1920s Cottage Needs Updating

12 years ago

Hello all, I just purchased an older home with a lot of charm. It needs some TLC. I was hoping for some ideas on colors and ways to improve the home while maintaining its originality.

Look forward to hearing back from everyone!

Featured Answer

hambirg

12 years ago

I actually like the porch posts . . .kind of a Minimalist Traditional feel. My house is that style and was built in 1920. There are many homes in my neighborhood that have the same straight posts. You could put up a railing, but I don't think it's a big priority. (see pic below)

I think I would keep the walls light because of all the dark wood finishes. And if your house is like mine, the rooms are charming (read small!) Keep that in mind when buying furniture. What style do you like and what does your current furniture look like?

Obviously your kitchen was updated at some point. It doesn't look so bad and certainly looks functional. I would change out that light though. Maybe something like a line of schoolhouse pendants might work. Also consider running undercabinet lighting if that ceiling light is the only light source.

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Comments (32)

Curt D'Onofrio
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
At the onset the one thing i would change is the porch area. I like vertical supports with curves and a railing as in this photo http://www.mvpweatherwise.com/images/products/Columns/large/Victorian%20Column%202_l.jpg
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the comment!

Also need some tips on bathroom updates and ideas to spruce up the old fireplaces. I have so much stained wood trim. I feel like I shouldn't paint over them

Right now I'm thinking of adding some bead board wainscoting and painting the underbelly of the claw foot tub
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Curt D'Onofrio
12 years ago
I luv those floors + baseboard + wood stain around fireplace. I would paint those little shelves in last pic flat white. Who ever thought of putting them there. Kudos to them (a great idea to putting collectibles up there)
mcbriec
12 years ago
Very cute house. I would do minor updates like painting and would wait to do any significant remodeling. You need time to absorb the space and really figure out exactly how you use the home before making major decisions.
MarleneM
12 years ago
Very cute house and I think the woodwork and house looks to be in great shape and needs decoration more than TLC. Those shelves I believe are plate rails and are typical of the era and style of house.
dizzytizzy
12 years ago
I agree with hambirg re: the porch posts. Please don't change the original appearance of this lovely little house.
bschr
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Your new home is beautiful. I agree that you should live in it for awhile before you do anything.
User
12 years ago
First, do no harm. Stop yourself from making any changes at all until you have a better feel for what is appropriate historically.
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
12 years ago
You woodwork is really nice. If it is in good shape, leave it alone. If it is somewhat beat up, refinish it, NO painting it. The biggest thing I see that needs improvement is the kitchen. If mine, I would redo it in a craftsman style to match the rest of the house. But as Sophie says do what is appropriate, not what is trendy. You've got a great comfy home.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-workbook-8-elements-of-a-craftsman-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~1936972
andygwen
12 years ago
Ironically I am in the same position. I purchased a building that dates back to the 1700's with amazing history. it was at one point the county jail then a residence and converted to 3 apartments and a retail space. I am currently renovating a vacant apt. The previous owner of the building neglected it terribly.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
12 years ago
I've been doing some research and apparently the home may have been owned by ancestors of Thomas Paine (author of Common Sense)

I'm doing a renovation loan so I have to come to the table with my plan. Right now I'm just going to clean up the existing space and build a small master suite and a garage addition on the back of the house

I have a fireplace that is seen from the dining and living rooms in the front of the house.

I'm debating if I should open that wall up and leave only the exposed brick and mantles so your able to see through and open the floor plan up
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
12 years ago
Here is a view of the dining room (with built in pantry) and the living room. I'm considering opening up that wall (pantry would have to be repurposed into the kitchen)

What are your thoughts of opening that wall and leaving the exposed brick fireplace with mantles?
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
12 years ago
All original trim and woodwork will be saved and used elsewhere throughout the house. Especially the doors and stained trim! It's all in immaculate condition
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
12 years ago
If it was my home and since it has a connection to such a famous person. I wouldn't touch the original floor plan. If it has been altered since they lived in it, I would try to put it back to what it was like at the time, but that's not an absolute, just my opinion. But, to open up old walls to make it trendy is not appropriate for a historical house.
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
It would be a huge mistake to try to force a modern layout on that home by opening up walls. You'd be destroying theoriginal detail and character that makes it appealing. You'd also be financially destroying the value of the home to alter it in such a radical way from it's originality. What's fashionable comes and goes. And you can never replace what you destroy.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for all the comments.

I have to do some opening up. Both the living and dining room are so tiny they are almost unusable space.

I want to make this into a home that will actually use all the square footage.

Appreciate the comments and will te look plans
mcbriec
12 years ago
This is a home that you need to live in as a member of modern society. Your home is not a museum which must be left in a historic condition that is inimical to your lifestyle.

If it were mine, I would modify it to reflect my current living needs, while maintaining, to the extent practicable, the overall historic feel. Having said that, I'm not quite sure how to open up that room with the fireplace and think the services of a good architect would be invaluable.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
9 years ago
Hello everyone, thought I would share some pics of the completed project. I know a lot of people didn't want to modify the existing floor plan. But I decided to open it up and mirror the old style with some modern flare. Curious as to your thoughts
connie912
9 years ago
Wonderful!
When it's convenient show pictures of the fireplace. Did you keep the stained trim or decide to paint?
felizlady
9 years ago
The exterior is adorable. I would simply paint the front door in a deeper color.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
9 years ago
Here is the fireplace. Same style on both sides

I went with valor gas insert with coals to mimic the original coal fireplaces
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
9 years ago
Here is a link to Zillow with a video and much better pictures:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/105-Wood-Dr-PINEHURST-NC-28374/124093245_zpid
hummingalong2
9 years ago
Very nice!!!
pathways
9 years ago
Frankly, this is a tragic treatment of a sweet old house. The history and warmth have been replaced with something right from the pages of Pinterest.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
9 years ago
That is one perspective to have - albeit negative. This house was in shambles and had been sitting deteriorating for over a year when I found it. It has been given new life and we took every opportunity to save or restore original parts of the house. We love it :)
Steve
9 years ago
I disagree with pathways. I think the house looked kinda boring before and now I think it looks like somewhere I would enjoy entertaining guests. I think you've done an amazing job and you deserve to be happy about such a great transformation. Besides I still think its got some cottage charm going on. :)
hummingalong2
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Agree with Steve! It has lots of charm
User
9 years ago
Wanton destruction.
Cheryl Lawson
9 years ago
Beautiful job! Thanks for taking the time to share the "after" photos with us.
mrykbee
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's a cute house and looks like it will be pleasant to live in for a single person or couple. I like your decor--kind of fake farm with charm. But wait, what did you save? I can't find anything that looks original or historical.
Mario Gaglioti
Original Author
9 years ago
Hard to see from the photos but:

Saved original heart pine floors upstairs. Unfortunately the first floor had to be torn up due to termite damage

All original five panel doors were reused (painted white).

All door hardware was cleaned up and made to work (i.e. Skeleton keys were found to match)

Hand cranked front doorbell was also cleaned and powder coated

Iron claw foot tub was refinished and moved downstairs and given new fixtures

All wood trim was saved (painted white)