The Back Ell

An “ell” refers to a wing or extension of a building that is perpendicular to the main part of the house and forms a letter “L.” A common feature of New England farmhouses, the ell typically served as a summer kitchen or other primary living space for the family. In the Leighton house, the ell sits on a granite foundation with pine crossbeams running over the ground.

Back Ell - Finished - 2023
Copy of the property deed transferring ownership from Amesbury to Edwin Leighton in 1867, shown with two hammers found inside the walls during renovation
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
Heywood Wakefield knee-hole desk with Pacific and Bauer Pottery
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
Steel door leading to garage; we added new chair rail molding (similar to original) back during renovation
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
Back ell hallway leading to kitchen
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
Original basement door with Heywood Wakefield bookcase in front of original mantel
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
View of back ell room; pine planking with pecan finish was used to replace the original pine throughout the house
Back Ell - Finished - 2023
After being removed, we added the door back in; this was not the original configuration of the windows in the back ell

During Renovation

Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
The previous owners laid laminate tile over plywood over the original pine planked floor
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
The original deteriorating floor structure needed to be replaced
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
Removing the pine planking reveals the original pine floor joists
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
Everything in the room was stripped back to studs and windows replaced
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
Basement door, mantel with stovepipe, and closet; rocks are from adjacent basement foundation
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
Replacement of floor joists
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
All floor joists were replaced in the back two-thirds of the house
Back Ell - Renovation - 2022
Removing the ash bin and brickface
Back Ell - For Sale - 2022
Completed work by the time the house went up for sale in 2022
Back Ell - For Sale - 2022
New windows along back wall
Back Ell - For Sale - 2022
New windows along front wall; the door was added back in 2023
Back Ell - For Sale - 2022
As is "finished" renovation work; flooring added in 2023

Before

Back Ell - Before - 2021
Back corner of ell with small window
Back Ell - Before - 2021
Windows and doorway before replacement
Back Ell - Before - 2022
Before renovation
Back Ell - Before - 2021
Before renovation