When bulldozers tore into the White House’s East Wing to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, the project underscored the challenge of how to renovate a home while honoring its history.
President Donald Trump has embarked on a ballroom addition estimated to cost between $250 million and $300 million, demolishing the East Wing in October to make way for it. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, according to a White House statement.
While plenty of people have opinions on the president's plans for the "People's House," the debate may sound familiar to anyone who has tried to update their historic home.
In many communities, changes to historic facades often go before special panels set up to ensure the distinctive character of a home is preserved. The ensuing discussions can become quite testy as property owners seek to retain control of what happens to their own homes and communities strive to protect their architectural and cultural values.
"I believe in honoring the home’s history, preserving the character, craftmanship, [but] we need to make it functional for modern living," said Lissandra Castillo, an interior designer and founder of Miami-based 21 design and construction. "A 1920s kitchen is not what somebody wants nowadays."
Historic preservation experts offer their tips on how to navigate that divide:
1. Stick with the bones of the house
Maintain the original layout to honor how the home was originally designed. Maintain the essence of each room as it was designed, so avoid knocking down [interior] walls to create an open floor plan.
— Michael Shafir, CoStar director of architecture and building classification
Use the formal dining room for both dinner parties and as an alternative space, such as a library or a room for the kids to do homework.
— Sharon Merrick, real estate agent with Charlottesville, Virginia-based Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
2. Keep the flooring and the original plaster and wood trim
These characteristics preserve the charm of a home and are hard to replicate with the same quality these days. Original wood flooring or tile, in particular, adds value. If you need to update a section, try reclaimed wood or matching the original tile.
— Merrick
3. Choose colors from the home's time period
Find the historical color palettes used for the interior and exterior of that style of home when the residence was built.
— CEO Belkis Cruz of Maple Grove, Minnesota-headquartered Casamia
"We have always found the local historical commission or historical society to be a tremendous resource for color selection, exterior details and the like. They are knowledgeable and eager to help."
—Mark Philben, project developer for Charlie Allen Renovations in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Craftsman bungalows tend to have earthy hues paired with warm neutrals, so painting them in a glossy pink or teal would be out of character. A Victorian with a stark modern minimalist vibe would be out of keeping with a home style known for its opulence.
4. The little details matter
Keep some old features and tiny details and match the replacements to the originals. Think doorknobs, light fixtures, etc.
— Shafir
"We always endeavor to rebuild and weatherstrip the original windows in a home. Ideally, the front door as well. With some craftsmanship and in the case of the windows, an appropriate storm window, they can be made almost as tight as a new setup."— Philben
5. Take care when adding on
An extension connected to the main house at a lower level — think a staircase leading to a new wing or addition — could detract from the flow of the existing floor plan.
New wings should complement the style of the existing residents yet be noticeably different, like the work of Washington, D.C.-based Robert Gurney, which is a prime example of how to preserve the old while embracing the new.
Any addition should be smaller, separate and set back from the original residence.
— Shafir
There is no better way to honor our own history than to preserve what was built by the craftsmen of the day. They are windows and reflections on our past that can be enjoyed by everyone simply by walking through a neighborhood on a summer afternoon.
— Philben