If you could start all over again: part 2

9 years ago

Well, I just met with the man who is putting together the spec list of what needs to be done/replaced in our restoration. You know it's not going to be good news when the first thing he says is, "from your emails, I get the feeling that you really aren't aware of the scope of what's going on." Nope, not good at all.

In hindsight, I should have been aware, but it was just easier to stick my head in the sand. So the long and short of it is that the whole house is pretty much a complete gut job - walls, ceilings, all the woodwork (except stairs and banisters which will be stripped and redone), floors, etc.

All of the woodwork is original and over 100 years old. But I'm going to stop crying over spilt milk and get on with things (well, I will probably still have a good cry or two yet).

I've always been a fan of the mix of rustic/old with spare and new. I'm not a fan of bad replicas.

I'm toying with the idea of not replacing the woodwork as it is now and going with something completely different.

What if we went with pared down painted white woodwork and medium dark floors and let the furnishings be the focal point rather than the woodwork/architecture?

I seem to be incapable of posting an in-message pic from the internet, but I've included a link to a kitchen that sort of has the feeling I love. I'll keep looking for a living room pic with a similar look to try to better explain what I'm thinking.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

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Comments (5)

lyfia
9 years ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. I think you may want to talk to a restoration company that actually work{{gwi:807}} with old houses as just ripping everything out is the easy way out and cheaper so of course that would be the first course of action. Now I understand if you don't want to deal with it or fight that battle.

Now what makes that kitchen you linked to me is the wood work. The kitchen otherwise is very simple. The architecture of the room is what shines, not the fixtures.

I think you could do nice architectural trim in white that would look like it was original to your house but something that somebody painted over the years.

This post was edited by lyfia on Sat, Jan 31, 15 at 9:58
crl_
9 years ago
I'm so sorry. This must be very stressful. Is the choice really doing something completely different or a bad replica though? My house is only 89 years old, but my GC has assured me that he can find doors, windows, trim, everything really to match exactly what I have. Is that not possible for you?

Of course if you don't want to replicate things that's entirely different. It sounds like there's little original to save so I wouldn't feel guilty about going in a different direction if that's your preference.
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daisychain01
Original Author
9 years ago
Ugh. I really shouldn't have posted that last night. I admit I was having a pity party for myself and was way too upset to think straight.

With a clearer head this morning, I would like to reframe the question and have, therefore, started a new post.

lyfia and crl, thank you. We have 2 really good companies bidding for the restoration of the house and I know they could do a good job of recreating the woodwork, but it will always be a copy. Having said that, I have to remind myself that a few years ago we replaced a plate glass window the POs had put in in the 70s with double hung windows made to mimic the original. They did all the wood work around the window to match the original casings and I stained it myself. You honestly couldn't tell the difference.
Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
Oh I'm so sorry. Finding out the loss is greater than you thought is almost like losing it all over again. (((hugs)))

There is something other than all new or a bad replica...it's a good replica. Friend of mine (I should take pics some time) built a new house about 15 years ago, and to walk inside, you'd think it was from the 17th-18th century. He worked with a fellow who salvaged antique wood and he used real beams, flooring, boards, etc. to create an excellent replica. There are also in between steps, like using more modern materials in the same way that they did back then so it gives the same look and coziness and feel, but in a slightly fresher way.

I was in another house on a house tour that was a lovely Queen Anne style victorian...just gorgeous. We were stunned when they told us where the addition was. They did such a good job of replicating the style and trim, that it was seamless. So it is possible.

Also, keep in mind the benefit of the new is that it won't need the maintenance or have the issues (think electrical, plumbing, rot) as the old has. And the new can provide wonderful features that the old never could like in-floor heating, adequate electrical outlets for today's appliances...
jlc712
9 years ago
I'm sure that was so hard to hear! Of course you are grieving for everything that has to be replaced. I'm so sorry for all you're going through.

Annie has excellent points-- it's possible to have it replicated well, and it gives you an opportunity to add modern conveniences that were missing and were too difficult to add in the past.