When you think of an old house – you may envision rotting siding, squeaky floor boards, and bats in the attic. While these may very well be a reality, there are plenty of merits that old homes have to offer. The seven charming old house details I’m about to share may have you rethinking your…
Queen Anne Victorian Welcome to another installment in the ELEMENTS OF HOME series. Each month I showcase a different residential style here on the blog. It is my hope that this information will not only teach you a little something about the various styles; but also equip you if are designing or searching for a…
What should you do when your child outgrows his/her crib? Consider re-purposing it into an adorable DIY toddler bed, using this simple tutorial. Not many moments spark the same amounts of joy and sadness as when the youngest child of the family finally outgrows the crib. With the celebratory occasion of assembling the ‘big…
Around here we have been… WATCHING {D} as he learns to play basketball. He was nervous going into the season, not having any prior experience; But he has grown in confidence and skill. The moment he scored his first ever two-pointer he was beaming with pride. We are proud of the hustle and persistence he…
The Makeover Takeover series focuses on helping my readers with bits of their own homes that are giving them challenges. Whether it is a room that they want guidance on styling, a floor plan that needs re-configuring, or they are stumbling with choosing an exterior color palette, I am happy to help. I offer solutions…
You’re in for a treat today friends! The Reader Showcase is where I feature the homes and home projects that my readers have tackled. I am constantly amazed at the talent and varied styles that each person has to offer! Today’s talent is no exception. I first met Minna on Instagram. She posted photos of…
If you share your home with children, you know that they are little art making machines. There is something so precious about your child’s creativity and imagination that you just want to bottle it up and save it for all time. Even still, it can be quite overwhelming trying to figure out what to do…
A front entrance for guests is a great feature to add to any home. It doesn’t need to be a large space, but having it laid out well is important. Today I am sharing the front entryway design ideas I have for Arrow Hill Cottage. Although our home will have an attached garage, and our…
Nobody loves your house like you do. Nobody. Even if that house is still lines on a page – it will never bear the same emotional connection to anyone other than you and those who will reside under it’s roof. Whether you are looking for someone to build your dream house or need an extra…
This no sew textured pillow is extremely simple to make and looks great! If you can braid and tie a knot, you can make it. I’ll show you how! I mentioned this textured pillow in a recent post about our home’s Christmas decorations. The pillow went perfectly with the rest of the festive green…
I add fire place surround to my new addition. It’s 1910 carved with pillars, carving and a mirror. I also replace the Formica counter that were fading with wood counters and bead board backsplash. The house was small and needed a touch of warmth and craftsmanship. Just a note. My ceilings were textured, but it was venician, hand applied, plaster. Which is not blown on popcorn. It’s beautiful, don’t get rid of it!
I just love all the elements of older homes that you selected! Your article is full of beautiful pictures!!
I live in a house that was built in 1900. I wonder where I could buy the lamp on the ceiling of the breakfast nook. Thank you in advance.
Hi Emily! I’m glad you enjoyed the article and found it inspiring! Though I do not have source links for any of the items featured in the article, I did find a light that does look similar to the picture you mention:https://www.barnlight.com/lighting/barn-lights/discount/farm-and-barn-warehouse-pendant/?rebuild=1&o22134=218122&o22129=218072&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYGGBhCTARIsAHdMTQyKrFQEbPYMsda1SF2imFszP5eyhrUGBbEHXtraRz_nD2A4pMUmQ48aAoElEALw_wcB
You can find more options by doing a search with terms such as (white industrial vintage style pendant light). Happy hunting!
Angela
I love the ingle nook & reading nook also the staircase.
I do too! wouldn’t it be so fun to have an ingle nook? Such a cozy spot!
Just found your site? I have a question for you the kitchen named “Bedboard ceiling” my question is, over the island lighting did you make it or purchased them. We are going to incorporate a early 1900 soda fountain station for part of our island and was looking for unique overhead lighting. We love reclaiming items last year we reclaimed window molding from an 1840 house and just incorporated in a new addition that we have also tin ceiling for the back of our woodstove and an 1800 parlor stove for that room. Would love to share photos but not sure how to.
Hi Nancy! Glad you found the site!
The photo that you are referencing has a link below that will take you to the original source. It appears to me that the light fixtures you are asking about are indeed a DIY project. Here is a close up view + write up that I found: https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/go-green-with-a-recycled-kitchen-pictures
Your house sounds beautiful! It sounds like you have put a lot of thought and love into it – which is just what a house needs! 🙂
I am in love with older homes, my heart skipped a beat at all of your photos. I think I must have lived in another time, lol.
Old homes have SO much character! It’s almost as if they have personalities!
Have an old country farm house 100 years old. Can I take it apart and use material to construct another house?
It’s definitely possible to reclaim many of the materials from an old home. However, the cost and time/patience required can be overwhelming for most people. If I were you I would contact some local contractors in your area and ask them about this endeavor, and get their thoughts. If nothing else, definitely save some of the more prominent details if you can (a stair newel post, fireplace mantle, built in furniture, baseboard trim, etc). Good luck!
That particular “buffet” was actually a Butler’s pantry. It resides in the private kitchen area. Not in the dining room.
It’s gorgeous. I love the patina!
What a gracious way to respond to an ungenerous post. I thought the *buffet* was gorgeous, too.
Love them all. I’m just an old house type person!
I love all the classic details too! So timeless!
Breakfast nook and herringbone flooring. To die for.
I agree! Both are incredible!
Loved the reading nook.
isn’t it great? Wish I had one!
There are bit and pieces of each of the photos that I would love to have in a home – ship-lap, reading nook, chandeliers, bead-board, built-in pieces, herringbone design in the flooring \ showers, a beautiful fireplace, leaded glass windows, to name just a few. There are just soooo many wonderful ideas that it is hard to narrow down my wants in order to fit my budget. How would you suggest that my dream house could be built with my budget in mind ?
Oh goodness, YES! A person could spend a fortune on all these details. Isn’t it crazy to think that many of these old houses with all their woodwork and special features could be built for just a fraction of the cost that a new home is today?
If you are wanting to incorporate old house details, but budget is a concern (isn’t it for almost everyone?!) I would suggest including the features that are not easy to change later. For example: chandeliers, bead board, and even fireplaces can be more easily added later… whereas planning for a reading nook or a specialty floor would need to happen more upfront during the construction process.
I’d love a banquet (spelling?) in my tiny condo eating area in the mountains. I’ve only got about 7-8 feet to work with along the large wall. The small wall is about 4 feet but there’s a wall heater there.
Banquette seating really does save a lot of floor space! I hope you can figure out a way to make it work!