Love the vintage windows but not the teeny kitchen? See how design pros strike the right balance.
Original parquet floors, crown moldings, and arched doorways—historic homes are chock full of charm and character. The trade-off is modern amenities like central air. So when designer Caitlin Wilson, who runs an eponymous line of enchanting home goods, set about renovating her 1920s Georgian home in Dallas’ Highland Park neighborhood, functional upgrades were high on her to-do list.
To beat the Texas heat and keep people and pets from sweltering, Wilson installed the Trane XV20i TruComfort air conditioner, which has the power to efficiently cool her home. The HVAC brand’s top-performing air conditioning unit comes equipped with a unique fan system designed to improve performance while reducing noise, a key component to consider when upgrading a decades-old heating and cooling setup inside a house built 100-plus years ago. Wilson’s challenge is a classic one faced by historic homeowners: How to bring a home into the present (with musts like a comfortable kitchen and fully functional amenities) without giving up any of its original charm.
For starters, focus on the type of upgrades you might not necessarily see but will definitely notice—think working with architects to address foundation issues and installing new plumbing and electricity, two systems Wilson overhauled completely.
Organizations like the Electrical Safety Foundation International have resources to help determine which type of wiring and outlets your house has based on its age, with suggestions for how to effectively upgrade them. It may not be the most exciting way to spend your budget, but rewiring your house is better than an electrical fire.
Cosmetic upgrades often involve removing layers of caked-on paint or retro finishes like linoleum tile to reveal the bones of the house—and if you’re lucky, uncovering timeless details like the parquet wood floors Wilson was able to restore in what was once a ballroom.
The goal is to honor the home’s heritage as much as possible without having to accept design flaws that will bother you for years to come. Minuscule bathrooms and kitchens, for example, can certainly be expanded while making decisions that make them feel century-appropriate. In Wilson’s case, that meant converting a downstairs bedroom into a much larger kitchen space than the original, cramped 1920s one, creating a gathering space for her family.
Even when undertaking significant changes, keep an eye out for historic pieces that can be repurposed. Perhaps an old washstand could serve as your bathroom’s vanity, or hardware like drawer pulls could be incorporated into new cabinetry.
If you’re doing a larger gut renovation, ask your contractors to preserve treasured finds like tiled fireplaces, wavy single pane glass windows, original trim, and wood floors so you have the option to reuse them later. Hunting down local artisans who do things the old fashioned way, via online communities or word-of-mouth recommendations, is another great way to add elements that are new, but don’t look it.
Not that you need to feel as if you’re living in the early 20th century. Springing for upgrades like a new heating and cooling system will not only make your home more comfortable to live in, but also more energy efficient.
There are also some environmental benefits to older homes, so learn how they apply to your project and avoid undoing any built-in perks. As the National Trust for Historic Preservation notes, design elements like thicker walls, windows that open, shutters, and wide porches help naturally retain hot or cool air, depending on the season. The trust also provides a detailed guide for homeowners looking to install more effective and sustainable systems.
For those HVAC elements that are unavoidably visible, like vent covers, swap them out in favor of a more intricately patterned set—there are options on the market designed to look vintage and blend seamlessly into a historic space.
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