10 Ways to Build Historic Charm Into a New Home
Well-chosen interior details like intricate moldings and built-ins add character to new construction
Extensively remodeling or building from scratch doesn’t mean your interiors have to feel brand-new. With carefully chosen architectural details and finishes, you can keep all the modern conveniences while capturing the nostalgic charm of a home that has stood for generations. Here are 10 ways to bring old-fashioned character into a new build, illustrated by a mix of houses ranging from the late 1800s to recently constructed. See if you can tell which is which!
10. Let Surface-Mounted Lighting Shine
Recessed lighting — commonly called can or pot lights — became popular in homes in the 1960s. Since then, LED technology has made them much more discreet and efficient, and they’re ideal for task lighting over sinks, countertops and desks, as well as for spotlighting architectural features. However, a ceiling peppered with numerous can lights is a clear sign of a newer home.
In contrast, older homes relied primarily on a combination of portable lamps and surface-mounted fixtures, including pendants, flush and semiflush mounts and wall sconces.
