Renovate older home with original charm in mind
Not every home renovation is a complete do-over. In fact, some projects are more about preserving the character and charm of the original structure than making everything shiny and new.
A self-taught home rehabber, licensed real estate agent and designer, Nicole Curtis, star of HGTV’s Rehab Addict, has made an art of introducing the comforts and conveniences of modern living while restoring homes to their former glory.
Whether you’re giving new life to a historic treasure or simply sprucing up a more modern home, there are many ways to retain features that keep the integrity of the original design intact while keeping your renovation budget under control.
FLOORING Updating tired, worn flooring is an important way to make a room feel fresh and inviting.
Much like fashion trends come and go, so do popular styles for home decor. The dingy carpet you can’t wait to tear out may actually be covering a hidden gem — original hardwood floors.
Many homeowners rush to rip out old flooring at the first sign of damage, Curtis said.
Her advice is to approach your renovation with a “What can I save?” rather than a “What can I lose?” mentality.
Damaged sections of wood flooring can be patched using reclaimed wood from other parts of the house, or even from the attic. A good sanding and a fresh coat of stain can leave you with a beautifully imperfect surface, filled with character that simply can’t be bought.
HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS Adding a temperature-control system to a home or considering how to integrate an addition into an existing system can be a daunting proposition.
In those cases, not only is a ductless system one of the easiest options for improved home comfort, but such a system also preserves the existing structure and architectural integrity of a home.
“No ductwork makes my life so much easier,” Curtis said. “There’s less time and money spent on finding ductwork space and installing the systems, so we no longer have to sacrifice design.”
Installing a ductless system, such as those offered by Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating, is a simple solution for eliminating window units and baseboard heaters, which detract from the beauty and architectural essence of your home. There’s no need to tear through or lower ceilings to make space for ducts, and no messy demolition is required.
The complete line of energy-efficient ductless systems from Mitsubishi Electric provides individual temperature control for specific temperatures in each room, installation flexibility and quiet operation — all features that are not
KITCHEN AND BATH Two rooms that see the greatest attention in home makeovers are the kitchen and bath, and they’re also commonly the most expensive. In some cases, updates are truly necessary to keep pace with matters such as modern plumbing.
But before you make plans to gut a room, consider how you might repurpose the existing contents to fit your needs.
In the kitchen, you may be surprised by how sanding and staining or painting the existing cabinetry transforms the space.
Keep in mind that light-colored cabinets and countertops will make a small kitchen space feel larger, and you can bring pops of color into the room with the backsplash and decor.
Especially if you’re rehabbing an older home, you may have a bathroom without a shower. In most cases, it’s actually fairly simple to convert a claw-foot tub into a combination tub/shower with just a few plumbing improvements and the addition of a shower curtain.
Tired tile and grout may simply need a thorough cleaning, or you may be able to add paint for a fresh look.
Approaching your renovation with a mindset of preserving the original elements as much as you can lets you save money while creating a home with a unique blend of the past and your own modern touches.