With inventory limited, move in ready homes at a premium and more and more new construction filling up the market, there is a trade off thats becoming more common - buying new instead of old.
It used to be that first time buyers would have to buy an old house and spend time and money fixing it up. And while thats still a common option, I'm seeing more first time buyers buying new construction, often townhomes, or homes with less "character" than they would prefer. While making old new is more of a common theme in renovation stories, we are seeing more people have to make new look old to add the touches of warmth, history and place that so many people crave.
But how do you make a new construction townhome with builder-grade finishes look like something with history?
I'm sharing some great starting ideas and some of the people who have done it best!
Add architecture
Ornamental architecture additions might be one of the biggest-impacts to making a new house feel old.
Adding an antique fireplace mantle (like Joseph Maine did here) or adding rustic beams to a ceiling, can be relatively inexpensive things that add a big wow factor and help make a space feel older.
Other things to think about - adding antique stair balusters,
Add old world trims
Paneling, shiplap, reclaimed wood, picture molding, chunky base boards and enhanced window trims are all key elements of older homes. Use a few throughout the house to make sure you are evoking a certain era and not a plethora of DIY projects.
Bring in antiques
No one will notice the kitchen cabinets are painted builder grade if you have a large antique wood island. Its harder to feel how new a bathroom is when an old wooden chair is used to hold towels. A living room feels less modern with an antique dresser in the corner.
P.s. Even if your goal isn't to make your space feel like its full of history, its always a good idea to add found or vintage items to a space to keep it from feeling too "catalogue-y"
Be Choosy with Paint
Yes, you can paint an old house with any color, but to invoke an old world feeling, keeping with traditional and rich colors is key. Even paints with depth or texture, like chalk paint, can be used to look like plaster.
When remodeling, use classic surfaces
Redoing your kitchen or bathroom is a good opportunity to bring in old world elements. Instead of opting for granite or quartz, look at marble or soapstone OR surfaces that mock these products. Use wood cabinets, real metal hardware, copper or mirrored surfaces, salvaged tile, stone or brick floors, etc.
Here are some of my favorites who are doing this right now -
Chris Loves Julia - They don't always go overkill on history, but they definitely have consistently taken builder-grade spaces and added warmth and a sense of place. They also tend to spend a lot of money on a space, so not a great DIY blog but great for ideas - like their most recent workspace renovation
https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/the-desk-nook-before-and-after-plus-how-to-install-a-floating-desk
The Old Silver Shed - Another one where money isn't a limiting factor, but great for ideas. While the original house is there, most of its new but they kept the old world feel
www.instagram.com/oldsilvershed
The Goodman House - a new construction house, albeit made to resemble an old farmhouse. A more modern take on things but great ideas for adding wamrth and character to a new space
www.instagram.com/thegoodmanhouse
Cass Makes Home - A wonderful example of a DIY learning and grit but this woman has turned her newer-build house into a more storied home
www.cassmakeshome.com
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