Old House Journal

The Original Restoration Magazine for people who are passionate about old houses to repair, rehabilitate, update, and decorate their homes; covering all classic American architectural styles,—from the earliest Colonial-era buildings to grand Victorians of every variety to Arts & Crafts bungalows and mid-century ranches.

Old House Journal

a lookbook indeed

home design PAST & PRESENT TO CREATE AN ECLECTIC MIX • THE BEST HOMES ARE COMFORTABLE, PERSONAL, UNIQUE. CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL CO-EXIST—AND, FOR MANY OWNERS, PERIOD DESIGN MAY PROVIDE INSPIRATION.

WHEN IT’S REMUDDLING • The magazine Old-House Journal will soon turn 50 years old —and for almost as many years, the reader-favorite page has been headlined “Remuddling.” On exhibit are perplexing, hilarious, and sometimes sad examples of when renovation or, more accurately, remodeling goes wrong. Windows and porches take the worst beating, and a change of building use is often to blame. The feature is one small voice against an onslaught of “no maintenance” promises.

RADICAL RESTORATION • After a 1960s remodeling, the Craftsman house in Portland, Oregon, was virtually unrecognizable. Then the right family came along.

kitchens & revival baths

SHOPTOUR • Hand-crafted, fully custom cabinets are sold direct to clients all over the U.S. by Crown Point Cabinetry, now in second-generation family ownership. Made by nearly 100 people using time-honored techniques such as mortise-and-tenon joinery and dovetailed drawer ends, “these aren't fashion cabinets,” says majority owner Brian Stowell. “They are forever cabinets.”

Buying Kitchen Cabinets • Specs are confusing, quality unknown, and pricing is all over the map!

SURPRISE FLOOR IN A KITCHEN • An otherwise all-white room gets boundless energy grounded by color.

LEARN MORE > Wall-Mounted Faucets

ADDITIONAL LISTINGS • The timeless kitchen is one that doesn’t pursue trendiness in favor of practicality. Modern appliances need not be hidden, but do use high-quality materials.

SHOPTOUR • Salvage store, plumber, machinist, and plating shop: Bathroom Machineries has been selling and restoring antique plumbing since owner Tom Scheller started up in 1976. Pinhole leaks, missing parts, worn plating: no problem.

BATH of the belle epoque

wall & floor tile

SHOPTOUR • Recently rebranded under its new name, Dutch Tile, owned by Bibby (Barbara) Veerman, imports hand-painted tiles. Historical methods and designs may date to the 16th and 17th centuries for the tiles handmade in The Netherlands by Harlinger, another family-owned company.

furniture & decorative accessories

LEARN MORE > Antique, or Reproduction?

SHOPTOUR • If you’ve passed trough the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, you’ve seen the classic rockers—invariably occupied—made by Troutman Chair. They’re just as relaxing on your own porch or in your living room.

TREE HOUSE BUNGALOW • In Black Mountain, N.C., craftsmanship gives a new cabin the integrity of an old house.

LEARN MORE > Victorian Furniture

lighting+ hardware

SHOPTOUR • Founded in1966 by Danny Krauss, Authentic Designs makes replicas of early American lighting. Michael Krauss and Maria Peragine are the second-generation owners of the company that occupies a restored toothpick factory off the beaten path.

LEARN MORE > A small price to pay:

ADDITIONAL LISTINGS • Metalwork—functional but also the jewelry of the house—extends to mailboxes, curtain rods, stair rods, fireplace tools, and more. More unique sources:

curtains to carpets

SHOPTOUR • Long-time antiques dealers Blanche Greenstein and Thomas K. Woodard had been selling antique quilts, rugs, and furnishings...