Whether it’s a result of the housing market or popularity of home makeover TV shows, more people are purchasing fixer uppers and taking the DIY renovation route than ever before. When it comes historic homes, deciding what to keep and what to get rid of can be a challenge. How do you update a space and make it functional for a modern lifestyle while preserving its charm and character? To find out, we turned to the experts and asked them to share their design philosophy when it comes renovating a property or building an addition.
“When working on historic homes, we try to retain as much of the original materials and details as possible as they are often character-defining elements of the design,” says Paul Clayton, principal of Clayton Korte. Whether it’s a stunning fireplace featuring high-quality materials and a beautiful silhouette, or intricate millwork that infuses the space with old-world charm, there’s no substitute for these original home details.”
If you’re embarking on a DIY home renovation, here are the original home details designers say you should always keep.
1. Fireplace and Mantel
“If you are interested in preserving original features during a remodel, we suggest not altering fireplaces and mantels,” says interior designer Audrey Scheck. A fireplace is usually located in a prominent spot within a room and serves as a focal point. Historic homes often feature fireplaces made from high-quality materials, boasting impressive craftsmanship, and displaying intricate details and lovely silhouettes that would cost a fortune to replicate today. Keeping this original detail is an excellent way to preserve the home’s character and story, as well as to set an elegant and elevated tone for the rest of the space. If the original fireplace is no longer functional or safe to use, you can always keep the surround and mantel and have a professional update the internal components.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
2. Millwork
Millwork is another original home detail that Scheck recommends keeping if you’re renovating a home. The term ‘millwork’ refers to wooden details such as wall paneling, crown molding, and decorative window and door trim, all of which you’ll often see in older homes. Scheck says that this design detail carries the property’s original charm and character and is, “something that new construction typically can’t replicate.” In the past, millwork was usually crafted from luxurious woods such as mahogany, walnut, or cherry wood and stained a rich and dark color. If this look feels a little too heavy for the updated aesthetic you’re going for, painting it is an option, but it does require thoughtful consideration.
3. Staircase
An original staircase, whether located in a grand foyer or leading from the kitchen to the upstairs bedrooms, as you’ll sometimes encounter in a historic property, is a design element to keep. It often includes ornate details and beautifully crafted railings and banister that contribute to the home’s historic personality. “Those timeless details tell your home’s story and are important to hold onto whenever you can,” Scheck says.
Joyelle West
4. Hardwood Floors
If your home has original hardwood floors that are in good shape or can be salvaged with a little bit—or a lot—of elbow grease, Scheck recommends keeping them. “Lean into those unique details like creaky hardwood floors and intricate trim,” she says. Renovating a fixer upper typically comes with a share fair of surprises along the way, some pleasant and some not so pleasant, but finding original hardwood floors under a covering of dirty old carpet is always an exciting discovery. In cases where the home has original hardwood floors but they are too damaged to save, Clayton shares a way to maintain the historic visual essence while replacing the floors. “If we do need to replace original materials and details, we will replace them in kind to maintain the texture and feel of the residence,” he says.
Edmund Barr
5. Interior Brick
Keeping or uncovering original exposed brick walls fills an interior with warmth, historic charm, and a raw material that adds a textural detail. When it comes to painting over original exposed brick, Scheck says it’s all about balance. “While it’s not necessarily a ‘no,’ you certainly want to be mindful during the planning process,” she advises. If the brick feels heavy and doesn’t align with your vision, a fresh coat of paint provides an instant and inexpensive update. “But think twice: those raw, unpolished textures tell a story you just can’t buy,” Scheck warns. “Before you reach for the paintbrush, make sure you’re not covering a piece of the home’s history that can’t be undone.”
