No...I've never posted before and we haven't even closed on the house yet...so there's someone with the same house out there! Ill check out the link, thanks!

Many people who buy old homes find that the homes actually make them have a greater appreciation of the tastes and lifestyles that accompanied the home. They find great satisfaction in decorating the home in historic fashion. I wouldn't rush into any changes until you become well acquainted with your beautiful home. While contemporary can be carefully done in an old home, often it has the unfortunate look of "grannie in a mini skirt".

Congratulations, awbuckeye. This is an awesome home. I'm very glad you've committed to keeping the architectural details here. I live in a 1910 Craftsman bungalow and would give anything to have your wood. High end homes from that period used fine materials; others like mine used paint grade and linoleum over fir subfloors.

That said, you absolutely can go more modern without looking like "granny in a miniskirt." Here are a couple photos to get you started"

The posts makes me so happy. I love that everyone seems to be saying enjoy the beauty of this old home.

oooh, what pretty mouldings! :D

getting rid of the wallpaper and that gastly red in the fireplace room will help modernize it right off the bat!

good luck on the purchasing and closing! :D

Beautiful home! I'm not a pro, but in my opinion, there is something about the clean lines of your home that lends itself many different styles of decor. I think the contrast of the old and new will make it very interesting. (We live in a 1925 house with LOTS of original, stained wood and have mostly transitional decor.) Enjoy!

Yes - Good luck with the closing.

groveraxel, I guess I'm too much of a traditionalist but I think in both of your examples the design and the house look an uncomfortable fit.

white or gray walls, strip the wall paper and a few light colored area rugs

We just did an extensive remodel or our 1905 home. Our house had been changed in 1940 to look like a Colonial Revival (popular at that time). The modifications made at that time (and others) were not in the style of the home''s Victorian/Craftsman roots. Our goal was to make the house function like a modern house and also take it back to its roots. Because of the many changes made to our home over the years, I did not feel the need to be a complete stickler about historical accuracy. We managed to preserve all that was worth preserving and I scoured architectural antique stores and ebay to fill in the gaps. ( I found vintage hardware, lighting, interior doors etc. this way).

We used historically accurate hex tiles for the kitchen and bath, but went with white and dark brown in the kitchen instead of white and black. It gives it a historical feel without seeming so stark. Because we live in the Pacific NW we used heat mats under the tiles (which feels yummy on your feet). We kept or replaced old fir trim, but painted the walls bright colors, which gives it a nice cheery updated look.

In addition to bright wall colors, we added skylights upstairs. I know that is not historically accurate, but the combination of the light and the fir trim and floors up there is stunning.

We kept most of our cool old windows, but refinished them (layers of paint) and replaced the ropes on the weights so that they worked properly. New windows in the house are wood on the interior and aluminum clad on the outside (because of the climate here) with divided lights that look real (spacers in-between the glass). Hate it when people put vinyl windows in old houses. We did not have the budget to do the windows all at once, so once a year we would pull one out, have it worked on and put it back.

I was very fortunate to have a handyman neighbor who re-did his Craftsman style house, so he knew lots of tricks that helped us along. Also, my contractor was super patient and understood what we were trying to do and that was essential.

What I love about our house is that people who didn't see it before don't know what is new and what is old and that was part of our goal. I wanted things to look like they had always been there.

My advice is to do things slowly and well. Try to stay true to the period of your house, but if you do anything drastic, do things that can be undone (like wall paint).

Beautiful home!!

I love the home you are about to buy, the unpainted woodwork is beautiful and I hope you won't paint it. I remember in the mid 70's many people stripping paint off their woodwork to get it back to the original. You will be destroying it if you paint it. Also please don't consider opening up the house plan as many do. If you want an open plan now is the time to buy a different house. This is a gorgeous house because it hasn't been remuddled in the last 50 years.

I don't think you change anything about the color of the mouldings, that is as good as it gets. But I think you do bold colors that compliment that quarter sawn white oak. Shouldn't be too tough to do, then maybe you can get some of the modern appeal through subtle touches, maybe some wall sconces, rugs, lamps. I think lighting is key because I can see the color getting a little dark in here with a modern theme and the woodwork, but nothing wrong with that. Just makes it a little more relaxing!

your first houzz poster wins my vote.................including adding some modern light fixtures perhaps. Gorgeous house and beautiful woodwork as is!
I wish my "fixer-upper" had looked like that in the beginning!! :) you are very lucky! I would be more focused on making sure all of the underneath, (inside the walls, plumbing that needs to be replaced, electrical, etc) be dealt with first!

I have just finished a project just like yours in. We used a modern / organic aesthetic by reusing as much material as possible (door casing and flooring). We added simple modern forms made out of organic materials (wood, glass & stone). It looks fantastic and has a personal eclectic feel to that you would not get with the clean modern look or a historic restoration. I would say, do what looks and feels good. Go for it.

I wlll slit my throat if you even think about painting that woodwork. Modern paint colors, contemporary light fixtures, transitional furniture and you have a beautiful wabi-sabi home. Are you going to be able to save the floors also??

m3459, my feelings exactly! Once you paint it, it is almost impossible to undo. Bright modern colors with the wood will look fabulous. Also, think of resale. If you paint the woodwork, the next buyer is going to want it unpainted and that will definitely affect the re-sale of this house. When I was looking for an old home to buy, I looked at one where the owners had painted all of that beautiful woodwork BUBBLEGUM PINK! Really! Everyone has different taste, but I almost wanted to cry when the realtor showed me that house. Needless to say, I did not buy it!

I think leaving the wood and mixing modern with organic looks great. A designer can help you pull it together beautifully. This photo is a great example to me.

m3489. You're cracking me up. :)

We have an 1850s house with similar original woodwork everywhere, and like you, I was determined to get rid of it when we first moved in. "Advice" from "experts" swung from "don't you dare change a thing!" to "it's your house, it's not unique, so do what you want to make it yours."

In the end we haven't painted the woodwork, but we have changed the wall colours a few times. I'm still tempted to paint the dark woodwork in the dark winter months, but then I figure if I don't hate it THAT much, why go to all the trouble!

I would definitely advise you to live with it for a full year - all four seasons, with all the varying lights and shadows, so you get a good feel for the place.

These old houses weren't built in a flash like they are nowadays. Builders had a better understanding of the effects of shifting light, breezes, climate, etc, and built accordingly, and you may find that the way it is now will suit you surprisingly well. Just give it time. :)

Four significant things that will make a difference - curate the walls as if it was a museum - large modern paintings / canvas prints / some abstracts thrown in with art lighting will do a lot. You want neutrals, grays and whites .. . and terrific rugs (though they can be classic orientals / persians or great contemporary choices either way) Three paint colors for you to test (for walls) since you are thinking gray - against your woodwork (or if you darken it) these will resonate well.
Ben Moore's Senora Gray, Brushed Aluminum and (you need a white) Marble white -
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/senoragray
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/brushedaluminum
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/marblewhite#ce_s=white

Stick with the platinum grays / warm grays rather than cool ones - in fabrics too. They sing harmony with the undertone of the wood. You might prefer to stick with all neutrals in furnishings and upholstery / favor nickel tones over brass or bronze and let only the art carry color .. . . then you need to pay more attention to texture - select high texture fabrics for this, but the result is very serene . . . . . beautiful rooms, woodwork . . congratulations and thank you for inviting us over to kibbitz!

If I were you I wouldn't be tempted to put pot lighting in. It will look as dated in 25 yeas as the drop ceiling looks dated today.

Make that stunning woodwork the star - take your time to make good decisions in keeping with the direction of enhancing, not remodeling.

The rooms are large enough and interesting enough to support many styles. I've had two similar homes...

Gorgeous!

Thank you everyone!! I must say I really like 0825Sam's suggestions. He suggested staining the woodwork darker...which I really like, but I don't want anyone killing themselves over even the thought of me painting it (LOL)...so rest quietly tonight, I give my word. ;) Now...I'm not going to change much of the layout but I am getting rid of the wall that separates the kitchen from the middle room-which isn't a dining room...not sure what it's meant to be, as well as the wall that separates the kitchen from the pantry. I think you will all agree on that choice-but you'll just have to wait for those "after" pics!

My suggestion would be to first strip all the wallpaper in the house and paint all the walls a nice shade of white. Then move in and let you design plan grow organically, including wall colors. You may even find that you love all white walls and they accent the wood and (hopefully) some lovely, modern artwork.

Believe me, I'm a color fanatic, but I'm actually seeing white here.

Strip the wallpaper and paint the walls. I have purchased two homes that had old oak steps and old woodwork. I sat and for hours removed all the paint coats overs the wood and refinshed it all. Then I sold the house a year later. Even in the home I have now I refinhsed the railing. (That I still hate) Back to the wood from cracking white paint. You can do it and go slow and staytrue to what you want. The wood work is gorgeous though. Good luck with your new home. I hope you have many happy years there. I love the greek key in the floor etc. This could all be so great when done.

I like your new house very much.

I agree with the suggestion to remove the wallpaper. Be aware that it might have arsenic in it if it is very old, and take appropriate precautions.

I think I would paint all of the walls a light neutral color to start with, and live in the house for up to a year before making huge changes. That being said, the decor of my great grandmother's parlor was gray and gold.

I do not agree with staining the wood darker. I think the color it is now is beautiful.

I am looking forward to future photos of your house.

OMG!!! gorgeous home! beautiful woodwork. I think you can put color in the walls and add some contemporary pieces to reflect an eclectic look, and satisfy your thirst for modern. ( I would remove all the wallpaper and paint...) You can also tweak it with an awesome collection of art.

Ok...it's only been about a year, but here's some updated photos! I personally demo'd the floors in the kitchen, revealing nice hardwood, yet when I tore down a wall to expand the kitchen the floors didn't match. I was bummed at first but I salvaged the wood, used it to fix the floors in the foyer and the upstairs! We are almost finished...but I'm still working on the upstairs.

"Before" Kitchen pics...

"After" Kitchen pics...still working on it...need one last set of cabinets, but overall, close. We went with Marble floor tiles and we made our own counter tops from chalkboards we salvaged from an old school demo. We also used the wood from the school to build the cabinets.

Nice. Can you show more pics of the wood trim work? DId you finish the wood darker? I'd really like to see how the wood looks against the new painted walls?

I actually think painting the trim all white would look nice, but I'd like to just see how the original wood would be

Very nice-Lovely kitchen! Nice to see a thread with a happy ending!

What color did you go on the wood trim? I think white looks a lot nicer, crisper, fresher. But I know a lot of people are against white over wood.

In order to animate your rooms, modernize the palette, and respect the wood trim I suggest a soft palette of grays and taupes and tans , changing from room to room. This is a counter intuitive idea I'd never suggest normally but it will take the focus off the wood and put it on the spaces. They must be mostly the same depth and value, but there is room to alter that with a charcoal or deep rich taupe for drama in a dining room for instance or a bright white with stainless touches in a dark hall. I know it's a radical departure from modernist credo but it will help bridge the gap between modern furniture and the style of the house.

I would stay away from any furniture or accents that are the age of the house because you need the contrast to keep it modern and it could get confusing and disjointed. Good luck with your beautiful house!

Great response CRAIG. I'm very visual. Do u have any pictures to explain that blend of modern to historic? :-)

So...here's a couple of pics with the wood trim, left unpainted. Before and after

Here's a better photo of the wood work. I can't bring myself to paint it...and I think it's in good shape.

I feel you awbuckeye. I think yours is beautiful. Actually much nicer than the one I'm trying to fix up to resell. Yours is much more detailed so that would be messed up to paint over all that gorgeous detailing in the wood.
I also like modern (and chic/funky/eclectic/new/fresh/crisp) so I'm struggling with painting over some craftsman trim. But mine house in no way as detailed as yours

I like how your furniture works in that historic room. Have you done anything with the lovely fireplace yet?

Please post more pics as you go along It is inspiring!!! :)

Thanks for the suggestions Craig! I just might paint my dining room something you suggested. My whole house is white...which I love, but I think a dark grey might just look great!! I do like to match modern furniture with more traditional...so I'll post pics with the mix and see what ya think. Thanks intellinside for the comments!

Beautiful!

Just beautiful and the leadlight window wow. I love sage green with timber, grey used too much

Just some pics to see how it can work out, all the best, looks like a great project

what paint color is that?

This so reminds me of my 1904 home in St. Paul. Loved all the beautiful old woodwork but glad to have moved (crummy neighborhood). Your place looks great so far- love the new kitchen!

Hello,

This design dilemma is very interesting and while most people would have no problem covering up the old charm of a house, it's great that you acknowledge these historic details. Definitely embrace these aspects of your home and don't paint over them. Instead add modern pieces that complements the older design without contrasting it.

When it comes to aging walls or paint, if they need a fresh coat you can always have someone faux paint the walls so you're not covering up the details of older furnishings but rather making them stand out.

Hope this helps!

http://theinteriorproject.com

Yes definitely keep all of the stained woodwork... Paint the walls a soft beige, gray, blue or green...your choice.