A Principled Synthesis

The new design for a kitchen follows Prairie School doctrine.

Walls & Ceilings

DISCOVER DECORATION you could never dream up! Even early on: It turns out that the murky “colonial” palette of the 1950s–1970s was based on paint samples embedded with dirt and altered by time.

Kitchens & revival baths

As we all know, kitchens have rarely escaped remodeling. Oddly enough, a period-inspired kitchen is less likely to look “dated” because it’s timeless, and takes cues from the rest of the house. Rely on classic, natural materials like wood and stone. For cabinets and millwork, mimic woodwork in the dining room or pantry, but make it simpler rather than grand.

CIRCA 1930 KITCHEN REDO

Functionally modern but thoroughly vintage, this Depression-era kitchen adds character to a Colonial Revival mid-1920s house in Connecticut.

GARDENS FOR A MANSARD

Despite its imposing Second Empire façade, the 1855 Victorian was a farmhouse at heart.

AN ARTS AND CRAFTS BUNGALOW

Inside and out, this 1916 house in Spokane, Washington, retained all of the original detailing. The owners brought out its inherent charm.

Curtains to Carpets

Textiles do not have to be excessive to be effective. The homespun, damasks, and quilts of early American interiors added color and comfort without fussiness.

GARAGES worth a tour

Here’s a look at recent garages, inspired by period houses, which make the most of new space.

Wood Working

Useful items for building, cutting, sanding, or repairing.

OUTDOOR LIGHTS

For the entry and landscape.

The Case for Repairing Wood Windows

Jimmy Carter was President the first time I wrote an article like this one. I have no problem saying it all again.

Revival Kitchen in a Queen Anne

With the look of a butler’s pantry full of built-ins, it’s family-friendly.

THE FOREVER HOUSE

A DIY couple help an already intact house embrace its age—and the new-old kitchen is an achievement!

Furniture Rescues

A self-taught artist transforms old furniture into unique, practical art.

ADDING A CONSERVATORY

Opening up a small, enclosed room with a bank of Queen Anne windows created a sunny retreat that’s perfect for the 1888 house.

Prepping for Exterior Painting

DIY, or hire a pro? Review these stages, all of which are crucial to a lasting paint job, and then decide.

DESIGNING for outdoor spaces SITE PLANNING AND THE ARCHITECTURE

Site planning and a consistent architectural vision made sense of this unique double lot near the sea in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Architect Frank Shirley “integrated two properties and made this a special place to be,” the homeowner says. Outbuildings, two of them newly designed and built, are critical to the overall design, providing not only additional space but also protection from the street. New porches, formal elements of hardscape, and plantings tie it together.

Reproducing HISTORIC Wallpapers

Wallpaper remains the quintessential room decoration. If you’re looking for a historic or specific pattern, be encouraged.

Exotic Comforts in a Master Suite

If the bedroom in your 1882 Queen Anne Victorian has a gilded ceiling, what is the bathroom like?

The Siding Question

To refresh siding on your house, look for materials close to the original in cut, grain, dimension, and appearance.

Collecting Enchantment

What if you bought a Victorian farmhouse and, endeavoring to learn about the period, became entranced? You might design Aesthetic and Rococo parlors, a Sheraton Revivaldining room, and a kitchen with Anglo–Japanese notes.

Avondale Farm AN IMAGINATIVE REBIRTH

The ca. 1735 house was disassembled and rebuilt on a new foundation, a rescued 1742 banquet hall appended to it, an addition in Greek Revival style built for the kitchen, and a Maine barn added to the property.

Chairs Become Dog Beds

A dog-loving couple create unique pet furniture.

An Artful Approach FOR A 1755 COLONIAL

Attracting the right owners through subsequent generations, this Connecticut house remains true to its period.

A UNIQUE RESCUE

This couple refurbished an “obsolete” duplex dwelling, built-in 1899 as factory-worker housing.

REMEDIES FOR STAINLESS STEEL

The best approach to refreshing a scratched stainless steel surface is to clean and polish the entire sink, using the least abrasive methods possible, plus a lot of elbow grease.

TUDOR ARTS & CRAFTS HOUSES

THE MELDING OF TWO STYLES WITH SIMILAR ROOTS, 1890–1920. By Patricia Poore

TRANSITIONAL TUDOR

A UNIQUE MIX OF TUDOR REVIVAL AND ARTS & CRAFTS DESIGN, THIS 1912 HOUSE IN PORTLAND, OREGON, REMAINED REMARKABLY INTACT.

RESILIENTS BOUNCING BACK

These floors continue to evolve, adapting recycled and natural materials for flooring that looks better and lasts longer.

A TRIO OF MODERN MASTERS

COLLECTING BRUTALIST AND MODERN PIECES 1950–1970.