New year, old houses… January always sparks the urge to look at the world with fresh eyes and renewed hope. For me, it’s a time to marvel at architecture without the distraction of gardens and greenery. The mid-winter light throws every building detail into stark relief. Soon enough, spring will come with its lengthy to-do list. But, for now, let’s revel in every character-defining feature.
“Character-defining features” are my bread and butter. Homeowners contact me with questions about their old houses – how did they evolve, how can they be updated, who has the trade skills to tackle various projects on the checklist, how long will it take and how much will it cost? I always start with a site consultation to help them assess, first and foremost, what is worth preserving?
Every house is different, it goes without saying. To get at what “character-defining features” means to me, here are some observations through the lens of several fabulous fixer-uppers among CIRCA’s listings…
The Gushaw-Mudgett House – CIRCA Old Houses
This 1884 beauty, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has prominent hallmarks of 19th-century Italianate design, including robust columns, brackets, balustrades and bay windows. What I especially love about these wood windows are the sash “horns” (also called “joggles”) that extend down from the lower corners of the top sash. That’s original Victorian engineering, designed to strengthen the joints so that each sash can hold a large single pane of glass.
The Rice-Hubbard House in Picturesque Washington County, New York – CIRCA Old Houses
Architectural design circa 1834, when this house was built, saw a shift from the new nation’s Federal style to the more emphatic Greek Revival. I’ve never seen such chunky rosettes as these on the interior window and door casing, in scale with the muscular proportions of the rooms, and even the front door lock! An Italianate-esque door with two arched windows has snuck in, perhaps a later addition or original transitional element – either way, it’s definitely worth preserving!
Walla Walla Wine Country Grand Historic – CIRCA Old Houses
From the intricate exterior shingles to the bulb-shaped arch over the front door to the mottled-tile fireplace surrounds, this house proclaims Arts & Crafts. Though every element was made, to some extent, by machine, the style delights in unique beauty and fine craftsmanship. It’s so exciting to see features I’ve never encountered before, such as the fan detail at the corners of windows and doors, in lieu of more typical rosettes.
For character-ful houses like these, I will travel!
For more insights, join me over at the Worth Preserving blog and get my free download, “A Rehabilitation Checklist for People Who Love Old Houses”.
AUTHOR KATE WOOD grew up criss-crossing the country in the family’s Volkswagen Bus, visiting house museums, battlefields, Main Streets, and national parks. Today, she is an award-winning preservationist, real estate broker and principal of the full-service historic rehabilitation consulting firm, Worth Preserving. Kate believes in the essential value of old-building stewardship to sustain community character. For her, each property is a cause and each client a fellow advocate. She specializes in matching people with properties, skilled contractors, historic tax credits and other benefits to support top-tier rehabilitation projects.
