I love living in older buildings, which in contrast to new suburban homes make me say old-man things like "They just don't make houses like this anymore!" But admittedly, old homes do have their modern inconveniences. Russell Versaci's solution to that problem: designing new homes that look old, using traditional forms and salvaged architectural materials. His coffee table book, Creating a New Old House: Yesterday's Character for Today's Home ($26.37), makes a great case, with broad pages full of beautiful homes that you'd think were ages old if no one told you otherwise.
The book puts forth Versaci's pillars of new-old design, including working within architectural rules and using authentic details and durable materials. His points are illustrated immaculately by the gallery of homes that follow, including an 18th century German stone farmhouse/mansion, a Creole cottage with a pigeon roost, a Spanish-revival stucco in California, and a regal Maryland plantation. Even if you don't have the luxury of living in a new-old house, you'll get scads of decorating ideas on how to create the look in your own home.
Triumph
John Frieda
Hugo Boss
This would be a great gift idea...
1Thank goodness someone's as tired of McMansions as I am. I never want to live in a place that's characterless and cookie-cutter.
2I personally think that you can make your house have character and look personal without it looking old. Modern is completely my style.
3This is so cool. We're building a new house right now, and as much as it's wonderful to be having a new house built, a part of me gets kinda jealous when i see old houses and how cool and intricate they are
4I love this! Making a new house look and feel like an old farmhouse would be wonderful.
5Oooo, I want this book and I want to build a house like those in this book. I dream of having a Craftsman Bungalow but hubby thinks they are all money pits. If I could build old new, I think we both would be happy.
6Looks like a great book with lots of ideas!
7very cool. i'll be checking this one out myself! yay old (or old looking) houses!
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