INTERIORS
Wood Flooring and Trim
Most heritage homes feature wood flooring and trim. Many feature
panelling, wainscoting, and elaborate staircases. Almost all wood was
finished in a stain and varnish combination that allowed the grain of
the wood to show through.
Over decades styles changed. Wall-to-wall carpet covered many an oak
floor. Trim and staircases were painted over often to “brighten up” a
room, and to cover a worn or damaged finish.
As always, when original finishes have been kept, proper maintenance
can help avoid the cost of re-finishing.
Re-claiming or restoring wood finishes can be expensive if done
professionally, and very time-consuming for a do-it-yourself project.
The results, however are both rewarding and long-lasting.
For those who want to do the work, many resources are available, online
and at building supply stores.
http://www.bobvila.com/articles/2222-wood-flooring-101/#.VktOUIudL8s
http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors/#.VktN9oudL8s
WALL COVERINGS
Lath & plaster walls covered with wallpaper were the standard in
most well-built homes a century ago.
Many owners over the years have opted to “modernize” walls with gyproc
and finish with paint.
Working with original lath and plaster however wall is still an option
for those who want to maintain maximum historical integrity. As always,
many online resources are available for the do-it-yourselfer, and there
are still craftsmen out there who specialize in restoring and
re-creating original walls.
http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/21-flat-plaster.htm
Should one want to duplicate the wallpaper in a heritage home, there
are businesses that specialize in that as well. As with many aspects of
restoration, archival photos are valuable. When removing old wallpaper,
saving a sample will help recreate a look with authenticity.
http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/tpsd/wallpaper/sec3.htm
HARDWARE
Hardware may seem the smallest of details, but it is essential to the
overall character of heritage buildings. If you are fortunate enough to
have original hardware pieces in your home, make your best effort to
keep and maintain them. If you need to replace missing or broken
pieces, you might locate them from an architectural salvage operation,
or from cottages being demolished. Alternatively, there are good
contemporary reproductions available. If you are not sure what to look
for, neighbours’ homes are likely to have similar pieces.
An antique door handle like this
would
be much‐missed if it were replaced.
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