I remember thinking that I wasn't getting much out of my history class at
Stamford High.  I suspect Jim being the practical sort skipped class entirely.
Sure has some curious understandings.  Can't believe this thing would cost less
than finding a real abandoned farm house and moving it to the site and restoring
it with a real carpenter...as opposed to a perfect one.

Without giving it a whole lot of thought, my impression is that except for the
Amish, 19th century farm houses would tend to be pretty small, maybe 1500sf.
Somebody needs to get Jim's attention and give him some insight.  I can spare a
2x4...full.

-jc

Ralph Walter wrote:

> In a message dated 1/5/2001 3:51:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> <<  We've seen modular mansions and modular condominiums in the area, but
> never before has a modular home metamorphosed into an 1800's farmhouse
> design.  But it's happening in the area now.
>
>  Jim Troy, a Stamford real estate agent, is building a replica of an 1800's
> farmhouse, comprised primarily of modular components from two custom modular
> manufacturing companies in the area.  " I wanted to take away the stigma from
> modular homes," Troy said.
> >>>>>>>>>>Better luck next time, Jim.<<<<<<<<<<
>
>  " I decided to offer the exact opposite of what people expect, and there's
> quite a demand for 1800s homes.  This may not be an original, but it's the
> second best thing
>
> >>>>>>>>>Does your ability to count stop at two, Jim?<<<<<<<<<<<
>
>  and has modern technology to boot."
>
> >>>>>>>>>Where's he booting the modern technology? Maybe he means
> "reboot?<<<<<<<<<
>
>  " I think that being able to show people a product will help them with the
> decision process, when they're looking at land," Troy said.
>
> >>>>>>>>>And he won't even need a sign saying "Don't try this at
> home."<<<<<<<<
>
>  The house has eight modular components, ranging from one that consisted of
> half of the family room with cathedral ceiling to another that hosted a large
> office with its own entrance.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Eight components, ranging from one to another, eh? How high can you
> count again, Jim?<<<<<<<<<
>
>  The four-bedroom house also will have a playroom and a utility area off the
> kitchen.
>
>  To give the more than 5000 sq. ft house that authentic 19th century look,
> Troy chose to include an assortment of features that speak of the past, many
> of which will be crafted on site.
>
>  The exterior siding will be clapboard, with the textured side out, enhanced
> by fishscale detailing.
>
> >>>>>>>>Those will be unique clapboards, indeed.<<<<<<<<<<
>
> And shutters in early American style will have an unusual appearance.  " When
> the original 1800s shutters were created, the fins were aimed downward to
> force water away from the windows during a storm," Troy said.  "When the fins
> are open, the shutters looks as if they were installed upside down."
>
> >>>>>>>>>They didn't know what they were doing back then, but as a 21st
> century realtor, Jim knows best.<<<<<<
>
>  There will be a porch with swings will be along the front of the house, and
> imported antique country-style double doors, with wrought-iron grills in
> front of the door's glass areas.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Must be a whole shitload of burglars up in Greenwich, if people are
> putting bars on their houses.<<<<<<<
>
>  Inside there will be a fireplace constructed of native stone, and wide plank
> flooring of pine.  Even the authentic nails of the time will be reproduced,
> and there will be traditional toilets, pedestal sinks and faucets. " That's
> as close as we can get without putting an outhouse in," Troy said.
>
> >>>>>>>>>I didn't realize that outhouse is a misnomer, since they evidently
> put them in, in the olden days. But will Jim's traditional fixtures be
> installed in or out?<<<<<<<<<<<
>  A company that replicates fixtures that were originally powered by gas but
> were later converted to electric will be supply the lighting fixtures.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Those reproduction electrifed colonial gasoliers will go great with
> the handwrought nails.<<<<<<<<<<<
>
>   Kitchen cabinetry of cherry will hark back an earlier era of simplicity
> >>>>>>>>>George Washington and all those guys had simple cherry cabinets in
> their kitchens.  And if you don't believe it, look at the
> Mel-Gibson-as-Revolutionary-War-pacifist-turned-patriot movie.<<<<<<<<<<<
> .
> , almost verging on the rustic.
> >>>>>>>>The almost verging on the rustic look is much better than fully
> verging on the rustic.<<<<<<<
>
>  The kitchen sink will be hammered copper in farmhouse style.  " The kitchen
> sink alone retails for over $ 4,600.00," Troy said.
>
> >>>>>>>>More than the entire 13 colonies' budgets, too.<<<<<<<<<
>
>  The hardware, from door knobs to hinges, will replicate 1800s style, and the
> painting and wallpapers will be in early American motifs.
>
> >>>>>>>That's quite a range of hardware, too. Fortunately, the 1800's lasted
> a long time and there was only one style, what with people being shorter and
> all.<<<<<<<
>
>  " We are working with a company that makes exact replicas of antique
> furnishings, and they are doing the entire first floor, including the oil
> paintings," Troy said.  "That way, everything can be reproduced again and
> sold to homeowners."
>
> >>>>>>>Don't you hate it when these technical guys won't name names?<<<<<<<<
>
>  Troy estimates that with modular construction, he would save 10 to 20
> present on the structure, plus months of saving on caring cost on the land.
> "The units were built in a factory in New York, where the temperatures do not
> fluctuate,
>
> >>>>>>>>Forget "Empire State" and "I love New York."  Now it's "New York,
> wjere the temperatures don't fluctuate."  Who needs ad agencies, with
> renaissance colonial realtors like our friend Jim?<<<<<<<<<<
>
>  the lighting is always perfect, and the weather has no bearing on the
> quality of the final produce," he said.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Too long for a good slogan. Sorry, Jim.<<<<<<<
>
>  "Modular homes are the wave of the future.  Some are just slower than others
> in riding the wave."
>
> >>>>>>>>Surf's up!<<<<<<<
>
>  Troy and his wife, Patricia, along with daughters Kaitlin, 6 and Tara, 2,
> will be moving in when the house is complete.  Two years from now, the house
> may be for sale.
>
> >>>>>>>>>Will he accept deposits now?<<<<<<<<<
>
>  Good luck preservationists!
>   >>
>
> >>>>>>>>>With good luck, there will be nothing to preserve in two years.<<<<<<
>
> Ralph