Vintage homes have a unique appeal and charm, making you fall in love with them. If you’ve just purchased a stately home with some history surrounding it, you will want to preserve its original structure. However, your architect may advise against upgrades and renovations to make the place suitable for its contemporary owners. So, how would you incorporate elements for comfort and functionality without altering the essence of the house? Read ahead for some great ideas.
Preserve the Elegance of the Home with a Portrait
Capture the old-world charm of the house by taking a picture and commissioning a hand-illustrated house portrait. You can connect with the artist online and talk about the minor details that make the place unique. If you would like to add features or remove others, the artist can make that happen. Hang up the painting in the newly-renovated house as a memento of its history and remember the original owners who built it.
Renovating the Facade
Before you work out the details of how to renovate the exteriors, check with the community homeowners association. You may have to follow specific rules and acquire permits for altering the facade of historic houses. Connecting with them will also give you information about how you can enhance the look without taking away from its inherent style.
You could add terracotta or clay tiles to the roof or fix stone veneers to the exterior walls. Exposed brick is also a great choice, as is stucco that is very versatile and can be modeled to take on any design and color scheme. Vintage homes often have wooden walls and doors, which look gorgeous in any setting. If you intend to preserve these structures, make sure to install overhangs and eaves to protect the wood from weather conditions.
Renovating the Interiors
When walking through the house before your purchase, you’ve probably identified several areas that need work. For instance, old and peeling wallpaper, bubbling paint, chipped and faded power outlets, tired kitchen cabinets, and threadbare carpets and rugs. Most of these aging elements can be easily replaced to give your home a fresh look.
Your architect will help you identify the design elements that you should keep. The ceiling, walls, windows, and door trims in vintage homes add to the rooms’ personality. Paint them in a neutral color or choose a gloss finish to make them stand out. Stained glass panels, windows, fireplaces, mantle pieces, and other features in most historic homes are pieces that you would want to integrate into your new interiors.
When moving into a vintage home, it is understandable that you want to install upgrades to customize the rooms according to personal preferences. However, do include the original features to preserve the original charm and appeal of the structure.
 
