Historic homes can be great
for those who want a renovation project. Not only are they likely to be
fixer-uppers, they often have beautiful features and are full of character.
While you’ll no doubt want to have all the modern comforts in your home, there
are ways you can achieve this while still keeping this character intact, so you
get the best of both worlds. Here are some ideas to help you.
1. Research your home’s time period
1. Research your home’s time period
When you buy a historic
home, the real estate listing will usually have information on what type of house style the property falls under, as well as the year it
was built. Houses in the USA often fall under a few distinct styles, from ranch
houses to brownstones, so do some research on the type of house you’re buying,
what architectural features they have, and how they might have been decorated in
this time period.
2. Find modern fixtures in traditional styles
2. Find modern fixtures in traditional styles
Most fixer-uppers will have
fixtures that need replacing, from staircases to doors, and ideally, you should
try to find modern fittings that have been made in a style that’s in-keeping
with your home’s period. For example, when you are looking for windows Shrewsbury, you’ll find that modern window companies offer Victorian-style sash
and casement windows that look just like the originals but have double or
triple glazing and hard-wearing frames that won’t rot over time.
3. Focus on the architectural details
When you’re looking for
style inspiration for your period home, focus on style details such as:
·
Baseboards·
Trims·
Tiles·
Ceilings·
Flooring
Where possible, use
materials they would have used in the period when the house was built and
consider picking the same sort of colors. This will give you a blank canvas to
work with, so whatever decorative features you choose, you’ll still get a historical
vibe.
4. Take inspiration
from design trends
There’s plenty of
information about home décor trends through the years, so try to incorporate these looks into your home.
If you are buying a home from the 1920s, consider investing in a couple of
pieces of beautiful art deco furniture, or using some bold, geometric patterns
and subtle gold foils. However, avoid overdoing it; otherwise, you may feel
like you live in a museum.
5. Finish off the look with vintage-inspired soft furnishings
For a finishing touch to
your room, look for some soft furnishings in the correct period style. For
example, in Victorian-era homes, choose luxurious, damask type fabrics for
drapes and cushions. In contrast, in mid-century homes, consider bold, colorful
prints that are close to the popular styles of the time.
Renovating a historic home
can be challenging, as homes from the past are usually beautiful, but wholly
impractical. It’s important not to strip the character from your home, but
instead to look for vintage-inspired fixtures and furniture that create a home
where you are comfortable living yet is still full of period charm.
This was a really informative read! At one time, I would have loved to have restored an old home! Unfortunately, that would have taken a whole lot of money that I didn’t have. I still don’t. i can still dream though. I have always loved the big Victorian style homes. I shared this on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing!!
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