June 10, 2011

7 Ways to Make a Old New House

I found this article on Southern Living's website, and thought I'd share it with you because I love the house that is showcased! The article talks about how a couple built a brand new house in a way that made it seem "old" (aka lots of character).

Here is what the couple said they wanted to accomplish: "When someone enters our home and says, ‘This house is in great shape for its age,’ we’ll know we hit the mark!"

And here are their tips for making a old new home!

1. Start with a Smart Plan: Throughout the interior, the couple chose inconsistent window styles and varying board widths (on floors and walls) to create a haphazard effect, furthering the idea that the plan was not completed at once.

In the picture: Enclosed porches represent renovations the structure would have endured over time. A 78-inch-long porch swing stands in as a sofa on the back screened porch.


2. Maximize the Impact of Wood: There is not one single sheet of drywall in the entire house!!! Every wall and ceiling is wood plank - whether it’s board-and-batten, beaded board, or single planks, wood guarantees instant impact, even if the budget only allows placing it on a single wall or ceiling. Wood brings warmth and character that simply can’t be matched by any other material.

In the picture: The foyer’s oil-rubbed electrified kerosene lanterns were originally attached to the sides of wagons that were headed west during the gold rush.


3. Salvage Materials: Throughout the home, heart-pine flooring obtained from a South Carolina textile mill recalls history. It has the original nail holes. If you look closely, you can still see oil stains from factory weaving machines. Salvaged beam work and reclaimed interior doors also pack a big punch and add character.

In the picture: Wood-clad walls, ceilings, and floors give the house a sense of historic charm.


4. Opt for Muted Hues: Earthy tones offer a timeless look. The colors in this house are all meant to blend in. Thinned paint coats walls, ceilings, and cabinetry to create the patina of weathered wood. If the paint had been solid, it would have looked too new and stark.

In the picture: Just above the kitchen’s apron-front sink, a dark-stained window repeats the floor’s warm hue.


5. Choose Authentic Lighting: Composed of electrified gas lanterns, rewired and repurposed antiques, and vintage reproductions, the home’s lighting maintains an authentic period look. To complement the look, they selected handcrafted reproduction fixtures, which appear every bit as genuine as their original counterparts.

In the picture: An interior casement window connects the breakfast nook to the adjacent kitchen. Built-in seating and a custom light fixture made from an old lampshade evoke cottage charm.


6. Keep It Casual: The couple wanted the interior to seem as if it has been collected and pulled together over time. They brought antiques east from Kansas City and combined them with painted pieces, flea market finds, and antique reproductions for a casual beach look.

In the picture: The master bedroom has a burlap pendant light suspended by a rope pulley system makes an eye-catching focal point.


7. Don't Overlook Details: To re-create exactly how the house would have been built in every way, the couple wanted everything as vintage as possible. Glass doorknobs add charm to the baths. Most light fixtures in the house operate with a push button, and some function with an old-fashioned pull-down chain. In the kitchen, Kay concealed a Sub-Zero refrigerator with an intricately crafted stained oak panel complete with vintage icebox hardware.

In the picture: The kitchen ceiling soars to 20 feet, allowing the lofty bank of clerestory windows to radiate daylight.


{pictures via Southern Living}



I thought those were some great tips for giving some vintage flare to your home. I love the charm of this cottage, especially all the wood planks used on the floors, walls, and ceilings!

To check out the full article, click HERE!

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