Why I Love an Old House: Quirks and Oddities

Historic homes. I fell in love with them back when I was 18 years young. They have soul, quirks, and oddities that you just won’t find anywhere else. And when you walk along historic streets, no two house exteriors are alike. My own house is over 150 years old and I take a bit of satisfaction knowing that no one else in the world has a house exactly like mine. Today I’m sharing examples of old house interiors and what I love about them.

Photo by Ingalls Custom Contracting

Doors and Floors

Forget the carpet and hollow core doors in newer homes. I’ll choose solid panel doors and hardwood floors any day of the week. The front door on this Colonial home features a series of tiny windows and historic hardware. Gleaming wide plank floors are in beautiful shape and speak to the well-maintained character of the home. The wood beams are an added bonus.

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

This front door, also painted red, is a little more primitive and also features period hardware. Transom windows are part of the trim above the door. You can see the years of people treading over the floor in the entryway, each scratch and groove with its own story to tell. It’s part of what gives an old house its soul. The primitive staircase leads you to wonder who all transcended the steps during the life of the home.

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Period Fireplace

Modern fireplaces can’t hold a candle to historic ones, in my humble opinion. A house dated back to 1657 features a simple brick fireplace surrounded by painted wood trim. Have you ever seen a house where the brick floor extends up around the fireplace? You won’t find this character in newer homes.

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Does anyone create a fireplace better than the Victorians? Many of these mantels have been rescued from Victorian houses so you can find them in antique stores and incorporate them into your own home.

Photo by Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting

The Custom Staircase

Whether ornate or simple, an old house staircase is sure to be unique in some way, shape, or form. And if you’re lucky enough to live in an extravagant historic home, you might have a stunning stairway like this. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Photo by Period Architecture Ltd.

Here’s a quirky stairway with loads of originality. Kids would probably love playing and pretending here. It’s funny how often kids comment on my old house. There’s a tiny door in one of our bedrooms that they always find fascinating. And trick-or-treaters always say we have a nice house (maybe they’ve learned they get extra candy if they say that).

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Low Ceilings

In today’s world of vaulted ceilings and two-story entryways, I’m probably one of the few people who appreciate low ceilings. There’s something so cozy about them, like an illustration from a room in a Beatrix Potter book. Of course, taller people probably find it a little claustrophobic.

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Not only does this bedroom feature a low ceiling, but the window sports a wood shutter as opposed to a curtain. Perfect for keeping out drafts in addition to early morning sunlight.

Photo by Bee’s Knees Design, LLC

Custom Cabinetry

Unless an older home’s kitchen has been gutted and renovated, it won’t have the look of a new kitchen. Often times you won’t even find cabinets in an historic home’s kitchen. Unfitted kitchens have standalone or built-in cupboards that are quite common in older homes. They do lack some of today’s conveniences (my house doesn’t have a dishwasher), but they’re loaded with charm.

Photo by British Standard by Plain English

Photo by Period Architecture Ltd.

Period Architecture

Architectural details are probably my number one feature that I love about an old house. The arched doors and trim throughout this beauty is impeccable.

Photo by Period Architecture Ltd.

Deep-set windows get me every time and conjure up a world of days gone by. You can’t live in a house like this without wondering about its past inhabitants. That might spook some people, but I think of all the stories the house could tell. Did a young girl once gaze through this window and watch her suitor ride off on his horse?

Photo by Four Brothers Design + Build

Worn Elements

Part of a home’s story is the wear you see on its surfaces. It’s nice to modernize a house for today’s living (such as getting the electric and plumbing up to code), but leaving signs of its age is a beautiful thing. I would never replace these stairs that show their years of use. Yes, it could be a safety hazard, but you just need to be careful where you step. These look like attic steps so they’re probably not used on a daily basis.

Photo by Corynne Pless

Walls can also show their age in the way of cracks and bumps. The walls in my house show imperfections like those seen in this primitive staircase. Houses settle so it’s no surprise to find waves in walls or doors that are off-kilter (note the gap above the door on the right). And aren’t you just dying to know where that smaller door leads?

Photo by Cummings Architecture + Interiors

There are more elements of an old house to love and I have more examples to share, but I’ll wait to do that in another post. Some people don’t like these imperfections, but I find them quite endearing. How about you?