Everything Old is New Again

The saying goes that everything old is new again, and this adage certainly holds true when noting the renewed interest in home styles of the past. Current home buyers suggest they are captivated by the details found in homes built prior to World War II, and are responding to the charm and character typically found in home construction from that era. Some of the “new again” home styles making a resurgence are Queen Anne homes, bungalows, Colonials, California homes and Italianate styles.

Homes built in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are also showing well, Buyers are interested in any architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and builders of this time period. These homes usually feature design elements including sleek lines, flat roofs, geometric shapes and open floor plans.

Mediterranean-inspired homes were popular in the 1920’s, and experienced a revival in the early 2000’s. Builders incorporated Italian and Spanish touches throughout the interior and exterior, such as stucco siding and tile roofs. These homes are usually multi-leveled, with accents of wrought iron.

When buyers purchase an older home, they choose one of two options. They will keep the original period elements if they are in good shape. For some families, that can mean forming an attachment to speckled-gold Formica countertops and pink or blue tile-squares in the bathroom. If cabinets are solid wood, they may be left alone or returned to their original finish. There is a similar retro movement to retain original windows from pre-WWII homes, refinishing, re-glazing and replacing counter-weights or sash cords. Otherwise, the preference is for dual pane windows.

If the older home has been remodeled one or more times, however, buyers will often decide to update even further to include new-owner must-haves such as:

-          A stainless steel dishwasher

-          Built-in wine cooler

-          Stone, poured cement, glass or granite countertops

-          Maple or glazed cabinets with glass door panels

-          Recessed lighting with hanging fixtures

-          Built-in microwaves with matching cabinetry fronts

-          Recessed lighting combined with hanging fixtures

In the bathroom, glass and stone materials are popular, along with sinks mounted into antique dressers. Brushed nickel is the preferred material for faucets and fixtures, while rain showerheads and hand-help sprayers are popular in tub and shower enclosures.

Contemporary colors for bathrooms are blues, greens and browns, mimicking the outdoors, combined with accents in hues of red and orange.

Open floor plans are still preferred, combining family room, kitchen and dining areas. Media rooms, playrooms and work-out rooms are also desirable.

Buyers are continuing to move away from carpeting, even in the bedrooms. If it is included in a home’s décor at all, its use is very limited. Wood, including exotic hardwoods continue to be popular flooring choices. Bamboo and cork are also popular because of their durability and sustainability.

If a homeowner is lucky enough to find a functioning claw bathtub, it stays. If not, the preference is for a soaking tub or a whirlpool bath.