Help me find old-house decorating ideas | How About Orange

July 10, 2013

Help me find old-house decorating ideas


I haven't moved in yet, but I've been searching the web for inspirational photos of old homes with dark woodwork paired with modern furnishings. I'd love our house to be eclectic— a mix of modern / industrial paired with the traditional elements that are already part of the 1899 house.

Trouble is, on most of the decorating sites I've looked at, all the trim has been painted white. It's actually sort of challenging to find examples of dark wood plus modern style.

CB2's little Mix in Modern slideshow is a great example. Check it out! An image is above.

Have you guys seen inspiring photos online? I started a Pinterest board for old house ideas, and I wish I could open it so everyone could add pins. That's not possible as far as I can tell; I'd have to invite you all one by one using your email addresses. Besides not having them, it would take a gazillion years to enter them all.

So if you come across any nice photos, could you share them? Either:
1) Paste the link in a comment here. I'll pin them to the Old House Ideas board.
Or,
2) Tag your finds on Pinterest with hashtag #oldhouseideas in the image description.

Maybe other folks have the same type of home and can benefit from some inspiration, too. Thanks!

47 comments:

Grandma G said...

You have great readers... you'll probably have more pin potential than you'll know what to do with! ;) Can't wait to see!

Mum

ann said...

I live in an old home, built in 1924, so I know how dark they can be. And we don't even have dark trim. Ran across this with a few pics that are pretty good. Hopefully a bit inspirational!

http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2011/06/theres-no-reason-to-let-dark-trim-impede-on-your-mad-decorating-prowess-skillz/

Céloche said...

Hi,

Sorry for my english...
On this web site, there are a plenty of ideas :
http://inspirationsdeco.blogspot.fr/
http://www.designsponge.com/
http://benita-le-blog-deco.blogspot.fr/
I like very much the first one!
The front of your new house is very great!

Céline

Anonymous said...

You could try using a hashtag on Pinterest specific to this...and encourage your readers to do the same on their own boards!

Sam said...

I'll be on the lookout! I love the idea of mixing dark woods with whites/light grays and bright colors, so I can't wait to see how you do it.

After looking at the pictures in your last post, I think starting with some white or super light gray walls - as opposed to the gold and orange that's currently there - will make an enormous difference towards light & bright! In the end, I think you'll be happy if you leave the trim dark.

This home has its fair share of wood floors/trim: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/jen-omars-inspired-apartment-h-128034

Anna said...

http://community.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/color/2011

and here is a whole idea book http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12237013/thumbs/Interior-Paint-with-Dark-Wood-Trim

Unknown said...

I have a very similar problem in our midcentury rambler! Here's one good link: http://www.designsponge.com/2011/05/sneak-peek-meghan-mcewen-of-designtripper.html

Nina said...

Jess, your new house is AMAZING! No specific links for you, but you might try looking towards Europe. It's not an unusually old house by our standards, lots of us live in older places than that. The dark wood has a kind of William Morris-type look to me, not sure if that's accurate though. Also, I'm thinking of the stylish Danes and all their teak. Should be some ideas there. Good luck with the move and the decorating!

Dog Mom said...

Bless you! I really love the link that Ann attached - what beautiful decorating! This is not a great pic, but I'm at work and it was the only one on my phone. We are attempting the mix of modern and old in our house with the dark trim. The blue you see is an Ikea sectional. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201051469002584&l=0e3c9a5d83

Megan said...

Hey Jessica, here are some links. It can be daunting when undertaking an old house....but oh so worth it.
http://pinterest.com/pin/189291990561042778/

http://pinterest.com/pin/189291990561042769/

http://www.houzz.com/projects/4295/Sheridan-Rd--Highland-Park-home-renovation

http://www.houzz.com/projects/27269/Pemberley

http://pinterest.com/pin/189291990561042800/

http://pinterest.com/pin/189291990561042808/

These are just a few...hope it helps. Best of luck with everything

Jessica Jones said...

Guys, thank you!! I'm on a 5 minute break from packing boxes, and I can't wait to look through all these! I'd better wait until I make more packing progress. It will be my reward later today.

Kim said...

I was going to mention the Houzz site too, but looks like others beat me to it!

I'm not sure if you've seen this blog, but it is one my favorites that I follow. It's actually right next to yours in my Feedly reader: http://www.younghouselove.com/ One thing I like about their blog is they do reader redesigns so you can see what other people/bloggers are doing for renovations too.

Crazy Mom! said...

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/old-house-renovation-paint-or-stain.shtml
http://www.decoradventures.com/2012/09/why-ill-never-paint-our-wood-trim.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_5208179_early-1900-house-colors.html

Jessica Jones said...

Awesome!

Anonymous, a Pinterest hashtag is a great idea. I've updated the post to propose #oldhouseideas as a tag.

Unknown said...

Check out the house tour on the makingitlovely blog:
http://makingitlovely.com/house-tour/


Tania said...

As always DesignSponge has some awesome examples. This house is one of my favourites. Although probably small compared to yours, it also started out pretty dark, but love how light and airy it is now.

http://www.designsponge.com/2012/08/before-after-small-home-redo.html

Valentina said...

This selection of pins maybe will do:
http://pinterest.com/pin/106467978663967837/
http://pinterest.com/pin/160722280424030498/
http://pinterest.com/pin/40250990389995795/
http://pinterest.com/pin/238550111481795980/
http://pinterest.com/pin/95771929546150029/
http://pinterest.com/pin/10555380346132733/
http://pinterest.com/pin/220676450464118815/
http://pinterest.com/pin/68719540905/
http://pinterest.com/pin/76420524900093741/
http://pinterest.com/pin/311029917985940462/
http://pinterest.com/pin/313703930263942404/

Anonymous said...

I don't know any good websites, but I have an idea with the dark trim. Maybe you could paint small, simple designs like stylized branches (kind of like on the curtain in your old office) with orange or other colorful paint.

Loren said...

You probably already read her but Anna Dorfman does some really cool modern things with her brownstone house. Also she has a new apartment with dark trim.
http://www.doorsixteen.com/category/apartment-brooklyn/

Walla Walla Mama said...

Although this project added some very modern elements to a traditional victorian, the thing I like is that some of the woodwork was painted and some was left dark. It made for a fresh, unique look. http://www.remodelista.com/posts/victorian-revamped

Sarah said...

http://www.donovanhill.com.au/

these architects work mainly on new buildings but they have a lot of dark timber in their designs.

Caitlin at Salty Oat said...

This house came to mind: http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/2009/04/everything-i-love-home-tour.html, as did this one: http://smileandwave.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/my-entry-1.html Congrats on the new house!

Sara B said...

Lets see if I can dig anything up!
http://pinterest.com/pin/171770173260092025/
http://pinterest.com/pin/171770173257183059/
http://pinterest.com/pin/171770173257156691/
Hmm...not quite, but maybe something will strike a creative chord!

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

This could have a few ideas for you:

http://www.houzz.com/dark-stained-wood-trim

Good luck with it all - the place looks fantastic!

Christina said...

Check out this house that was used in Charmed: http://www.mrkate.com/2013/02/04/design-inspo-authentic-victorian-house/

They keep things very original but maybe there are things you see which you could do with a modern twist?

Beky said...

Try these boards http://pinterest.com/kirstieshome/

Patty said...

I'm wondering if some of the trim could be covered with fabric - like you did the door in your apartment, though maybe solids instead of prints.

Jessica Jones said...

Or maybe curtain panels that just hide the edges of the window casings...

Jessica Jones said...

Guys, all your links are awesome! I've been pinning my faves. Wonderful, thank you for all the help! You're the best!!!

cHim-prints said...

Houzz is the best place for any decorating needs. Just name your decor dilemma in the search box. They will provide you with (usually) hundreds of photos with so many ideas your head will spin! Inside... outside... they have it all.

I love Houzz. I once searched for "corrugated metal" and saw amazing ideas.

Unknown said...

Maybe you also like the Dutch design Pastoe. This is the website: 100year.pastoe.com. You can read the book which contains lots of Dutch design classics from the 60s and 50s.

Unknown said...

soo...this house has some WILD colors/decor, but it's old (in a Historic District in Dayton OH) and has dark wood...and I walked thru it with my bro when he was house hunting: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/121-James-St-Dayton-OH-45410/35079795_zpid/

Jessica Jones said...

Wow! I LOVE that they put their own stamp on that place. Not what I would I would pick, but it's inspiring in its own way. Wheels are turning.... And I think their red kitchen cabinets are cool.

Jessica Jones said...

Unknown, I'm having trouble getting that link to work, but you've made me curious. I will google Pastoe.

Erin said...

hope my pins give you some inspiration!

Unknown said...

here's another historic house with the original wood trim...it's for sale so doesn't have the best pics, but there are a few that might be inspiring! :)
http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/3-bed-Single-Family-home-for-sale-by-owner-233-Morton-Avenue-45410/23942083?provider_id=28079

TIP: you may be able to find some pics of home interiors on some of the historic neighborhood websites, too. Here are a few in Dayton:
http://mcphersontown.com/homes/
http://www.stanneshill.org/

and there's this that I pinned with uber dramatic black trim!
http://pinterest.com/pin/217369119484564412/

Karin Corbin said...

try searching with the keywords
"industrial chic"

Jessica Jones said...

Karin, PERFECT. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

It's interesting because houses this old are just pretty standard here in the UK and most people wouldn't give it a second thought to painting the trim white. History is as history does. Or something. Anyway, paint those suckers white! Rachel

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica,
Here's another Canadian decorating magazine. You may find something on this site.
http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/styling-secrets/refresh-your-home-in-30-days/a/34454/18

Laura

Jessica Jones said...

Thanks, Laura!

Jasmina said...

Hi!

Library Desk: http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/jill-brinson-rustic-design#slide-13

Wall Art on the stairs: http://artdata.net/comfortable-living-room-interior-decorating-ideas-with-amazing-wall-art/amazing-wall-art-pictures-decoration-near-stairs-in-living-room-interior-decorating-designs-ideas

some ideas from sneak peek: zoe johns & max catalano via design&sponge: http://www.designsponge.com/2012/05/sneak-peek-zoe-johns-max-catalano.html

mismatch dining room (original source design&sponge): http://pinterest.com/pin/12033123974492850/


living/dining room (p.s. can't find the source, just my pin): http://pinterest.com/pin/12033123974770957/

Happy searching :-)

Jessica Jones said...

Jasmina, I'm excited to look at these. Thank you!

Laura Kathleen said...

I don't have an older house, but I do have dark walnut bedroom furniture. We painted the bedroom in Behr's "Drowsy Lavender" a sort of greyish purply color, and it is beautiful with the dark woods, and very restful. It looks different in different light--sometimes more grey, sometimes more lavender. It goes well with white furniture accents and a cloud-like white comforter on the bed.

Jessica Jones said...

Sounds beautiful for a bedroom! I love cool colors with warm brown trim.

Uta said...

So excited to read and see what is becoming of your new home.
I live in Germany. Modern architecture here is still very much influenced by the Bauhaus-design - clear form, functional, not much a variety in materials. Still there are obviously lots of older houses, some modernised in a classy way. Here's an example http://www.schoener-wohnen.de/bauen/umbauen-renovieren/villa/205232-jugendstilvilla-modern-saniert-3.html unfortunately written in German. There are some before (Vorher) and after (Nachher) shots. The text says it used to be very dark inside. The new owners are an American architect and his Dutch partner btw (o=
If asked personally I would go for white walls (German houses don't have coloured walls, don't ask me why), leave the wood as it is, it's great. Maybe allow more light in with more glass if possible in any way, no dark curtains, no dark furniture, carpets etc.
Use light-coloured furniture in clear forms - make the space you have not too crowded...

I hope this is understandable (o=

Uta

Jessica Jones said...

Uta, great suggestions! And I love the link!