Historic preservation is one of our passions and specialities at Craftsman Design and Renovation. From design to build, we enjoy remodeling and preserving the classic homes of Portland.
It may seem like an overwhelming subject for a homeowner who cares for the history of their home, but also wants the space to cater to their modern needs. Here are some tips to help you both preserve and change your home to fit your needs:
1. Take a walk down your block
Your home probably fits right in with many other historic or period homes on your same block or in your neighborhood. If you are working to restore your home to its original structure or need help adding-on without the addition looking garish, take a stroll in your neighborhood. Study the homes surrounding yours. You may have a neighbor who pulled off exactly what you are trying to accomplish who you can learn from.
2. You can replace when necessary
There are times when a gorgeous old piece of molding or an ancient pillar is rotting away. Someone at a lumberyard may tell you that this piece is irreplaceable, but there are many times when this statement is untrue. Your old pillar may not be in stock, but Portland has many craftsmen who can design a match and keep your home’s integrity and beauty intact.
The same goes with old, intricate pieces like latches and door knobs. There are craftsmen, hardware shops, and antique shops which specialize in such pieces and can help you find the best match for or fix your broken piece.
3. Add your own history to the home
Your home may be historical, but so is your family line. Old photographs, your grandmother’s rocking chair or a quilted family tree can all add your own history to your home.
4. Decide what to change first
There are major changes that one can do to a home to restore it and there are small changes with a big impact. If your home needs repair before restoration, prioritize your projects and see if any overlap. For example: if you are planning to re-shingle the home with fish-scale shingles, and you have a leaky roof, you might as well do both at the same time.
5. Check in your attic, crawl spaces, and basement for original home parts
Previous owners may have stowed away original wainscotting, stained-glass windows, or even an original door in an unlikely corner of your home. This not only gives you a great original piece to use, but allows you some extra storage space as well.
6. Stay inspired
Restoring your home can feel like a long-term job, and sometimes it is. Seek out others with your passion, research your area, go on walking tours in historical neighborhoods and keep your passion burning.
We have restored and remodeled many historic homes in the Portland area. Our passion is helping homeowners blend their modern needs with their historical or period homes. You can find more tips and seek inspiration on our portfolio: <a href=”https://www.craftsmandesign.com/portfolio”>https://www.craftsmandesign.com/portfolio</a>.
