Cozy up your home with historic charm By Mary Carol Garrity for Hometown magazine
M
ost of us go to great lengths and spend lots of money to keep the telltale signs of aging at bay. But when it comes to our homes, my philosophy is, the older it looks, the better it is. there's nothing i like better than a home filled with historic charm. if you're in love with the romantic look of yesteryear but live in a house that's newer, take heart. it's easy to fill your home with vintage character. all you need is a few tricks to make your dwelling resemble the historic beauties that make you swoon. sET your coursE Before you try to take your home back in time, make sure you've got the right destination in mind. is your new home built to resemble a craftsman bungalow? a tuscan villa? a French country chateau? an early american colonial? it's key that every historic upgrade you add is in keeping with the established style and time period of your home. But if your home's exterior style doesn't appear to fall into any particular classification, you're free to take it any direction you like, as long as the changes you add harmonize with the home's overall look. EXTrEME MaKEoVEr Don't ever start a home makeover without first determining how major your renovations will be. Do you want to go for it and invest oodles of time, money and patience into a major renovation that will make your home look like it should be on the national historic register? if so, do your research so your changes look historically authentic. Save photos of historic homes that have features you love, like built-in bookcases and window seats, so you can replicate them in your home's final design. Consider hiring an architect who specializes in making new homes look old. rooM rEdo thankfully, you don't have to completely renovate your home to give it a historic feel. you'd be amazed by how much character you can add through a
few Diy projects that take a weekend. how about paneling the walls or ceiling of your main-level powder room with charming bead board? add deep crown molding to your living room. replace your ho-hum dining-room light fixture with one that's been salvaged from a home built in the era you're trying to mimic. install subway tile for your kitchen backsplash. age your master bathroom with a claw-foot tub and a pedestal sink, complete with old-fashioned looking fixtures. a QuicK coZyinG uP if you break out in hives at the thought of home fix-it projects, don't worry. there are lots of ways to cozy up your castle without breaking out the toolbox. First, create the right backdrop. Cover your walls with a wonderful classic paint color or wallpaper pattern that reflects the style popular in the era you're trying to replicate. then, set the stage by choosing antique or reproduction furniture pieces that match the mood you're going for. Be sure to pick textiles that are authentic with the time period. today's fabric makers are beginning to reproduce some of the beautiful patterns of yesteryear, and these textiles are ideal for curtain panels, furniture upholstery and bedding. a friend of mine transformed the look of her contemporary townhouse by using a killer fabric to make lush drapes, which she hung on either side of the hallway leading back to the bedrooms. art is a shockingly easy way to take your home back in time. Scout around at flea markets or antique stores for great finds like old portraits, landscapes and botanicals. Finally, don't forget the accents. Select pieces that reflect the historic charm you love, like old books and boxes, vintage glass vases and compotes, and charming old dishes. Mary Carol Garrity is the proprietor of three successful home furnishings stores in Atchison, Kan., and the author of several best-selling books on home decorating. Write to Mary Carol at nellhills@mail.lvnworth.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com •••
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