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The wooden components of historical homes are often the most elegant, and the most vulnerable. These wooden components like crown molding, baseboards, window and door casings, and more are called historic millwork, and if you own a historic home or a historic building, then you know how important it is to maintain these pieces.  

If you own a historic home, then you already know they require a little more maintenance and care than other houses. All that character and craftsmanship means you as a homeowner must be more vigilant to potential issues and aging features.  

Historic buildings and historic structures have been standing for a long time, and when they were built building codes may have been a little different.

Last month we spent some time talking about little details in home renovation, those things that are so often overlooked yet so are so important when discussing the quality of a space. This discussion often centers around visuals and aesthetics. However, there are aspects that people cannot see that can and should be done before starting your home renovation. 

At Old School Craftsman, we have been making a lot of spindles as of late. One reason for this is that Brendon and I have recently invested in a trio of CNC robots. But another reason is the rise of historical restorations, like the Victorian Porch Project, which often relies on spindles to establish a stylistic period.  

It’s sort of funny when you have a name like “Old School Craftsman,” people are always a little surprised when you use new technology on the job. Sometimes I think people have this idea of me as a weathered old carpenter who only uses tools and technologies that were available a hundred years ago or more. They think that to truly be “old school” you have to ignore the advancements made in the last century. 

It occurs to me that often, in life, it is the little things that make all the difference. That is especially true in the life of a custom home contractor like myself. People entrust me with the health and beauty of their homes, and that is not something that I take lightly. It's a big responsibility.  

If you are a long-time friend of the Old School Craftsman team, then you know that it has been one of our greatest ambitions to build a customized shop on our property for years. In 2023, that dream finally took its first steps towards being realized as Brendon, Trish, and I broke ground on the workshop.  

You may have seen our workshop update post from a few months ago. We are excited to announce that the workshop is now complete, and I have to say, it turned out better than expected.  

My name is Brent W. Sears and I am the master craftsman at Old School Craftsman. Together with my son and apprentice Brendon, and my wife Trish, we make up the Old School Craftsman team.

Over the years, many of my clients, friends, and partners have asked me about my career as a craftsman. I love to reminisce about my favorite projects, but there is only so much time in a day! I wanted to set aside some time to write down some of my experiences and my journey from my first projects to becoming the master craftsman I am today.  

If you know the Old School Craftsman team, then you know we think that every project we do is a work of art. At the same time, the process of building is sort of like a team sport. From start to finish, a new project requires a strong vision and a chain of craftsmen who can execute that vision. It's a delicate process, and if you hold yourself to the highest of standards (I do), then you only work with team members that you trust.  

At Old School Craftsman, we believe that there is nothing more important than making your home a place that is uniquely yours. What that means is different for every homeowner. Some want large-scale remodels that completely transform their homes and others want modest but profound upgrades that improve their standard of living and add an extra touch of charm to their living space.