Strengthening Old Bones

This home was built during the boom of the Arts & Crafts movement in Southern California, when California’s distinct Craftsman bungalow developed and spread across the country. The home had seen several sets of owners and needed some tender loving care. The roof leaked, and the exterior was covered in vines. Brett Waterman and his team could see the original beauty under the wear and tear.

He said the bones were all there; that is, architectural style details like wainscotting, columns and the lighting were all original and intact. The only part that wasn’t original was the fireplace. That allowed the team to reduce their needs restoring interior design elements and instead focus on larger structural issues.

The large scope of work meant paying close attention to how to spread out the budget over the house. Lee Tosca, Waterman’s design and project manager, said this year was especially difficult when dealing with rising costs of construction, both materials and labor. She added that clients have often been saving for years, so they must have conversations about how best to use the available funds. "We talk to clients about spacing out the work," she said.

"What really needs to be achieved? Can it be grouped into phase one and phase two?"

"Many people, when they fall in love with these old homes, they’re so afraid to touch it because they’re afraid they might damage it," Waterman said. That disrepair, though not purposeful, changes the job into bridging the gap between restoration and renovation, he said.

"If you live in an old home it doesn’t need to look brand new. It needs to look maintained."

Start with the essentials: maintain the structural soundness and safety of the home.