How to Personalize a Historic Home

• Always be on the lookout for room elements. You never know when and where you will find that perfect piece to complete a room. “We found a couple of large furniture pieces on the side of the road that we refinished and painted to match the rest of our décor,” Carolyn says.

• Enlist helpers. Chances are you have friends and relatives who specialize in an aspect of construction or artistry. Invite them to share their skills in your new home—with the promise of a pizza party! “My brother came up with all the trim and baseboard configurations in the boys’ wing, bathrooms, kitchen and mudroom and closely replicated what was original in the house,” Carolyn says. “From there, we had a friend come in and refinish all of the floors.”

• Showcase your collections. The most effective way to feel at home in your house is to display your favorite possessions. “Craig wanted his guitars displayed in our family room, which added a nice pop of color to a neutral palette,” Carolyn says.