Respectful Renovations

Buildings deserve respect. Regardless of their age.

The dilapidated house you see today took careful planning and many tradespeople to build. If older buildings could speak, they would tell stories of the many families they saw and protected.

It goes without saying that over the years, many of these buildings lacked necessary
maintenance. Their radiance slowly dulled, their character slowly buried under a multitude of renovations.

Fabric and decorations will come and go with the times.
Respectful renovations are timeless.

There is so much that can be done in a renovation to pay homage to the once blossoming building. Carrying out a renovation should be more than a gut job. It should include a ‘’wish list’’ and a ‘’preserve’’ list. Perhaps the uneven hardwood floors give just the right charm to the
building. Maybe that entrance light fixture just needs to be re-wired to function properly, etc. It’s surprising how even the smallest of reclaimed elements can change the ‘’feel’’ of a building.

What if the building was already gutted and nothing historic is left?

Research, research, research.

Local libraries, Google searches, etc. will provide typical construction methods and finishes depending on the building’s age. Neighbors and townships’ can often be excellent information providers as well. Perhaps a front porch was torn down 20 years ago and never rebuilt. Maybe the exterior railing was square instead of colonial, as it is now. Research will help paint a clearer picture.

Incorporating respectful architectural elements will make the building feel as it should, even if a full renovation is carried out. Respecting history is never a bad idea. At least not to us.

Are you saying that I have to keep my purple and gold bathroom?

What’s important is to feel comfortable in your home. It’s supposed to be a safe haven,
somewhere you can relax and enjoy life. If your stomach churns every time you step into your
purple tub, maybe it’s time for it to go. However, that purple cast iron sink can be sandblasted
and refinished white.. See where I’m going with this? Keep what works, fix what doesn’t and
refinish what needs shining.

This sounds great but I don’t have the budget… What will this cost?

Restoring features is often less expensive than buying new. That hardwood floor may cost
$2,500 to sand and stain. Buying a quality comparable could be double, or more. Perhaps the
$25 repair cost for the old light fixture is worth it when a new one would be $350.

For the items that must be purchased new (ex; drywall, rough wiring, plumbing pipes, etc.) know that the money you saved on the reclaimed items helped pay for the new ones.
For buildings that have previously been gutted, budget has a huge role in how historically
accurate the renovation will be. Purchasing 6’’ mahogany trim for all the windows and 8’’ for the baseboards may not be budget friendly, or readily available. Opting for a 3’’ trim and 4’’
baseboard might be a better choice to stay within budget. Finding a respectful balance between new and old is key to having a building feel right.

Let us help you!

The design side of the business allows us to combine new and old into projects. Don’t have
hours of time on your hands? Have us tackle the research for you to ensure a tasteful finished product.

The architectural drawings would come next. Building code regulations and local by-laws are
integrated with the esthetic goal to ensure a safe and respectful project.

We invite you to visit our blog called ‘’Drafting and Design. What’s the difference?’’ to know
more about the process.

Keep in mind that older building components can include hazardous materials such as asbestos and silica. We can assist in coordinating the right people to test the materials to start off on the right foot.

In hopes that this inspires you to give new life to your old building, stay safe and happy
renovating!