How to modernize a vintage house without losing its original charm
There’s just something about older Seattle homes. From classic craftsmans and charming Victorians to midcentury moderns and Hollywood bungalows, the wealth of architectural styles in the Seattle area is a vintage-lover’s dream.
While we love older homes, we recognize that sometimes they need updating. Gorgeous, 100-year-old leaded glass windows can buckle and fail. Plumbing and wiring from the 1950s isn’t always safe or functional. Some pre-war homes had “unfortunate” things done to them in the 1970s and 80s and need restoration to their original style.
Whatever the issue, the key to a successful historic home remodel is to focus on preservation, reuse and restoration.
Budget more for reuse in your vintage home remodel
If reuse is a priority and you have the budget for the extra labor involved, you can ask your contractor to try to save special woodwork, built-ins or cast-iron bathtubs. You can also find period-appropriate replacement pieces from reuse stores like Ballard Reuse, Earthwise Architectural Salvage and Second Use Building Materials.
Vintage-inspired fixtures for period homes
When reuse is impossible, unsafe or just not cost-effective, look for new, vintage-inspired pieces from retailers like Schoolhouse or Rejuvenation. Whether you’re working with an in-house design team at a firm like Axiom or DIY-ing it, aim for a blend of old and new when you’re picking your fixtures and design elements.
Some general tips for maintaining your home’s character:
- Try to find period-appropriate fixtures for kitchens and baths, including sinks, bathtubs and toilets. Even big box retailers often have vintage-inspired fixtures that will look at home in your older house.
- Reproduction and vintage-inspired appliances do exist, and if you have the budget for them, they can add color and style to your kitchen update.
- Incorporate vintage-inspired design elements, like subway tile, classic cabinetry, chandeliers and sconce lighting.
- Choose period-appropriate paint colors or opt for wallpaper. For the commitment-phobic, there are countless peel-and-stick wallpaper options these days.
- If you’re planning on altering the layout and creating more open spaces, consider adding French doors or large pocket doors to maintain the aesthetic and possibility of divided rooms while getting the open feeling you’re after.
- Use wireless smart home technology to avoid having to go into original plaster walls.
- Visit second-hand stores and antique shops to find unique vintage décor, furnishings and design elements.
Finally, work with designers and contractors who understand older homes and preservation techniques. Explore their portfolio of past projects or ask to see examples of what they’ve done with older homes.
To explore some of Axiom’s vintage home remodels, go here
If you’d like to start planning your own Seattle remodel, reach out!