Heritage Homes - Articles

Restoring and Decorating heritage homes takes a variety of different skills. Restoring does not mean being a slave to the past but it does mean knowing how to balance the charm and originality of your house with contemporary living. It means being sensitive to the past even though your personal style is more modern.

The following articles were written to inspire you and help you make good choices when restoring your own heritage home.

TRAVELS: -------------------------------------------------------------------Click Here

Have a look at some photographs of fabulous old buildings and antiques in France, Canada, Italy taken on my travels over the years. Click here

HOUSE TOURS:                                                                                                     CLICK here

Take a "sneak peak" at some lovely heritage homes throughout the province of Alberta. See how the owners accomplished the delicate balance between restoration and living a 21st century lifestyle. You will get great ideas for your own restoration and decorating projects.   CLICK here

SPOOKY HOUSES - In a category all of its own. These are stories that readers have shared with me after an E Tip email I sent about how houses and antiques may take on the spirits of previous owners. Click here.

OLD HOUSES by ROOM                                     CLICK here

How did rooms evolve? Why do building layouts and designs change? This section will give you information  and articles that are specific to bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and parlour's.   CLICK here

DESIGN STYLES                                                 CLICK here

Learn how the different design styles affected the way your home looks. Knowing this will help you make good decisions when doing your decor. Read about decorating in the Victorian Style, Arts and Crafts, Edwardian, and Art Deco styles. Click here.

DECORATING The HERITAGE HOUSE              CLICK here

Learn how to decorate your heritage home. Learn about window treatments, antique accessories, decorating the heritage home for the holidays and more. Click here

OLD HOUSE MATERIALS                                  CLICK here

Do you know which materials are suitable for the age of your house? Read these articles to see what flooring, lighting, millwork, paint colours, wall and window treatments work best for your house - what you need to know! CLICK here

HERITAGE HOME "HOW TO"                            CLICK here

Learn how to restore varnished woodwork without stripping, how to organize a restoration, how to decorate for Christmas, how to understand CSA / UL listing on light fixtures, and much more!  CLICK here

OLD HOUSE MAINTENANCE                              CLICK here

If you own an older house it helps to know something about the kind of mechanical systems that were common in its time. Find out about heating, electrical, and plumbing systems. Read about the importance of doing a home inspection and what to look for when buying an old house.  CLICK here

Miscellaneous photos Click here