7 Tips toDETERMINE WHAT IS HISTORICALLY APPROPRIATE WHEN REDECORATING

1. Start with what’s there.The defining attributes of an architectural form should be celebrated, not hidden. If you own a Craftsman, use the rich neutrals associated with the style, like dark greens and other earthy tones, to honor the style’s simplicity in craftsmanship. 

2. Think twice.Make sure you have a plan before embarking on a redecorating project. Sometimes stripping paint, for example, reveals dozens of layers underneath—tangible remnants of past stories that offer information about your house during specific time periods.

3. Follow the rules.There are countless sources to consult when determining appropriate paint schemes. Many paint companies have separate collections geared toward specific time periods or architectural styles.

4. But don’t be afraid to break some rules, too.Think of how to modernize historic characteristics. For example, paper a wall in a Victorian with a richly flocked pattern, or arrange a Chesterfield in your living room. The interior doesn’t need to look exactly as it did 100 years ago.

5. Be practical.Some amenities that were essential to people a century ago are obsolete today. While we rely more on central heat than fireplaces, for example, the fireplace often had symbolic and aesthetic functions. Consider using the fireplace as a point of decoration, rather than bricking it over. 

6. Check with the experts.If you’d like to consult with an expert before beginning your project, consider checking out your state’s SHPO website (State Historic Preservation Officers). Some will include a database of licensed professionals in the state who can help with preservation needs.

7. Be cost-savy.It’s reasonable to be concerned with prices when determining how to redecorate your house appropriately. Finding pros who specialize in historic renovations will give you options that preserve your house’s architectural integrity and allow your space to feel like home without breaking your budget.

Helpful resources:• Check out this comprehensive guide, compiled for the town of New

Rochelle, New York. It is an excellent and through compilation that steers residents of New Rochelle in the right direction when undertaking renovations in their historic houses.

• Also be sure to look at the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs, which offer overviews on everything from repointing mortar joints to heating, ventilating, and cooling. They even have a brief on rehabilitating interiors.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same in their own communities.

For more information, visit SavingPlaces.org.

Photos courtesy: Photoholic1/Flickr BY-NC-ND 2.0; Elfant-Wissahickon Realtors; Texas Eagle/Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0; Shane/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; Library of Congress; JDH Rosewater/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0; Chris Pirillo/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; Marcusrg/Flickr CC BY 2.0.