Here’s a fun one for a Friday: As an owner of an old house… did you take the tried and true advice to “listen to what your house says it wants” before making updates or remodels?
- If so: What did your house tell you — and how did that affect your plans?
- Flip side: Did you not take the time to listen to your house… and make a rash decision you later regretted?
It’s pretty clear what the fabulous evaxebra’s old apartment was telling her: Don’t you dare mess with the pink bathroom!
Nikko says
My husband and I are buying a 1972 home. It’s sweet and cheerful and lovely… and so much of the 70s character is gone. The house was rode hard and put away wet, so to speak, and was redone in 2013. It desperately needed it, apparently, as many things just didn’t work anymore.
Thank goodness it still has the happy wood paneling in one of the rooms! I have been asked what I’m going to do with it. The answer is, “love it forever and ever!”
I’d love to find pictures of how it looked originally… I want to honor my sweet little house and try to being back more of it’s character.
Becky says
I think that all of the time about my house – I too wish I had pictures of how it originally looked (though it hasn’t been extensively remodeled). I’m particularly bummed because a few years after we moved in, the daughter of the second owner stopped by and chatted with us. We gave her a tour, but this was before I started getting into MCM so I never asked her about how it originally looked. I would be so thrilled should she ever stop by again!!!!
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
We bought the house next door to us for our disabled son to live in when he’s older (we use it as a rental now). It was an estate property and included the contents. I despise clutter, so my husband was surprised I kept photos of the house that we found. The previous owner went crazy remodeling, and I just couldn’t bear to pitch the photos showing its charming, original self. Maybe someday we’ll sell it and find an owner like you to whom the photos will be a treasure.
Una says
What I love about my 1962 brick ranch is that she actually HAS something to say! Two of my previous homes were built in the 1990’s and were just empty shells, I could never really figure out how to make them feel like “my home.” It was disconcerting! My house speaks with a quiet voice, but we have some good conversations. Usually I end up going the less-crazy decorating route, and I can tell she’s happy about that. She had already been redone everywhere but the kitchen before I bought her, so I’m just trying to bring back the feeling of the 1960’s, rather than doing a true historical renovation. We’re taking it slow, but I think this relationship is going to go the distance. 🙂
Jay says
True to a point provided there are no issues. When I bought my 57 ranch, it was fall. After a hard winter, in spring I noticed many trees had dropped huge limbs or had broken limbs hanging in the trees or the trees overhung the house. Shrubs were growing against the house and blocking windows. No time to waste in remediation. I had realized the much neglected landscaping was a liability and not an asset.
Jay says
This was in reply to Lisa about not allowing time to observe the landscaping.
Jeff says
Just moved into my 1955 Chicago suburban ranch in December. This site has been an inspiration and definitely made me remember the mantra “live with it for awhile” and listen to what the house wants/needs. So many things that I thought would have to go are now staying. The paneling in the living room is very high quality and I thought it would need to be removed, but I love it now – gives off the right “vibe.” The home had been in the same family for 52 years and lovingly cared for (i.e. a very healthy 83 year old widow who was not very happy with her son who was telling her she had to downsize and leave the house she loved). The owners were not big on remodeling (thankfully) since the only thing they ever really updated (aside from mechanicals) was the living room carpet and the kitchen floor. Everything else is original, right down to my pink and gray guest bathroom.
So by “listening” to the house, a lot of things are staying put – aside from the MUST change items that I have taken care of such as some water pipes, drains and a terrazo shower pan that had a crack in it and was leaking water into the basement. I think the house is happy and so is the former owner who was delighted when I told her I wasn’t changing much of anything.
Mod Cod Ali says
We just closed three months ago, but are already implementing that philosophy here. It’s interesting to see the reaction that our 1965 cape gets when people see the two original–one pink–bathrooms. Their first reaction is either, ‘Oh heavens! When are you updating THIS?’ or the wistful, ‘I hope you’re keeping these amazing bathrooms. There aren’t many left here now.’
We’re so fortunate to have so much original character here that we’ve been spending our time doing repairs, painting and returning more period appropriate hardware and lighting that has been lost. Retro Renovation has been sooo helpful in providing information and examples so we can choose things that we like and that really allow the house to shine.
Jennifer says
Because my ex always wanted new construction (and because we moved several times), I’ve certainly lived through a lot of houses with modern-day quirks. On the other side of things, my partner had lived in many older construction homes that he and his late wife modified. When we got our we-hope-forever MCM house, we had a long time before the deed was signed to consider options, and decided to re-do a couple of big things–the master bath and the kitchen. Our “listening time” was a few months, but it was bolstered by our various experiences, and also the fact that this small neighborhood has a lot of very similar houses and long term residents, so a lot of collective wisdom. Four years later, I am very happy with both of these makeovers, and with the major changes we made later as well. We try very hard to take into account what the house wants. We know we’re doing it well because those neighbors often mistake our “new” for “original,” even though they spent a lot of time in the house over the years and even though the changes are often very big! (The only one they regret is that we filled in the pool, but we had good reasons.)
Roundhouse Sarah says
I got several strange questions during my home’s open house last weekend. Such as, WHEN did you buy all your furnishings?. When?… Over years, from here and there?! Why are you asking me this?
Or ‘why do you like retro stuff if you weren’t around during the era?’
But the worst was ‘how much did you spend on renovations?’ And this was on live TV! I deflected this question so hard! I know most people on home tours have spent gobs of money and love to brag about it (at least in my neck of the woods) but I immediately recoiled. I just started sharing the philosophy of ‘love the house you’re in’. I recommended that people take it slow with renovations and see what’s really necessary. To not make hurried decisions and to really do their research on what they have. I gave praise to how much just a good cleaning and new coat of paint can really change the entire space. Hopefully someone was listening!
And when asked ‘why did you say yes to being in the tour?’ I said ‘ to show my city that MCM is worth saving! If we keep tearing them down or gut remodeling them we will regret it in the coming years!!
Kate says
GO SARAH!!! way to be an advocate of the cause! 🙂
Carol says
Bravo Sarah! I so love your house. I have dreams about the round hallway. I could languish all day in the lavender bath. Your house is Supercalifagilisticexpealidocious!
Mary Elizabeth says
Sarah, thank you for showing your house on a house tour. We really need more tours like that in our communities. (Around here, people aren’t much interested in touring houses that George Washington didn’t sleep in.) 🙂
pam kueber says
oooh you were on TV, yay!
Ranger Smith says
To a certain degree, I have listened to my homes and tried to stay true and authentic to their character, style and original period when renovating. This site really gave me the courage to do that even more so. When I bought my current 1948 home I figured the peach bathroom tile with light blue trim would get replaced fairly soon. Friends and family thought it should be tops on my list for removal and “updating”. Due to other priorities and limited funds, it didn’t happen. Then I discovered this site and realized that it needed to stay. The tile is in fairly good shape and as Pam points out, one can “update” but then 5 years later that update is dated. Instead I put in marmoleum sheet flooring, and wallpaper that complimented the tile, resurfaced the sink and tub and am now quite happy with the results. As long as I am in this house, the peach and blue tile will stay. Additionally, I tried to make the contemporary fireplace traditional by putting up a mantel but realized that I was trying to force it to be something it wasn’t. The mantle came down.
Betsy says
I’ve worked hard to be a good listener, and most of the time, the results have been great. I also find my 1955 ranch to be a good listener as well, and it has understood my issues with space and safety, as well as mildew and maintenance. We’ve been together nearly 10 years and have been able to work through some interesting and challenging projects. I LOVE the house I’m in. When we listen, it is then that our house truly becomes a home.
Lynne says
How ironic that this is the topic! I have had three wallpaper samples stuck on the wall for a week. We keep looking at them in daylight, night, sunny, rainy…which do we like??? However…two of the samples keep falling down-the same two. No matter how much I re-tape them, I keep finding those same two on the floor. I told Bob, “I think the house likes this one!”
Kate says
Hehehehe I love that! The house has made its decision, I think! I hope you guys agree!