A Folk Artist's Hand-Built Saltbox in West Virginia | Photographed For Early Homes Magazine

We had the pleasure of photographing folk artist Mike Spangler's hand-built saltbox in Charleston, West Virginia, for Early Homes magazine. Mike grew up dreaming of one day living in an authentic 18th-century style home. Historic saltboxes simply were not common where he lived, so after years of collecting ideas, he and his father decided to build one themselves — taking two and a half years to bring it to life as time and money were available. Every room is painted in muted, historic colors — rich russet, cream and ochre yellow — true to the era he set out to recreate. Mike scoured antiques shops, yard sales and online sites for ladderback chairs, vintage iron, redware pottery and wood pieces with original paint. He also crafted his own make-do furniture, blending it so seamlessly with his antique finds that even we had a hard time telling old from new. Mike did not sacrifice comfort for authenticity though. Modern conveniences like plumbing, electric and air conditioning are tucked discreetly behind closed doors and disguised cabinetry, keeping the home period perfect while still livable day to day. Mike often said visitors told him stepping through his door felt like stepping back in time, and that response was exactly what he hoped for. He considered himself a keeper of history, and never felt he was giving anything up by living surrounded by the past. Mike Spangler has since passed away, but his home and his artistry live on through these images, first published in Early Homes magazine and later shared again in Country Sampler. 📷 Gridley + Graves | Interior & Architectural Photographers 🌐 www.gridleygraves.com If you love primitive antiques, folk art and homes with a real story behind them — subscribe and join us on more home tours!