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WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PLANNING TO RESTORE OR RENOVATE A HISTORIC HOME

EXTERIOR:  It can be challenging to see that the outside appearance conforms to historical standards while accommodating the house to new modern changes.  You may want to put in impact or energy efficient windows and doors.  Find a contractor who can install new triple-paned glass and keep the original frames.

RESOURCES: Check out your state office of historic preservation, local preservation associations and historic groups, and renovation networks.

MAJOR CHANGES: Find a contractor and architect who have experience with preserving older homes while replacing elements within and without.  Look at their examples of historic renovations.  They should consider the floor plan, size and shape of the rooms, lighting, hardware and architectural elements to preserve, e.g pecky cypress ceiling, arched doorways and windows, fireplaces, flooring.  Be sure they are familiar with the construction techniques and unique features of your home’s time period.

SUPPLIES: Find companies that make new materials with an “old look”, showing the patina of age.  They can sometimes be found at demolition sales, flea markets, salvage years and retail stores featuring restoration items.

  

COST: Start with a focus on one or two projects such as replacing the molding and/or windows (as described above), and repairs to needy items.

It is indeed a challenge to see that your house retains its true historic character, and to stay within budget.  You can make the changes in steps, focusing each year on a different project, if the budget does not fit the plans.  Enjoy the restorations and renovations and rest easy knowing you are maintaining history by implementing these plans.

ILHM PRESIDENT WACO MOORE SHOWS THAT 

“LESS IS MORE”

The September 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens features the home of Institute for Luxury Home Marketing President, Waco Moore, built in 1957 and then named as Better Homes and Gardens “Idea House of the Year.”  Waco and his wife Mila Goldman-Moore, who is an architect and served as general contractor after they purchased the house, have kept true to the modern aesthetic, but have incorporated “green features” such as shredded denim insulation and tank-less hot water heaters.  Mila says her favorite element in their bedroom is the easy access to the outdoors and future plans may include a porch with a sleeping alcove in that area.

Before moving in, they stripped the interior down to the studs, maintained the basic floor plan, and removed crown moldings to keep a simplified look.  They also replaced Victorian-style decorative doorknobs. Planning ahead, the inexpensive kitchen cabinets are freestanding, and if they redo the kitchen, they will merely be moved into the garage.  Open storage shelves help to declutter.

Still “The Idea House of the Year,” the Moore’s are in trend with today’s modern times with a non-wasted space floor plan, connections between living areas that are “family-friendly,” natural light streaming in, and a nice indoor-outdoor flow making the house seem larger than its 2100 sq ft.  Towering canopy oaks shade the house and offer breezes and sunlight where it is needed. 

 

THINKING OUTSIDE-THE-BOX: IS THIS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME?

In 1923, a rare-book dealer named Alice Millard commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build a home for her in textile block design on an acre of gardens in Pasadena, CA.   He had previously built her a home in Highland Park, IL in 1906.    

The lot had a steep ravine, and Wright designed the home to cling to it, and to be nestled among the trees.  The 3-story 2400 sq ft house’s concrete blocks were made using sand, gravel and minerals found on the property.  The 3 stories spiral around a central chimney.  Redwood ceilings and paneling add warmth.   Filtered, dappled light flows through the house through the perforated blocks and tall windows. There are 4 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, a living room and a formal dining room.

He used roughly textured, earth-toned blocks to blend the color and form of the house to the trees and hillside, different from his other designs but in keeping with his love of natural materials and belief that buildings should complement their surroundings.  The blocks were created in wooden molds with modernized Pre-Columbian patterns on the outside and smooth insides and featured a symmetrical pattern of a cross with a square in each corner. They were reinforced with conventional mortar.  While the budget was $10,000, the project cost $17,000.

First floor has the kitchen, servant’s room and a dining room that opened to a terrace and reflecting pool.  Second floor has the main entrance, guest room and 2-story living room with fireplace and balcony.  Third floor had Millard’s bedroom with balcony overlooking living room and outdoor terrace.

The house, like many of Wright’s homes, had leaks during rains but nevertheless Millard added a separate studio in 1936 which Wright’s son, Lloyd Wright, designed. It was initially greeted with criticism and laughter, but today some considered Millard House one of Wright’s best works. It has the feeling of living in a work of art. 

In 1926, the house was ranked by a panel of 10 distinguished citizens and architecture experts  as one of the 12 most significant landmarks in the Los Angeles area.  In 1980 the New York Times mentioned that Millard House was world-famous and ranked it among the few Los Angeles buildings that have become classic works of the 20thC.

The house was reported to have been purchased in 2000 for $1.3MM with restoration estimates at least double since “glass was incorporated internally into the concreted blocks by hand” which caused imploding/exploding difficulties in all of Wright’s concrete-block houses in Los Angeles.  There are four such houses built by Wright in Pasedena.  Once on the market for $15MM. Price now is $7.495MM. 

What is the out-of-the-box idea?  Selling to a Japanese art-collector and moving the house to Japan. 

FABULOUS VIRGINIA PALACE NEAR WASHINGTON, DC IS FOR SALE

Luxury features and amenities abound in a beautiful castle in McLean, Virigina, the Chateau Noble, built in 2006, currently on sale for $14,500,000.  

Wrought-iron entrance gates open to circular stone drive.  On two stunningly landscaped acres, atop a hill, there is a 27,000 sq ft chateau with Beaux-Arts focus including arched paned windows, coffered and volume ceilings, beautiful crown moldings, stunning woodwork and built-ins, pretty fireplaces, granite, bluestone terraces and French Doors. 

Upon entry there is a sweeping staircase and coffered dome with Schonbek chandelier.  Stair railing is made of rich black scroll work.

A grand ballroom has gold-limestone flooring and can fit 200 guests with 6 French Doors for entry. 

The library also has coffered ceilings as well as custom bookshelves and pocket doors in mahogany paneling. 

Gourmet kitchen has top-of-the-line appliances, gold granite countertops and recessed lighting.  Formal dining room can set 24.

The more-than-spacious master bedroom suite has a separate sitting room with fireplace.  Closets are fitted with cherry wood built-ins.  Five more ensuite bedrooms each have marble and tile bathrooms.  Three powder rooms are on the main floor.  Lower level has a workout room overlooking a private garden courtyard with 18 C Venetian fountain. 

and oversized steam shower.  The elevator goes to three floors.  Fourth level houses staff quarters and full bath.  Balconies combine brick and cast stone.  Seven gas fireplaces are in the eleven-zone heating system with Carrier air conditioning handlers.  The Crestron wireless control center controls heating and sound and there is a Lutron lighting system.

The pure elegance and grandeur make the home fit for visits from royalty, and yet there is an intimate feeling suitable for family and friends to enjoy the premises of this magnificent home.

THE BRITISH HAVE DONE IT AGAIN WITH THE WORLD’S PRICIEST APARTMENT SALE

THE BRITISH HAVE DONE IT AGAIN WITH THE WORLD’S PRICIEST APARTMENT SALE

Sale price: about $220MM.  London skylines, private wine tasting facilities and top security features including bullet-proof windows and a panic room, SAS-trained bodyguards and floor to ceiling windows with fabulous views of central London were the major attractions to the 6-bedroom 2-floor penthouse in One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, London.  Eye scanners are featured in private elevators to prevent unwanted intruders.  The building is heated using geothermal bore holds sunk 450’ to extract heat from the earth’s crust.  The apartment contains an air purifier to ward off poison gas attacks.  The new owners, anonymous, expect to move in by the end of the year.

Eighty apartments have been sold in this new unique complex, one of the world’s most expensive residential areas.  This upscale neighborhood has an average apartment cost of $30MM.  65% of all properties in the block have been sold with 30% of the buyers Europeans and 25% Middle eastern as the worlds financial elite flock to London, taking advantage of the weakness of the pound.  

There is also tunnel access to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and their 24-hour room service with TV chef Heston Blumenthal opening a fabulous new restaurant and to spas and squash courts and the unit has its own car park.  

“Trophy properties” sales remain strong.  Some speculate that trophy buyers of today might be from Nigeria or the Middle East, with large oil profits facilitating these sales.