We all look for inspiration when we decide to restore our homes. You might want to include a Pinterest-worthy reading nook, a cozy exposed brick wall, or maybe just keep the original charm intact. But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. Restoring any home takes effort, and when it’s a historic one, you’ve got layers of time (and sometimes mystery wallpaper) to deal with.
That’s why we decided to take a scroll through the Facebook page ‘Restoring Your Historic House,’ a community dedicated to preserving and celebrating the beauty of older homes. From careful craftsmanship to heartwarming before-and-afters, this page is full of real stories and renovation magic. Keep scrolling to be totally mesmerized; you might just fall in love with these homes.
#1
Before & After ~ Remarkable Restoration.
This lovely house in the Italianate style is located at 3514 21st Street in San Francisco. Its façade was stripped of ornament and "modernized" with a severe stucco treatment in the 1950s. The dramatic restoration was done in the 1970s. It is a great example of what can be done with determination and care.
The before photo from the 1970s is on the OpenSFHistory.org website. It was taken by writer, researcher, and educator Judith Lynch, who took thousands of color slides of San Francisco architecture in the 1970s. The recent photo was taken by Tom Leach, who lives on the street and does amazing restorations, although this is not one of his projects. Check out his work at handdrawnsanfrancisco on Instagram.
This project, done 50 years ago, was an early restoration of a Victorian-era building. Preservationists in San Francisco were leaders in advocating an appreciation for Victorian architecture at a time when both Modernists and lovers of colonial-era buildings disparaged it. Advocates of Mid-Century Modern are in a similar place today.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people who want to restore a house with sensitivity to its character-defining features - whatever era it comes from.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online bookshop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
77points
#2
Before & After ~ Finding Hidden Treasure in New Orleans.
I spotted this project underway in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans in 2023. It is an excellent example of how past alterations often hide important character-defining features under modern finishes -waiting to be rediscovered and restored. I got the photo of the nearly completed project when I was there in January this year.
The image on the left is from Google Streetview and shows the house before selective demo exposed what remained hidden - essentially the entire historic double gallery (porch) with turned, scroll-cut, and stick and bead trim elements. Other than the second-story railing, it was all still there, including the wonderful brackets supporting the gallery roof.
How to analyze changes to a house over time for clues to what might be hidden is covered in Chapters 2 and 3 of "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners." Chapter 6 addresses selective demolition and how to uncover hidden historic elements without destroying them.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling hardcover book are available from the author in our shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
65points
#3
Before & After ~ Restoring the Frank P. Glazier House wrap-around porch.
This is a beautiful example of what is possible with determination and commitment. Before: Chelsea Tax Assessor. After: Charles Reinhart Company.
Once the home of Chelsea, Michigan's most famous citizen, the Queen Anne style house had spent decades divided into apartments before being restored as a single-family home. The restoration took 14 years, with a good deal of the work done by the owners. You can read more about it in this "Community Observer" article: http://ow.ly/CO5i50N1UJe.
This real estate listing from several years ago has dozens of interior and exterior photos of the restored house: http://ow.ly/LRHA50N1UJj
The restoration was done in phases. These images show the dramatic difference made by reopening and restoring the porch that had been enclosed to make an apartment in the 1970s.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people who want to restore a house with sensitivity to its character-defining features. All aspects of the process are covered, from finding the right house for you to painting and wallpaper.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book Combo Packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
58points
Restoring a historic home isn’t as simple as giving it a fresh coat of paint or swapping out the fixtures. It’s about respecting the character and craftsmanship of the original design. Unlike modern renovations, this kind of project often means hours of research, sourcing authentic materials, and maybe even decoding old blueprints. There’s also the added complexity of navigating permits and regulations that apply only to historic structures.
#4
Before & After ~ San Francisco Italianate in 1974 and Today.
The "before" photo was taken in 1974 by Judith Lynch, who documented the condition of many Victorian houses before they were restored. Many of her photos can be found on OpenSFHistory.org. The current photo is from SFARMLS.
This beautiful Italianate style house in the Dolores Heights neighborhood of San Francisco was stripped of its Victorian ornament and covered in fake brick asphalt siding in the post-WWII period.
Fortunately, subsequent generations have learned to appreciate Victorian architecture, and the house has been restored to its original appearance based on physical evidence under the asphalt siding.
The current paint scheme is not exactly period correct, but it is pretty close. More importantly, the house has had its character and proportions restored with the return of its frieze, cornice, and other trim elements.
Italianate is one of 25 styles and types described and illustrated with hundreds of color photos in Chapter 2 of "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners."
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
55points
#5
Before and After ~ Federal style Mississippi house.
The dramatic restoration of Laurietta, an 1825 Federal style plantation house, illustrates what is possible with a thoughtful and careful approach to restoring historic houses. You can see that original materials and features were retained and restored where possible and missing elements were replaced with compatible materials, taking design cues from the style and period of the house.
These Southern houses are now recognized as the work of skilled enslaved craftsmen in many cases, monuments to those who built them as much as those who owned them.
The new owners/restorers were fortunate to find that the Historic Natchez Foundation had salvaged and stored a number of architectural elements from the house when it appeared it would not be saved. These were returned to the house for the restoration.
You can read about the project here: https://ow.ly/Holw50Ri4k2
Most restoration projects are not this dramatic but are no less meaningful to the owners and community. No matter your project's scope, you can gain useful inspiration and information in "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners."
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Select preservation titles by other authors are also available in our shop!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
52points
#6
Before & After ~ The D.D. Renner House, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Before photo from Knox Heritage.
Before photo from Knox Heritage.
This George F. Barber-designed house had been cut up into six tiny apartments and lost its tower and entry porch before being restored from the original plans by Knox Heritage in 2007. The non-profit used grant funding for the project and then sold the house to a private owner.
Barber was among the most prolific residential architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with his own publishing company promoting his designs in books and magazines and 30 architects and draftsmen supplying blueprints to customers nationwide. Knoxville was his home and base of operations and contains many Barber-designed buildings.
This Queen Anne house is typical of Barber's work in that style, with a highly complex form, varied materials, and exuberant wood ornament. It is located across the street from Barber's own house in Knoxville.
Understanding what is possible is the first step in planning a restoration. "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help homeowners see the potential and then design and execute the project.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
52points
One of the trickiest parts is finding skilled professionals who understand the language of old houses. It’s not just about experience, it’s about the right kind of experience. You’ll want someone who can tell the difference between Victorian, Colonial, or Craftsman detailing and who knows how to work with original materials.
#7
Before & After ~The Dr. Clarence M. Dodge House in Manchester NH. Craig St. Pierre photos.
Built in 1883-1884, the house's main block was nearly destroyed by a fire in 1886, with minimal damage to the kitchen ell and carriage house. The house was rebuilt. The second owner updated the porch and extended the bay window to the second story, along with some interior alterations in 1896. It has remained remarkably intact since that time but suffered from neglect and deferred maintenance in recent years. When Craig St. Pierre bought it in 2019, the house, ell, and carriage house needed significant work. It was a daunting project to undertake.
In the past four years, Craig has been the Energizer Bunny of historic house rehab, restoring the house's exterior, reclaiming the over-grown landscape, and getting a good start on interior projects - doing much of the work himself. Since the lower photo was taken, he has restored the stained glass windows in the dormers and the cupola on the barn.
I wrote "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" to give people a one-stop, go-to source for information on all historic house rehab and restoration aspects. It has been a pleasure to follow Craig's progress, and gratifying to know that his copy of the book has been well used.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/ and through the shop on this page.
It is the perfect holiday gift for the old house lover on your list!
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
46points
#8
Before & After ~ From Abandoned House to Affordable Workforce Housing!
Before photo: Martin Austermuhle, after: Bright MLS.
This restoration was done in Anacostia, Washington, DC, by the non-profit L’Enfant Trust’s Historic Properties Redevelopment Program. Their mission is historic preservation, focusing on very distressed properties.
The restored houses are sold to moderate-income families such as teachers, health care workers, and government employees that serve the community but are often priced out of the DC’s expensive housing market. You can read more about this organization's impressive work on its website: lenfant.org
Historic preservation is sometimes portrayed as something only the wealthy benefit from, gentrifying neighborhoods and pushing out poor residents, often people of color. While there is some basis for such claims historically, that is far from the whole story.
In-depth research by Place Economics and others has documented that historic districts often contain higher concentrations of affordable housing than other areas of a community. Preservation is not all about the architecturally significant mansions of wealthy people.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" is filled with information to help restore historic houses, whether modest or grand.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book Combo Packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
45points
#9
Before & After ~ Move It or Lose It!
The Alexander Black House, Blacksburg, VA, built in 1897, is a wonderful Queen Anne style house and a great example of what can be done to save a historic house with the right combination of knowledge and other resources. Before photo: Town of Blacksburg. After: Ansel Olson.
Sometimes, the only way to save a house is to move it, as was the case here. When commercial or institutional encroachment leaves a historic house stranded in a context where it is no longer desirable as a home and is likely to be demolished, relocating it to a vacant lot in an appropriate neighborhood can be the right move, so to speak.
The Town of Blacksburg purchased the house and arranged the one-block move after the property was sold for redevelopment. The restoration at its new location included reopening the porch and restoring the missing tower roof. It is now the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Center.
Additional exterior and interior photos can be seen on the architectural firm's website that oversaw the restoration: https://www.glaveandholmes.com/.../alexander-black-house...
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people who want to restore a house with sensitivity to its character-defining features.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/ and through the shop on this page.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
43points
Experts like the Brownstone Boys, Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, point out in a piece for Homes & Gardens that old homes often come with surprises. “If a historic home has fallen into disrepair, it’s so important to take your time, get expert opinions, and arm yourself with as much information as possible. What may seem like a small issue (e.g., a single crack in a wall or some rotten floorboards) can indicate a larger problem that needs to be addressed at the source.”
#10
Before & After ~ Deering Highlands Stick Style.
Vinyl is not final! The owners of this beautiful c. 1890 Stick Style house in Portland, Maine, have stripped off the vinyl siding and restored the original panelized clapboard, shingle, and beadboard siding over the past five years. The "before" photo from the tax assessor's records was taken in 2019. The "after" was taken last May. It has been wonderful to watch this gorgeous house emerge from its boring white plastic wrapper.
I haven't been able to identify the original owner of this house, yet. For much the of the 20th century it was owned by Lilla and D. Kilton Andrew. Mrs. Andrew was a prominent social figure who hosted fund-raising tea parties for various organizations. More than 100 people attended some of these events in the house according to newspaper accounts. The house is several miles from downtown Portland in the Deering Highlands streetcar suburb. Located nearly at the highest point in the neighborhood, it likely has views of the distant harbor from the tower.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" is filled with information to help historic house owners restore their houses - including tips for removing vinyl siding.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online bookshop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
"Restoring Your Historic House" is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
42points
#11
Before & After ~ Recovering from Superstorm Sandy. Before: Patrick Lynnett, after: Liz Roll. Sandy made landfall as an enormous post-tropical cyclone near Brigantine, NJ, in 2012, bringing a massive storm surge along the coast, damaging some 346,000 homes in the state. This historic beach house was swept from its foundation by the surge, sustaining significant damage but remaining largely intact. It was elevated onto a higher foundation that will allow future flood waters to flow under the house, adapting to the reality of climate change and increasing likelihood of future coastal flooding. Coastal communities worldwide are studying how to accommodate rising sea levels and intensifying storms. Many of these communities are grappling with the challenges of preserving historic buildings under these conditions. Elevating buildings is one approach; restoring dunes and building sea walls are among the other approaches to slowing the impact. The least desirable option is to abandon our heritage and allow the sea to claim it. Preservation fights climate change. The embodied energy contained within historic buildings saves carbon compared to building new buildings to replace them. According to the EPA, it takes about 65 years for an energy-efficient new building to save the amount of energy lost in demolishing an existing building. The inherent sustainability of historic houses and improving energy efficiency are addressed in "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners." Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/. © Scott T. Hanson 2024
38points
#12
Before & After ~ The c. 1868 Gile-Harvey House in Readfield, Maine.
This house is an excellent example of what is possible with determination and commitment.
My friend Cornelius Donovan took the before photo of this house several decades ago. Seeing this abandoned house as a teenager started his love of historic houses and preservation. Today, he is restoring a similar Italianate house.
Fortunately, someone else also saw the potential for the Gile-Harvey House and they have spent more than 20 years restoring it beautifully. It is the most prominent house in the village of Readfield, and its restoration has improved the appearance of the whole community.
The Italianate style got a toehold before the Civil War, popularized in part by its use for Queen Victoria's summer retreat, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. It really took off after the war, with examples of the style appearing in all parts of the United States.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people who want to restore a house with sensitivity to its character-defining features.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
36points
It’s tempting to want to modernize everything, but preservation is a balancing act. You want to update essential systems like plumbing and wiring without disrupting the historical integrity of the space. Yes, the house might need a new HVAC system, but that doesn’t mean ripping out original radiators or crown moldings. It’s a dance between safety, comfort, and authenticity, one that requires patience and thoughtful planning.
#13
Before & After ~ 4th of July Edition.
Our nation's history is complicated and our understanding of it incomplete. Historic preservation has an important role in how we can better understand it in the future.
Monticello is a good place to look at this issue. Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence signed July 4, 1776, was its designer and most famous occupant. Sold by his heirs in 1826, it was rescued from decay by the Levy family after the Civil War and became one of America's early historic house museums in 1923.
The grand homes of "Great Men" were the focus of early preservation efforts and their interpretation was exclusively concerned with those men and their families. In recent decades recognition has grown that these buildings are monuments to others as well - those who actually built them, maintained them, and did the labor that paid for it all, often enslaved people.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello has embraced this expanded role, expending significant resources in archeological and documentary research into the many other people who resided at and worked on the plantation, including the large, enslaved population, followed by reinterpretation of the house and grounds for visitors. This includes the history of Sally Hemmings and her family, some of whom were the bi-racial children of Thomas Jefferson.
As a nation, we've made fitful progress on fulfilling the ideals of the document Jefferson drafted in 1776, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Clearly there remains work to be done.
We will continue making progress toward those ideals only by acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of all Americans, past and present while seeking to live up to the principles Jefferson outlined in the Declaration.
Before photo courtesy of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
35points
#14
Before & After ~ From Threatened to Gorgeous.
The 1874 James and Lucinda Bedell House in Tottenville, Staten Island, NY, was at the center of a battle between a community that wanted it preserved and a developer who wanted to tear it down and build four new houses on the lot. It was in very good condition when purchased by the developer who then vandalized it.
The city landmarked the house to save it, and out of spite, the owner removed character-defining trim elements, pulling off the porch with his pickup truck. It looked like the house would be lost. The before photo by Emilio Guerra was taken while it sat vacant for a decade before being restored by a new owner.
The house once again lives up to its landmarking documentation description as "the most beautiful Second Empire house on the south shore of Staten Island."
Fortunately, this house was located in a community that supports historic preservation and is willing to fight to save its history.
I wrote "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" to help people understand what it takes to save a historic house and how to approach the work.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online bookshop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
© Scott t. Hanson 2025.
34points
#15
Before & After ~ The C.J. Chapman Cottage
As the summer season gets underway here on the coast of Maine, it seems appropriate for this Friday's before & after to feature a summer cottage. This towered Queen Anne style cottage was designed by architect John Calvin Stevens and built on a Casco Bay island in Maine in 1892.
Before photo from a private collection. The after photo was taken by noted architectural photographer Dave Clough for a book titled "Homes Down East. Classic Maine Coastal Cottages and Townhouses," which I co-authored with Maine State Historian Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr.
This cottage is called "The Towers," for obvious reasons. By the 1980s, it was sadly neglected but was beautifully restored by new owners who have maintained it in good condition since.
Following the publication of "Homes Down East," the publisher asked if I had any ideas for another book. I did, and the seed for "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was planted.
Having Dave Clough join the project to photograph the 13 featured houses in the book added enormously to the quality of the finished product.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from me in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
32points
Another curveball is the local regulations. Most historic homes are protected by preservation laws that limit what you can change and how. These rules are meant to keep the home’s character intact, but they can add extra steps to your timeline. In some areas, even replacing a window or painting your front door might require board approval. While it may sound like a hassle, these guidelines help maintain the historical fabric of entire neighborhoods.
#16
Before and After ~ A Queen Anne Gem in Conway, Arkansas.
Before: Our Restoration Nation, after: David Hatfield.
This wonderful Queen Anne before and after comes from my friends Laine and Kevin Berry of Our Restoration Nation. They are among my favorite house restorers sharing their projects on social media.
Unlike so-called "reality" TV, Laine and Kevin approach their projects with authentic enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to honoring the historic fabric and character of the houses they take on. They share the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the process, delivered with humility and a great deal of humor. Follow them on Instagram or YouTube!
Laine and Kevin's current restoration project is Hope Farm, in Natchez, Mississippi. The work they are doing there, after the house was nearly destroyed by fire in 2023, is simply outstanding. Follow them and watch the progress happen!
The Arkansas house, now called "Scottie," was condemned and being sold as a tear-down when they rescued it. It's a beautiful example of what is possible when someone cares enough to do the hard and dirty work of saving a threatened house. Be like Laine and Kevin!
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help anyone who wants to restore a house with sensitivity, covering all aspects of the process.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at yourhistorichouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
31points
#17
Mansard Monday Before and After ~ A Second Empire Gem in Carlisle, PA.
This wonderful Second Empire before and after house comes from the This Old House website.
Restored by a young woman with some help from her dad, it is an excellent example of what can be done to save a historic house with the right combination of determination, knowledge, and other resources.
Restored by a young woman with some help from her dad, it is an excellent example of what can be done to save a historic house with the right combination of determination, knowledge, and other resources.
Houses like this one were built in urbanized areas across the US during the second half of the 19th century, providing stylish and comfortable dwellings for middle-class families. Many were neglected after the middle class moved to suburbs outside the urban centers in the mid-20th century. Now, "empty nest" baby boomers and millennials are moving back to cities in large numbers and houses like this are being restored.
Knowing what is possible is the first step toward saving a house that has been neglected. "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people learn what they need to know to undertake such a project.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Want to learn more about historic house styles? "A Field Guide to American Houses," the updated classic by Virginia McAlester, is available in our shop. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book Combo Packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
31points
#18
Before & After ~ San Francisco Stick Style Cottage.
Before photo: Wolfgang Schubert. Link to original image on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/schuberts/3850641274/
This sweet little 1880s Stick Style house in the Richmond District of San Francisco appears to have been built twenty or more years before the larger buildings around it. It is the only one in the area with a deep setback from the sidewalk. The before photo was taken in 2010 and shows the house in seriously neglected condition. The following year, it was sold and restored.
It is a good example of a house that many would have seen as a "tear-down" being beautifully restored to provide desirable housing at far less environmental cost than replacing it with new construction. It also preserved one of the oldest houses in the neighborhood, documenting part of the development history of this area of the city. Preserving a historic house is almost always a win for local history, building character, and the environment.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help anyone who wants to restore a house with sensitivity, covering all aspects of the process.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
29points
Budgeting is a chapter all on its own. Let’s be honest: restoring a historic home isn’t cheap. Whether it's importing rare materials or hiring niche experts, the costs can add up fast. And while budget-friendly shortcuts might be tempting, they often lead to compromises that can diminish the home’s value and charm. The best approach? Start with a flexible but realistic budget and expect a few surprises along the way.
#19
My favorite Before & After ~ Hench House, a great example of what is possible - right down to replicating the original paint colors.
Jim and Jean Leaman rescued the 1887 Hench House in York, PA, from pending demolition and restored it a decade ago. It is an excellent example of what is possible even for a house many people would consider "too far gone." The city was about to demolish this house before the Leamans stepped in.
Every house can't be saved, some genuinely are too far gone to be saved, but houses are destroyed every year that could have been restored. Knowing it is possible is often the first step toward accomplishing something good.
The restoration of the Hench House by a retired couple who are not wealthy and did much of the work themselves should be an example to others. That is why I used it on the cover of "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners."
Hench House is one of 13 featured houses photographed by noted architectural photographer David Clough and presented between the how-to chapters of the book. These houses range from Maine to New Mexico and date from c. 1760 to 1957.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/ and through the shop on this page.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors, including the classic "A Field Guide to American Houses" by Virginia McAlester. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
29points
#20
Before and After ~ An Italianate gem in Vermont.
This wonderful Italianate house came across my feed a while back. It is an excellent example of what can be done to save a historic house. Photos by Adam Franco.
This impressive house in the Italianate style with a Second Empire Mansard roof atop the tower is located in rural Vermont. Its dramatic restoration after a prolonged period of neglect will help this small town to retain its unique identity.
The buildings constructed by those who came before us tell our community's story. Without them a town is just more acreage of land, indistinct from the next one. Historic houses make places memorable.
Many people would have assumed this house was beyond saving. Fortunately, someone had the knowledge to realize that was false and possessed the courage and financial resources to take it on.
"Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" was written to help people learn what is possible. It will help you to restore a house with sensitivity to its character-defining features.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors including the classic "A Field Guide to American Houses" by Virginia McAlester. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
28points