Renovation inspiration sought
I recently bought a Victorian frame house. It’s been treated badly on the inside and out over the years, and I’m about to start bringing it back to its former glory. I have lots of ideas, but am also looking for any recommendations regarding inspiring books, magazines etc that anyone feels are particularly good at…
I recently bought a Victorian frame house. It’s been treated badly on the inside and out over the years, and I’m about to start bringing it back to its former glory. I have lots of ideas, but am also looking for any recommendations regarding inspiring books, magazines etc that anyone feels are particularly good at pointing them in the right direction.
Sadly, so many great home design magazines have recently gone under! Those are all good suggestions. here’s another: Not for photos but for the experience of renovating an old house, I’ll suggest Michael Ruhlman’s “House,” about his life while renovating in a neighborhood that is the Cleveland equivalent of Victorian Flatbush. Very funny and true.
It’s great that you’re doing lots of research before beginning.
Whenever you’re ready for more specific ideas, please check out my website.
There is a lot of free advice on the FAQs page regarding renovation realities (first the dreams, then the realties). Good luck and have fun with everything!
http://www.121studio.com/
Historical Reference:
Victorian Interior Decoration – Winkler & Moss *the best historical bible of the changes in Vict. interior décor from 1840’s – early 1900’s.
Bricks and Brownstones – Charles Lockwood * invaluable guide to style, construction and history
Photographs of NY Interiors at the Turn of the Century – Joseph Byron (Dover Book reprint)
Victorian and Edwardian Décor – Jeremy Cooper * wonderful scholarly look at furniture and decorative arts of the period
The American Townhouse – Kevin Murphy * historical look at various American townhouse styles, including NYC brownstones and rowhouses
Decorating Books: using period pieces and architectural salvage:
Victorian Splendor – Allison Kyle Leopold
Victorian Interiors, Room By Room – Katherine Livingston
The Well Worn Interior – Foster and Whitaker
Extraordinary Interiors – Brian Coleman
Irreplaceable Artifacts – Evan and Leslie Blum
Restoration and Renovation:
Old House Journal Compendium – Clem Labine and Editors of OHJ
Renovating Old Houses – George Nash
Creating a New Old House – Russell Versaci * excellent ideas for renovation and restoration, using the best of new materials, etc to create a modern old house
Magazines and Periodicals
Old House Journal * lots of useful information, DIY, ideas, excellent source for products and materials
Old House Interiors * by OHJ editors, excellent reference for combining old and new, especially kitchens, baths. Excellent sourcing guide for products and materials.
This Old House Magazine * Companion to tv show, great for new products for old homes, interior ideas.
Victorian Home Magazine * for Victorian die hards. Lots of great articles featuring historic and restored homes. Good advertising section for sourcing products.
Period Homes and Gardens Magazine (British) * dedicated to houses from 1266-1930. Always interesting, and usually feature a Victorian home. Great ideas.
Homes and Gardens Magazine (British) * Always features at least one rowhouse. Great ideas for contemporary living in an historic rowhouse.
House and Garden Magazine (British) * Also great ideas for contemporary décor in an historic home. Usually features a rowhouse.
World of Interiors (British) * Always interesting, great features on historic and interesting homes all over the world, always quirky, eccentric, artistic and unique.
Sounds like we invested in similar homes 🙂
I got the George Nash book based on a recommendation from here and its been very valuable.
GL!
For the most current ideas and inspiration and updated technology do include magazines in your reading pile. They have more info on green building for example than books written many years ago. I like the magazine Cottage Living. Despite its quaint name it shows good inspiration for mixing modern style and lifestyle with antique houses. Also This Old House magazine is full of tips and helpful information and photos of renovations.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Bungalow Kitchens and Bungalow Bathrooms by Jane Powell (covers 1880s to 1930s)
Bricks and Brownstone by Charles Lockwood
Renovating Old Houses by George Nash
The American Family Home 1800 to 1960 by Clifford Edward Clark Jr
The House Book by Terence Conran, 1974 edition ONLY
The Architecture of Country Houses by A.J. Downing (pub 1850, not tons of illustrations, does have a few pages of good encaustic tile patterns)