Restoring Your Historic House The Comprehensive Guide For Homeowners

Although there are other books about renovating old houses, this is the first that prioritizes the identification and preservation of the historic, character-defining features of a house as a starting point in the process. That is the purpose of this book: to describe and illustrate a best-practices approach for updating historic homes for modern life in ways that do not attempt to turn an old house into a new one. The book also suggests many ways to save money in the process, without settling for cheap or inappropriate solutions. Scott Hanson is a historic-building preservation professional and has 40 years' experience rehabilitating historic houses. He has illustrated this authoritative book with hundreds of step-by-step photos, illustrations, charts, and decision-making guides. Interspersed throughout are photo essays of 13 restored historic houses representing a range of periods and architectural styles: Italianate, Victorian, Queen Anne, Federal, Colonial, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Ranch, Adobe, Craftsman, Shingle, and Rustic. With interior and exterior photography by David Clough, these multi-page features show what can be achieved when a historic home is renovated with a desire to preserve or restore as much historic character as possible.

A house is considered historic if it is typical of its period, usually more that 50 years old, and significant in either design, materials, workmanship, setting, and/or association. This work provides advice on the ongoing care and maintenance of such properties, and in the preservation of the qualities which make such homes unique.

How to turn an old home into a jewel on the block. What do a fashion mogul, a Williams-Sonoma executive, a museum curator, and a design-savvy actress have in common? Good taste, of course, but more than that: a shared passion to "bring back," to carefully restore and artfully embellish, their houses. They are among the twenty-one real-life renovations featured in this essential resource—from stately town houses to brownstone fixer-uppers—to give the true experience of creating an urban oasis on any street. Whether hunting for rare chandeliers, salvaging floorboards for new tabletops, or removing walls to let more light in, all the nuts and bolts of restoration are here. In Boston, a young family's renovation takes three years and includes every modern amenity (a media room, home gym, elevator), but saves most of the original interiors (window shutters and seats, marble fireplaces). A Baltimore couple—both stars of the graphic design world—must reconcile their cutting-edge tastes with their traditional surrounds. From furniture and color to rooftops and terraces, Restoring a House in the City offers a treasury of inspiration and ideas, as well as a lavish illustrated tour of some of the best done renovations in the business.

Old houses are charming, but owning one can be a labor of love. Expert carpenter and house "doctor" Christopher Evers equates old homes with ailing patients, describing how you can successfully "treat" your old house and make it good as new. With over 300 clear, line illustrations, Evers provides a practical guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving your old house--basement to attic--so you can enjoy it for years to come. Evers gives detailed instructions on the "anatomy" of old homes as well as how to fix a variety of problems, including: Repairing old plumbing fixtures Replacing shingles on the roof Straightening the house’s frame Rewiring old electrical systems Removing old wallpaper Protecting against termites and other harmful pests Adding insulation for better energy efficiency Fixing old eaves Reinstalling windows and doors And more! A classic in old-home repair, The Old-House Doctor is an invaluable, and timeless, guide for keeping your old home in tip-top shape, while meeting your modern needs.

Over three hundred photographs and diagrams provide examples for remodeling older homes.

Provides advice for adding additions to older homes, considering balance, transition, public versus private space, and materials; and including photographs, floor plans, and illustrations.

1. Dwelling, Remodeling 2. Dwellings - Maintenance and repair.

This guide combines historical information with design ideas and advice on how to decorate, renovate and maintain a vintage home.