If you are an experienced wood worker, carpenter or hobbyist, restoring an old home will not be difficult to contemplate. However, if you are not in the trades or have family or friends in the trades, you may be hiring contractors to do the renovation or restoration for you. The difference in costs can be dramatic and the length of time for a restoration can be quite long. Renovation means upgrading a home by new appliances, paint, repairing parts of the home that have been damaged by weather or ware. Restoration means refinishing, repairing, replacing items with materials of similar or like age and appearance. To renovate, you buy materials, equipment and supplies. To restore, you may be haunting junk shops, antique shops, recycle shops, and estate sales to find items similar to what is in or was in your house to maintain the integrity of the original design and features.

You'll want to try as much as possible to keep what is there and refinish or repair. Windows, doors, fireplace mantles, trim, banisters, porticoes are all part of the charm of the Victorian and Colonial homes and if possible, you'll want to preserve these items. One of my most memorable restored old home (circa 1850) was a true restoration with a state of the art kitchen. That was the owners choice and being a gourmet cook, pleased all of her family and friends.

Save those old floorboards if they are salvageable and safe. You will not be able to replace them with anything new with a fraction of the charm. A popular feature in some new homes today is floorboards simulating the old ones, replete with worm holes and cracks. Don't save rotted wood, but preserve sound floorboards for a room or two where ever possible. Treat the wood to preserve it and make sure you exterminate any wood destroying critters.

You can clean, treat and repair those fabulous plaster walls. They will not be perfectly flat, but that is part of the charm. As long as the lathing is sound, the plaster will hold and the walls will be beautiful. Your supply store will have paint that will replicate the paints used years ago.

One of the most charming features in the old homes is the fireplace, which was a center for family gatherings. Save the old mantle place if possible and don't scrimp on the repairs. The fireplace fixtures can be cleaned and blackened and used. Arrange comfortable chairs around the fireplace and get the family together. Get the chimney cleaned and inspected to make sure it is in good working order.

There are many wonderful books on the subject.

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