There is a growing trend in renovating historic homes to make them new. Millennials and younger generations are especially drawn to remodeling historic houses because many are priced out of the market for newer homes.
What’s more, scrolling through photos of said homes has even been called “therapeutic” by realty sites like Apartment Therapy. And Instagram and Pinterest have made it easy to find plenty to flip through, as renovators use social media to document their journey, create an online community of like-minded people and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Buying old houses can be a way of connecting with the past and deepening a family or individual’s connection with their community or with the architectural history of their region or country. But for those who become serial renovators, it can quickly turn into a business opportunity, “flipping” houses for resale or to be used as rental properties. With the skills learned making over a house, some people even go on to set up consultancies or online businesses in interior design or homewares or even write books about renovating a historic building.
Here, we take a look at a variety of gorgeous historic home remodels, including even a few castles, to inspire your own renovation. (Or at least be soothed by the dream of someday doing so.)
The Remodel Story
When Erica and Ben Bauermeister first saw their Four Square house in Port Townsend, it was covered with asbestos and vegetation. Even worse, the last resident had been a hoarder, and the house was full of trash. The couple bought the house, determined to make it a family home.
The roof, windows, plumbing and electrical wiring all were replaced. The Bauermeisters, and their daughters carried out 7.5 tons of trash. In the end, the renovations took roughly 20 years, and Erica, a New York Times best-selling writer, wrote a critically acclaimed book about the process called “House Lessons,” referring to the house as her muse.
The Remodel Story
Lauren Bowling was living in Atlanta, Georgia, for a year when she decided to buy an older home that needed work to save money. Bowling ended up buying a foreclosed house, was able to borrow money for closing costs and downpayment, and added her renovation costs to her mortgage loan.
The house only cost her $1,800 up front, but it needed both new plumbing and re-wiring to bring it up to code. Bowling ended up renting out rooms in her house to help cover her costs. But before long, she found herself writing a book, “The Millennial Homeowner,” about her experiences and ended up selling her house in 2018 for a $150,000 profit.
