Thoughts on adding millwork to a 1900 home?

3 years ago

I'm looking at purchasing a home built in 1900. The abundance of bay windows and overall design leans victorian farmhouse, but the millwork is very understated. Big baseboards. Typical wood column fireplace. Stairwell trim. And columns between the entry and parlor, but THICK plaster arches to the other rooms with no other detailing. No crown. No ceiling detail beyond swirled plaster. Nothing else. Surprisingly nothing else.
I know safest bet is leave alone. But I've also heard its ok to add historically accurate profiles since it could have had those, and I personally am leaning toward that. I love ornate millwork, and this has tremendous opportunity to add it.
What are the forums thoughts on adding accurate timeperiod details (like crown) in a home where it makes sense but may not have been put in originally? Should it be 1900 or prior designs, or would you faux "evolution" with a few 20s designs tucked in so it looks like it was added later, but 20 years later instead of 120 years later? Im kind of liking the "add it" approach, but am open to other thoughts.
Bonus question: the kitchen is basically a blank space. Feel free to share thoughts on renovating that as well. I'd need something usable as I'm 29 and will eventually have kids. Are we thinking white shaker for timeless? Traditional but current? Accurate museum piece? I'm leaning maybe timeless classic cherry or white cabinets. But also open to other ideas.
Thanks for the thoughts!

Featured Answer

Anna Devane

3 years ago

i had an antique home that i added paneling and millwork where i felt it had been torn out. Some of the rooms had retained moulding and some looked plain as could be and weren’t cohesive. Also oddly the kitchen was done in a spanish motif? That had to go.

I think adding appropriate trim is a good thing. There is a book titled ”Get Your House Right” that would be very helpful and post pictures for input from fellow Houzzers.

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Comments (6)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I think we need to see the spaces . We had a 1905 1 1/2 storey small house in the 60s all the trim was removed to UPDATE and when we did the renovation I redid the swirl ceilings and added crown in the LR and DR but my overall style is very contemporary but IMO the spaces needed that trim and the wider baseboards .I think do what seems to be right for your home.
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Travis Johnson
3 years ago
My thoughts are this: you work hard, you pay taxes on the house, and you like millwork.

Put it in my friend.

In life there are many times we have to tell ourselves no, but this you can do. I do not pretend to know you, but its your home, enjoy it as you see fit. Life is too short not to enjoy your home.

Just from your post i can tell you will research what type fits in well, and i think it will compliment your home. Just be dure to show us puctures. We like pictures…
Travis Johnson
3 years ago
Like you, I am in the same position regarding your kitchen... a clean slate. I laugh because I read about people renovating to the studs, but only because we plan on going beyond the studs so we can add a row of windows along the back of the house to take in the river view.

Since your home sounds like ours to some degree (Farmhouse Victorian), maybe do what we did and look at modern farmhouse kitchens? We plan to subdue the "modern" look by using a slate farmhouse sink (Sheldon Slate in Monson, Maine), slate flooring and lights that are less modern-looking to match other elements of the home. It will be a modern looking farmhouse kitchen, but toned down if that makes sense.

Only you can decide what is right, but I will add that lighting fixtures are really what set the theme of the room. Get one too modern looking and that is just what you get.
beeboo22
3 years ago
I’m an old house purist but I think you should add whatever you want as long as it’s period appropriate and suits the house. Be mindful of materials tho and don’t do MDF everywhere.

The kitchen question is much harder. I suggest you look at Old House Online and around the ‘nets to see if you want an unfitted period kitchen (with modern amenities) or just an classic traditional kitchen that suits the house. Luckily that style is very popular right now.
ptreckel
3 years ago
Not all older homes (1900) had opulent interiors. Some were middle class workers homes. Simple woodwork, or only “fancy” molding in the front parlor OR the dining room. The more public rooms of the home. Not found in the upstairs bedrooms. Indeed, are your floors of better quality downstairs than upstairs? We had oak laid in a pattern in our dining room and parlor, and simple pine floors upstairs. The downstairs had wide varnished woodwork and casings, and a beautiful paneled stairway. The upstairs woodwork was all painted, and narrow. The kitchen had one built in cupboard, oak. A brick chimney for the wood stove. And painted oak wainscoting. Rough sand plastered walls. I adored that house. Don’t OVER embellish. Learn the history of your home. Who lived there? Are there any early photos. I am not saying “restore” your home, but don’t over-embellish it. It won’t look appropriate.