Building Character with

Do you daydream about buying and restoring an antique home? As romantic as this notion may sound, lovers of old houses often follow a different path and build a new home that recalls yesteryear but incorporates elements needed for today’s lifestyle. Terri advocates this old house, new house balancing act and says, “Period homes never go out of style.” Reflecting on her own experience with designing and building a home with an eye on the past, Terri offers these helpful tips:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Become fluent in architectural styles. Visit house museums, read architectural history books, gather images and take notes.

CREATE A WISH LIST.

Fill a three-ring binder with information about windows, doors, flooring, lighting, millwork, plumbing, historic paint colors, wallpaper, window treatments and furnishings.

COLLABORATE WITH EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS.

Hire an architect or architectural designer. Select a contractor who specializes in period-reproduction construction.

Check references.

CONSIDER ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE.

Visit a salvage venue near your home and explore their inventory. Weave antique building materials, such as doors, windows, sinks and tubs, into your design.

RESEARCH PERIOD-REPRODUCTION VENDORS.

Locate companies that sell items such as cabinet hardware and light switches designed specifically for Colonial-era homes. Visit their websites and bookmark products suited for your project.

“Sewing allows you to choose fabrics and put your own personal creativity into a project.”

Left: Terri sewed the valance and window-seat cushion that cozy up this corner of the bedroom. By introducing a wing chair, table and lamp to the space, she formed a lovely resting area.

Above: To evoke the simple elegance associated with the Colonial era, Terri furnished the master bedroom with a four-poster rope bed dressed in vintage linens. For a touch of whimsy, she repurposed a door lintel as a wall shelf. Sconces with linen shades above the pine nightstands and a chandelier near the foot of the bed imbue the room with soft light.