Historic Design Consulting LLC

Historic Design Consulting LLC Historic Design Consulting, LLC. is dedicated to assisting homeowners, museums and businesses preserve and restore historic architecture.

We offer both consulting and hands-on restoration services. Historic Design Consulting LLC assists home and business owners preserve and restore their historic buildings. HDC offers a variety of consulting services, including developing authentic exterior and interior color schemes, interior decoration, and the selection of millwork, including doors, windows and molding, that are appropriate for t

he age and style of your building. We can also help design period appropriate porches and exterior ornaments as well as develop maintenance plans that will address the special needs of older homes.

06/26/2026

I decided to make a model lath wall for tomorrow’s plaster class in St. Cloud, MN. I think this is the best way to show how traditional plaster was applied. The class is full and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!

06/25/2026

A few weeks ago I used some hand tools to add molding to a window/transom sill. This was one of those instances when it was faster to do some of the work by hand than with power tools. Plus, I just like using my old planes.

Job site fauna at the Fillebrown House.
06/25/2026

Job site fauna at the Fillebrown House.

I’m trying to get a batch of storm windows assembled today, and it’s taking a while. I’m using traditional mortise and t...
06/21/2026

I’m trying to get a batch of storm windows assembled today, and it’s taking a while. I’m using traditional mortise and tenon joinery and I decided to secure them with a slight draw bore. That takes some extra time with 6 joints to assemble on each storm.

I haven’t posted a real-photo postcard in a while, so here’s a view of Nemaha, IA around 1910. Nemaha was founded in 190...
06/21/2026

I haven’t posted a real-photo postcard in a while, so here’s a view of Nemaha, IA around 1910. Nemaha was founded in 1905 as a stop on CMStP&P RY and is where my grandfather bought a farm in 1936. My mother grew up here and I spent lots of time here as a child. The community still exists, but looks very different today.

It’s not too late to register for the Drywall vs. Lath and Plaster Hands-On Workshop!!! I am partnering with the Stearns...
06/20/2026

It’s not too late to register for the Drywall vs. Lath and Plaster Hands-On Workshop!!! I am partnering with the Stearns County History Museum to offer a workshop where you will learn about historic lath and plaster and try your hand at repairing your own plaster using modern materials. It will be held on June 27 between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

Register at: https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/event-items/drywall-vs-lath-and-plaster-hands-on-workshop/

It’s not too late to register for the Drywall vs. Lath and Plaster Hands-On Workshop!!! I am partnering with the Stearns...
06/20/2026

It’s not too late to register for the Drywall vs. Lath and Plaster Hands-On Workshop!!! I am partnering with the Stearns County History Museum to offer a workshop where you will learn about historic lath and plaster and try your hand at repairing your own plaster using modern materials. It will be held on June 27 between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of Drywall vs. Lath and Plaster from Mark Johnston, owner of Historic Design Consulting and an expert in the building preservation trades at this […]

I am going to be on a radio show on Tuesday June 23rd between 10:15 and 10:30 on WJON AM 1240 Radio St. Cloud. We will b...
06/19/2026

I am going to be on a radio show on Tuesday June 23rd between 10:15 and 10:30 on WJON AM 1240 Radio St. Cloud. We will be talking about my upcoming plaster class and other historic preservation topics. Tune in if you can!!!

06/19/2026

It may look like frosting, but I wouldn’t eat it. I’m mixing some lime putty from high calcium hydrated lime for my upcoming plaster class. We will focus on DIY repairs using modern materials, though we will spend some time looking at traditional lime and gypsum plaster. houses

I’ve got my plaster repair class coming up so I thought I’d get some prep work done today. First up is making some lime ...
06/14/2026

I’ve got my plaster repair class coming up so I thought I’d get some prep work done today. First up is making some lime putty. I could use the type S box store hydrated lime since this is just a demo, but I will use some quality, high calcium lime instead.

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Saint Paul, MN
55101–55175

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