores the deal-breakers that shape how people approach buying an old house and how those decisions shift depending on life stage. She also chats with Michelle Bowers of Old House Life, who has watched that play ou…
- 181: From Grange Halls to Sprung Floors
In this minisode, Stacy and guest co-host Steve Jordan follow a road-trip-inspired rabbit hole that starts with the Grange and leads to dancing—and the ingenious floors, dating back to the 18th century, that made it possible. They talk abo…
- 180: Lead Laws and the Ripple Effect
In this episode, Stacy looks at why some of the most iconic Gilded Age mansions in Newport were nearly lost, and how that story connects to what's happening right now with lead safety laws and historic windows in Rhode Island. If you think…
- 179: Tool Talk: Infrared Paint Removers
In this episode, Stacy brings in Scott Sidler as a guest co-host for some old house shop talk. They discuss the realities of preservation funding and infrared paint removers. Stacy begins with updates from the new State of Restoration proj…
- 178: Wait. That's Historic?
Wait...that's historic? Stacy digs into the 50-year rule, talks mid-century restoration with Sarah from 1957 House Down South, and visits the Kohler museum to see those famous vintage bathroom colors in person. Wait. That's historic? At so…
- 177: No Magic Fix for an Old House Roof
Winter hits the roof again, and there's still no magic fix. In this episode, Stacy unpacks ice dams, insulation trade-offs, a significant DIY mistake, and what this season clarified about planning for the long term. Plus: a State of Restor…
- 176: Restoration in Real Time
Just after Stacy announces she is keeping Blake Hill House, winter responds in a very expensive way. She shares the latest twist in her restoration journey before welcoming Jessica Rhodes to discuss restoring an Italianate home in the publ…
- 175: Blake Hill House - THE Update
For years, you've followed Blake Hill House. In this episode, Stacy shares what's really been happening behind the scenes and how 2025 changed everything. It was a year of pressure, progress, second-guessing, and more than a few moments th…
- 174: Ghost Stories & Goodbyes
In Daniel's final episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel wrap up past conversations, discuss how years of ghost stories have changed them, and share three new paranormal stories from historic homes. Episode 174 marks the…
- 173: Some Ghosts are Deal Breakers
After an extended hiatus, Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter return to True Tales From Old Houses to kick off Season 13 with personal updates, a major announcement from Daniel, and two ghost stories to celebrate a belated version of spook…
- Hiatus Update: True Tales Returns in February 2026
A quick announcement from Stacy: Season 13 kicks off in February! Listen in to hear why the show is extending its hiatus and how you can connect with True Tales From Old Houses in the meantime.
- 172: To the Shire Born - DIY on a Grand Scale
In this season finale of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel look back on standout moments from Season 12, answer a listener question about bathroom ventilation, and reflect on what's next for the show. Then, Kathryn Holloway joi…
- 171: Trains, Tools, and Tidy Gardens
In this final minisode of the season (Don't worry; there's still one more full episode on the way!), Stacy returns from Japan with tales of train travel, city-hopping, and family time. Each region had its own personality, and seeing the co…
- 170: Poplar Grove's Past and Promise
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel answer a listener's question about what to do with an unused chimney. Should it stay or should it go? They weigh the pros and cons, sharing stories from their own restoration…
- 169: A Real Pane in the Glass
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Daniel and Stacy share updates from their latest old house projects, including a listener-favorite topic: linseed oil paint. Then, Stacy tells the story of a stubborn window repair that prove…
- 168: The Case for Historic Windows | Scott Sidler & Stacy Grinsfelder
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel answer a listener's question about original basement windows—save them or start fresh? They weigh the pros and cons of restoration versus replacement, and why there's often w…
- 167: Progress, Priorities, and Other Wins
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Daniel and Stacy start by revisiting their favorite takeaways from the Lustron House interview, including why metal walls are both brilliant and bonkers, in the very best way. Then, Stacy div…
- 166: Lustron House Love
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy and Daniel tackle a relatable question: What's the deal with tiny closets in old houses, and how can homeowners maximize storage? They offer tips, commiseration, and a few creative worka…
- 165: Two Deadlines and a Baby
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Daniel dives into the deeply satisfying experience of helping friends prepare their home for a new baby. Left unsupervised while his friends were at the hospital, Daniel organized the house w…
- 164: Demystifying Linseed Paint (Again!)
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Michiel Brouns of Brouns & Co. sets the record straight on linseed oil paint. From its surprising shelf life to why "thin to win" is the golden rule, Michiel unpacks everything you thought you…
- 163: The Weight of Goodbye and What Comes Next
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy opens up about two major goodbyes, one expected, one not. After losing her sweet dog Millie, a constant companion through every renovation and recording, she shares what it's been like t…
- 162: From Spreadsheets to Bed Sheets - An Innkeeper's Tale
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy and Daniel share spring updates, answer a fireplace Q&A, and chat with new innkeeper Rod Whale about embracing history, Acadian heritage, and the adventure of old house ownership at one…
- 161: Help! We Can't Stop Talking About Frank Lloyd Wright
Will Stacy and Daniel ever stop talking about Frank Lloyd Wright? Yes, but not this week! In this episode, Stacy and Daniel catch up after the Window Preservation Alliance conference and wade into the world of Usonian architecture through…
- 160: Wright in the Desert Part II - Taliesin West
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel return to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter hideaway and experimental desert lab in the Arizona desert. They swap stories from their trip, including nighttime escapa…
- 159: Wright in the Desert - Taliesin West
Ever wondered what it's like to spend the night at Frank Lloyd Wright's desert hideaway? This week, Stacy and Daniel are on location at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. They share stories from their stay in the historic apprentice apa…
- 158: The Descendant's Project + Enon Hall
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , host Stacy Grinsfelder highlights the powerful work of the Descendants Project, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the heritage and environment of the Black descendant community in Louisiana…
- 157: Balancing Modern Style with Old House Soul
How do you blend modern style with the soul of an old house? Can contemporary design coexist with historic charm without feeling out of place? In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel chat with designer Amy Ilias to…
- 156: The Never-Ending Staircase Project
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter celebrate a long-awaited victory as Stacy finally crosses the finish line on the never-ending staircase project. After six years of stops and starts, she r…
- 155: Built Different - The Printmaker's Inn
What happens when disaster strikes a historic building? And how do you even begin to move an entire house to a new state? In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel explore the incredible efforts people make to save h…
- 154: Basements, Balusters, and a Trip to Taliesin West
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter are back with fresh updates, big plans, and a tangent or two. First, Daniel gives an update on his ongoing duplex renovation, including the latest challeng…
- 153: Crafting Timeless Homes with Brent Hull
In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses , Contractor and preservationist Brent Hull joins hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter to talk craftsmanship, good design, and why historic homes deserve better. Plus, learn how psychic re…
- 152: Architectural Goofs and the Great Modillion Mix-Up
Stacy and Daniel kick off Season 12 with old house updates, product tips, and a lively conversation on preserving historical materials. In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses , Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter are back and ready…
- 151: Spooky Stories From Old Houses Part II
In this special October episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel return with Part II of their spooky stories compilation. Following the eerie encounters shared in Part I, this episode brings even more spine-tingling yet lig…
- 150: Spooky Stories From Old Houses Part I
It's spooky season! In this special October episode of True Tales From Old Houses , hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter take a break from their usual discussions of old house restoration and DIY to share spine-tingling, light-hearted…
- 149: A Brush with the Law and Other Misadventures
In today's minisode, the final episode of Season 11, Stacy and Daniel wrap things up with a lively discussion about their renovation adventures, funny experiences, and plans for the upcoming ghost story episodes, arriving in October! First…
- 148: Christopher Brandt - Architect by Day, Preservation Hero by Night
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy and Daniel discuss practical solutions for damaged wood floors in a folk Victorian farmhouse and chat with preservation architect Christopher Brandt. First, Stacy and Daniel offer some…
- 147: Stacy's Utah Quest and Daniel's Big Build
In today's minisode, Stacy offers an update on her house search in Utah. She and Daniel discuss their current real estate situations and future plans. First, They begin by declaring their love for track shelving. They also recommend the po…
- 146: Kitchen Quirks and Detroit Duplex Dreams
In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses , Stacy is wrapping things up at Silver Lake and getting ready for a new sleeping porch project. Meanwhile, Daniel is busy turning a dining room closet into a masterpiece—because even closets d…
- 145: Sleeping Porch Problems + Michigan Magic
In this conversation, Stacy and Daniel discuss their ongoing renovation projects. First, Daniel talks about his plans to use beadboard in the guest room and the challenges of storing salvage materials. Then, Stacy shares her experience ren…
- 144: Don't Rush the Rehab - Kate Wood Knows What's Worth Preserving
This week's episode begins with the big announcement that Daniel is no longer the owner of Bluestone Cottage. The sale has been finalized. Then, Stacy and Daniel answer a listener question about career paths in historic preservation that d…
- 143: Mystical Misreads + New Project Plans
In this episode, Stacy and Daniel discuss Daniel's recent visit to Lilydale, a spiritualist community in Western New York, and they go over some new project plans. First, Stacy offers a follow-up on the ivy discussion from episode #140. A…
- 142: Choosing Relaxation over Renovation in France + Plumbing Materials Advice
This week's episode begins with a quick cottage update from Daniel, including his plans to sell the leftover staging furniture and decor. Then, Stacy and Daniel answer a listener question about the best materials for repiping a house. They…
- 141: Unexpected Basement Floods and Weather Emergencies
In this episode, Stacy and Daniel revisit some previous conversations and swap stories about unexpected basement floods and a wild weather emergency. First, Daniel offers an update about a special Kingston City Land Bank house and shares a…
- 140: Behind the Scenes at Taliesin West + The Impact of Ivy on Old Houses
This week's episode begins with a book giveaway reminder and quick project updates from Stacy and Daniel. Then, during Listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel address the impact of ivy on old houses. They discuss the different types of ivy and thei…
- 139: Minisode - Navigating Home Projects & Real Estate Woes
In this episode, Stacy explains how she is lightening her DIY load, and Daniel describes a frustrating week. The conversation highlights the low-key crazy of hyper-local Facebook groups, navigating real estate contracts, dealing with contr…
- 138: Woodward Throwbacks - Pioneering a Fresh Approach to Adaptive Reuse + Modern Linoleum Options
This week's episode begins with several book giveaway announcements and quick project updates from Stacy and Daniel. Then, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss traditional and modern linoleum flooring options. They touch on the hi…