There are many things in the past that people look back to with nostalgia. Everyone likes to think life was better when they were growing up. But there are only two things we know that get better with age; old wine and old houses.

Nothing in modern homes comes close to the unadulterated charm of an old house. Today's home pales in comparison to the elegance of old residential architecture and engineering. If you have ever been to a pre-1930s home, you know what we mean. But if not, this article will introduce you to some tried and true features you can incorporate into your modern home.

Older Home vs Modern Home

What is the main difference between old houses and modern homes? Houses today are typically built with an open floor plan. As Schambs Management explains- this layout combines entryway, kitchen, dining, and living areas into one continuous space without any form of structural separations between them. It’s been desired by modern families today for ease of entertaining and keeping watch over kids.

Old houses, on the other hand, have closed floor plans. Spaces in the house are not only designated for specific uses, they are separated by walls and doors. A typical old house would have separate rooms as the parlor, library, dining room, study and kitchen.

Does this closed floor plan have advantages over an open floor plan? Yes! Not only does it offer privacy, but each space in a home has its own features based on how they are used. A closed floor plan allows you to paint or decorate each room - kitchen, dining room, or office - with a unique personality. An open floor plan can also be an acoustic disaster for some families with young children or loud pets; it’s hard to isolate sounds. In a more separated floor plan, kids can listen to their cartoons around the corner while the adults can host guests downstairs in the living room or a keeping room. Finally, in our environmentally-conscious age, a closed floor plan can allow you to close off unused room to help out your heating or cooling efficiency.

Another big difference between modern and vintage homes is the sheer charm of old houses. Stepping into an old house is like a step back in time to an age where everything was not mass-produced. The careful craftsmanship of an old house is visible everywhere you look. And each feature of the home is built to last; instead of being a fad that was soon replaced. 

Unlike modern houses, which often make the TV the focal point of the home, old houses were built for face-to-face interactions. Hence, the need for separate dining rooms where each meal was treated as an occasion.

Does this mean you should ditch your modern home design for old house design? No! What you can do is borrow some old house trends and integrate them into your home. Below, we list some of the best older home features for you to consider for your modern home.

Walk-in Pantry

It is hard to understand why this old house trend was abandoned. What could be more functional than a walk-in pantry that lets you organize your storage creatively? This feature makes the kitchen much more manageable.

https://www.humphreymunson.co.uk/kitchen/weybridge-project/

Double Pocket Doors

Double pocket doors let you assign or withdraw access easily. Left open, space reverts to an open floor plan. But you can close the doors to give yourself more privacy. This feature comes in handy when entertaining guests and you want to limit access.

Mudroom

Old houses had a small space between the outer door and the home's interior. It served to deaden outside noise and as a place for removing outwear. You can return this old house trend as a mudroom where people can take off coats and muddy boots.

Clawfoot Tub

Looking at these tubs will give you as much pleasure as you get from soaking in them. They are deeper than modern baths and are shamelessly luxurious. Even better, they won't complain if you put them outside in the garden or on the patio.

Ceiling Medallions

This feature encapsulates old house elegance at its best. Nothing says flamboyance like a medallion on the ceiling. They are designed to make people gape and they do just that. Visitors won't be able to resist the urge to look up and stare.

https://www.houseofbrinson.com/2017/09/02/living-room-reveal/

Fireplaces in Every Room

Humans have a fascination with fire which interior heating has not quelled. Imagine the wonder of a dedicated fireplace in the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. If you want to get the most out of this old house trend, go for a wood burning unit!

For these homeowners, it was time to renovate and add onto their home and bring it up to date. They had a huge back yard to expand into, but we also saw an opportunity to add some character to the home by going up. So we did both! We were able to add a couple bedrooms and a new bath upstairs and open up the main floor for continuous flow from the dining room and formal living room to the kitchen and new great room.

We were able to gut and expand their existing kitchen and open it up to the new great room that we added on. Now it’s ready for nights of entertaining and for the family to gather together in every day.

We decided to go with a creamier white cabinet, trim and wall color to reflect the natural light in the space without making it feel too stark with brighter white. We also added some contrast with the warm oak floors and stained island. We made sure to fit as large of an island we could (without crowding the kitchen) so that they had plenty of space to cook, work on homework, and entertain with!

Upstairs, we created a large open space for the family and kids to use and then built 2 bedrooms and a large bath for the family to use. Everyone has their own space now!

Spring has sprung, and as the last frost thaws, you’ll need to break the ice on today’s interior décor trends. The new decade brings change, excitement, and a refreshing look to the modern home. We’ve consulted home design experts like Designed for Downtown to bring you the best tips to invigorate your home in 2020.

We’re All Looking to Evolve

As you set your goals and resolutions for the future and evolve into a more advanced version of yourself, interior décor is following right along. That timeless look we’re all seeking is transforming into something more. Rather than buying quick fixes or filling up a living room with furniture, we’re drawn more toward minimalism and exceptional quality. That could mean fewer chairs or tables overall with an emphasis on high-end items. Evolution also means more ethical purchases. There’s a higher demand for eco-friendly materials like acacia and rattan in furniture.

Built-In Seating

When you’re short on space, which many modern homes tend to be, you can turn a wall into a sitting space to add function and character. Whether you create a reading nook to curl up with a good book or an oversized window for a great view, you can’t go wrong with built-in seating.

Bring on the Color

Neutrals are safe, but they aren’t what’s hot. Saturated hues, jewel tones, and warm colors are on the way up. Shades of pink grounded by earthy tones and lush fabrics bring the look together. Whether you’re tackling cabinetry, walls, or tiles, you can’t go wrong with splashes of color.

Curvy Furniture

We’re taking a few tips from the 70s with wavy, often asymmetrical shapes being used for couches and even chairs. The playful designs make for stellar centerpieces that are easy to build around.

Harmony Armchair from All Modern

Textural Artwork

When it comes to thinking outside the box, nothing compares to fiber artistry. Beautiful tapestries, elaborate quilts, and other statement-making wall hangings are in.  They work as a conversation piece hung above a couch or a soft complementary piece hung in the kitchen.

Art by Japanese fiber artist Kazuhito Takadoi

Connecting with Nature

A more natural take on luxury items is at the forefront of style this spring. Marble finishes and marble accents like vases and bowls have a strong appeal in both bathrooms and kitchens. Rustic wood, whether in the form of a shoe rack, bookshelf, or table, can bring a room together, especially when complemented by houseplants or other natural materials.

Photo provided by Link Apartments; not a project of DfD’s.

A Sense of Calm

Your home needs to be your Zen. That’s why an emphasis on relaxing styles that promote wellness are popping up this spring. Casual fabrics, optimal natural lighting, and minimizing clutter and décor, especially where you first enter your home, can create a feeling of calm that you never knew was possible.

This article is brought to you by Link Apartments® West End, a luxury apartment community in downtown Greenville offering stylish & modern homes available for lease in an unbeatable location!

Like many home renovations, the goal for this remodel was an open kitchen, dining, and living experience for the main floor. Before, the home had an awkward layout of an l-shaped kitchen than winded into separate living spaces and a sunroom. This new floor plan gave room for natural light and the perfect open space for entertaining.

A classic white kitchen with marble veining quartz countertops sets the perfect tone for the home to transform with every season.

The bar area is set as a focal piece on the back wall with access to all areas of the main living space: kitchen, dining room, and outdoor space. The built in wine storage area with beverage cooler is centered between accent glass cabinets for a formal and elegant space.

Frosted 15-lite pocket door separates the kitchen from the large walk in mudroom and pantry space.