2018 Irvington Home Tour

2018 Irvington Home Tour

Craftsman Design and Renovation is proud to be a part of the 36th annual Irvington Home Tour with this beautiful Craftsman home.

Originally designed and built in 1910 by Robert Beat, this home had been neglected and was in need of some TLC! With careful design and planning, we were able to renovate and restore this home to its former glory. Located in the Irvington neighborhood, the largest historic district in Portland, it was an easy decision to showcase this Craftsman home for the tour. The Irvington Home tour boasts upwards of 800 visitors annually. The money raised from the tour funds grants that are given to neighborhood schools, meals on wheels, and many other historic preservation efforts and nonprofit charities.

Exterior Before

Exterior After

This home had remained largely untouched for the past 100 years with exception of the exterior. Once we removed the aluminum siding, the original siding and hidden architectural details were revealed which we restored and replicated where missing.

Inside all of the original wood working, plaster walls, windows and inlaid wood floors were restored. To our surprise and delight, the beautiful stained glass through out the home was still intact.

Living Room

The kitchen underwent the most extensive renovation. We removed an underused porch and butler’s pantry, and relocated the powder bathroom. This enabled us to expand the kitchen and add an eat in breakfast nook. The addition of French doors and transom windows above the original windows allowed for an abundance of natural light.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Powder Bathroom

Upstairs we turned the original sleeping porch into a stunning new guest suite bathroom and adjacent laundry room. The original clawfoot tub was resurfaced and painted adding the charm and character you would expect in a Craftsman home.

Sleeping Porch Before

Guest Suite Bathroom After

Maximizing storage and space in older homes is key. We used Dewils Fine Cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms for the clean lines and customization capabilities. This careful marrying of historic details with modern conveniences, creates a home that is both functional and timeless.

Tips on Preserving your Historic Home

Tips on Preserving your Historic Home

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>.