I seem to be coming full circle in my decor tastes. I remember being drawn to the vintage, the rustic, the aged, etc. Then, I was drawn towards traditional furnishings. Guess what... I actually am starting to combine the two now and I'm kinda loving it! I put on my 'To-Do" List the other day... "Go down in the basement and start digging through boxes of vintage (authentic and reproductions) items that I have packed away umpteen years ago..." It would be like Christmas in February! I'll keep you posted on what I find! (Who knows what all I saved)
We are probably correct in leaving behind many elements of yesteryear's home, with all the advances in home construction, technology, etc. But there seems to be a trend to reconsider some of the “once-popular details” of the yesteryear house, not so much for the novelty of the element, but actually for the practicality of it.
Let me know what you think...
Dutch Doors – I think this is a brilliant idea (if you don’t have to worry about
bugs)
Popular with the
18th-century Dutch settlers of New York and New Jersey, Dutch doors are split
horizontally in the middle; open just the top to keep out animals while letting
in light and air. Making your own is straightforward. Saw any wood door in
half, and then attach each half to the door frame with two hinges apiece. A
simple sliding bolt joins the top and bottom as a single, solid panel.
Sleeping Porch – I envy any homeowner who has this private oasis.
Sleeping porches
became popular in the 20th century, when they were advocated by health
professionals who believed that the fresh air they provided bolstered immune
systems. Such porches were already popular in the South and West, where
sleeping outdoors was cooler and more comfortable.
Transom Windows – Always a gorgeous detail in any home.
Transom windows are
panels of glass you see above doors in old homes, especially those built in the
Mission
Laundry Chute – I would KILL for one
of these... or at least move the laundry room to the second floor!
If your bedroom is
two floors up from the washer and dryer, you might want to resurrect another
nearly forgotten feature of old homes: the laundry chute. If you'd like to
construct your own, to ensure that your clothes are funneled smoothly, get
sheet metal welded together to create a ramp, or use lengths of extra-large PVC
pipe to form a tube that ends in your laundry room. No matter your approach,
adding a laundry chute injects low-tech convenience into one of life's
never-ending chores.
Boot Scraper – I actually had one of these at my Ohio
When horse-drawn
wagons were a common mode of transportation, a boot scraper at the front door
was a real necessity. As paved roads replaced dirt and tires replaced hooves,
the boot scraper fell out of use. Today, you can still find the
traditional-style cast iron bars set into masonry on many a front stoop,
although many modern wood, rubber, or plastic scrapers have been augmented with
brushes to remove debris from all angles.
Intercom System - When my children
were growing up, this system saved me countless steps as well as my voice from
screaming continually.
Intercom systems may
remind you of The Brady Bunch, but these 1970's-era
devices can be useful even if you don't have six kids, a dog, and an Alice
Pocket Shutters - What a clever idea to save wall space and
keep the lines clean on great architectural detailing.
Northeast homes of
the 18th and 19th century had walls of exceptional thickness (as they were
often made of brick), providing a deep window jamb whose pockets could contain
an entire interior shutter. These clever architectural details are making a
comeback, because interior shutters provide not only privacy, but also
insulation or shade when the elements really start to bear down.
Dumbwaiter –Boy, oh boy... talk about getting spoiled! This is, again, BRILLIANT
Convenient for
carrying items like laundry and food from floor to floor, these small freight
elevators rose to popularity during the 19th century. Although today they are
seen mostly in restaurants and schools, a dumbwaiter could be installed in many
multilevel homes and enhanced with electric motors, automatic control systems,
and greater customization than was possible before.
Ceiling Medallions - These have always
been a beautiful detail and custom touch to homes.
Popular in middle-
to upper-class homes in the 19th century, ceiling medallions were designed to
add architectural interest and beauty to a room. They were typically placed
above a chandelier so that the light would emphasize their delicate patterns.
Traditionally made from delicate paper mâché or heavy materials like iron or
marble, you can get the same look today with ceiling medallions made from foam,
plastic or light wood.
Root Cellar – I
think I would fill mine with wine but that’s just me!
If you live in a
climate where the ground freezes in the winter, you can jump on the modern
green trend and build an old-fashioned root cellar. It basically consists of
digging a hole in your yard about 7-feet deep, putting in a sturdy
infrastructure and roof, and covering it up with dirt. The result is a storage
area where you can keep large quantities of winter vegetables like potatoes,
squash and cabbage preserved and ready-to-eat throughout the cold months.
Perfect!
Claw-Foot Tubs – Talk about a treat. I’m a shower girl, but
soaking is a large claw-foot tub, wow!
They’re lovely to
look at and provide a deeper soak than most modern tubs. So if you have enough
space in your bathroom, consider adding the luxury of a claw foot tub to your
life. Or, get whimsical and put one outside in your garden or on a patio so you
can bathe under the stars. You can find many claw foots inexpensively at
salvage yards that, with a little TLC, will look as good as new or rather, as old.
Picture Rail Moulding – This is an ingenious idea, why oh why did this EVER go
out of style?
Picture rails were
installed primarily in the New England and
Southern townhouses in the Victorian era and provided a way to hang artwork on
plaster walls that would crumble under the force of hammer and nail. Today,
they can be installed as visually appealing design elements that let you hang
art in a unique way. Consider aligning your moulding with the tops of windows
and painting the ceiling a color that extends to the picture rail.
Don't throw the past
away
You might need it some rainy day
Dreams can come true again
When everything old is new again…
You might need it some rainy day
Dreams can come true again
When everything old is new again…
by Peter Allen
