Do you have a vintage home? Just because your home was built in the 20’s or 30’s doesn’t mean it’s not to be considered historic. Houses from this period and earlier have a certain character and craftsmanship which make them stand out as unique, but only if they are portrayed a certain way. You don't need to be a history lover to follow the suggestions stated in this web site. All you need is the desire to make your home more beautiful.

As each day passes we lose more of our history not by the wrecking ball but by innocent homeowners restoring or maintaining their own home. An overwhelming majority of houses I have seen have been victimized through what some call “upgrading”. My interest lies in preventing the many injustices from occurring to old houses. Most homeowners are not knowledgeable in old house restoration or the possible injustices they may create to their home by becoming victims to manufacturers, contractors, and handymen who they depend upon so very much. By informing the homeowner, many of these architectural crimes can be avoided.

Did you ever take the time to notice a house which is similar to yours but happens to have more character or depth to it? If your answer is yes, there is a reason. There are certain features on any old house which need to be displayed correctly to give your home the appearance it was designed to have.

Years ago, buildings were pedestrian friendly, meaning houses were viewed by foot or carriage passing at a slower speed. This slower speed lent the viewer more time to notice the beauty of a house and enabled it to be viewed in its own setting whereby all its architectural details were able to work together to portray a certain feeling. Jonathan Hale, an architect explains this in his book The Old Way of Seeing .
There is an interplay of shapes and shadows that impress the viewer first - not the details - and these communicate directly with your eye and mind. These features on buildings constructed years ago will guide the eye to see particular parts in order to make associations that give the building vitality, harmony and interest. Don't believe it? Try looking at an old church without gazing up the steeple. *

Unfortunately, over the years, through insensitive alterations, many homes have already lost their appeal. To remedy these mistakes, more and more remodeling followed which only separated the house that much further from its potential beauty. I will touch upon some key elements which have the greatest impact on the appearance of your home, and how you can recapture that lost character that once graced your neighborhood.

* Gordon Bock - The Old House Journal

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