Recently a reader emailed me interested in the idea of adding vintage character to new construction..on a budget!  Of course the idea of building a new “old home” is common and but often means custom.  Custom for the most part means a generous budget.  With building costs up everywhere, the luxury of custom homes is well, more and more a luxury. Like this kitchen. wow.

Many young families want a unique home but can’t necessarily afford the custom beadboard cabinet doors for the fridge! Luckily there are so many great blogs at our fingertips that have DIY suggestions and fresh ideas for adding character and interest to suburban living and new construction. So that is my first suggestion if you want to infuse character to a newer home. 

• READ BLOGS.  There are so many wonderful blogs like Lettered Cottage, Inspired Home, the Nesting Place, Restyled Home and  Young House Love that are writing wonderful posts on this very topic. Please share other blogs suggestions in the comments..we are all constantly looking for fresh blogs to enjoy.
• BEADBOARD yes we’ve been talking about this a lot lately and it just works, in both old and new homes. In kitchens, baths, hallways, mudrooms, kids rooms..you name it. This is a must in a new old home. Notice how this bath has such a vintage old house feel even though all of the fixtures appear brand spanking new!  Beadboard..of course the pedestals sinks help too!;;  My mom used to have a collection of old bathtubs and pedestals sinks..but that is another post!

• TALL CEILINGS skip the funky tray ceilings and cathedrals..just plain and tall…tall ceilings make even the tiny children’s room just feel fab.
• GOOD TRIMWORK-even just 1×4 or stock trim..maybe adding square medallions at corners.., it doesn’t take a custom millwork..you can find things via catalogs and stock items to beef up trim around doors in main living areas and maybe even throughout the home..just plan ahead and be ready!

• OLD DOORS..not every door in your house but at least 1 or even a few..not even super old but something with some character for a special spot, a hallway closet or pantry..if you know the sizes before the builder starts it sure helps..or skip doors in some areas and add curtains..Especially fun is a an old screen door on a pantry like Layla at the Lettered Cottage did in her dining room pictured below. 

My mom had a picture out of Country Living illustrating this idea in a kitchen on a pantry..it was a corner pantry..anyone remember that image??..I wish i had that tear sheet..she kept it from years.  Can you tell this “new old house” is a concept my mom loves..she built two homes this way..one very custom, one more on a budget.  So many of these ideas are from homes I lived in or ideas I heard my mom discuss. OK, back to our list.

• DOOR KNOBS and HARDWARE..you can shop around online…Van Dykes and D LAWLESS and find glass doorknobs or from junk stores..not every room but maybe a powder room bath door. Just to add a little interest. And for kitchen cabinets think bin pulls and glass knobs…

• ACCESSORIES like an old sign or letters like those pictured above and/or FURNITURE like primitive table in the entry, or a mish mash of old chairs around a “fancy” dining table, etc..can lend so much character and set the tone in your new home..I could go on and on of course, such as..
• OLD MANTLES either on a fireplace or just as furniture. I saw this one at Urban Market in Houston recently…

• LESS CARPET We all love wood floors of course, laminates don’t bother me, shop around and see what you can find or consider stained concrete..  tall ceilings and no carpet instantly give an old house feel I think…

{Schoolhouse light from Restoration Hardware}

• LIGHTING and other fixtures whether it’s old school house lights in the kitchen, a vintage chandelier over the bed or dining table, farm lights outside by garage or backdoor..a few well thought out lights, not necessarily$$$$, will go a long way..I know people who have saved lights for years to use in new homes!
• EXTERIOR skip the brick if possible except for steps, sidewalk or patio.  Wood or similar siding obviously gives a more cottage feel with character or better yet consider PAINTED BRICK.  Oh how I love painted brick…that’s another post in itself!

Last but not least, BE CAREFUL-DON’T OVERDO. Be careful not to go overboard on the vintage elements. One old door here, a bathroom with beadboard, a neat old sign over the kitchen table, etc..but not EVERY element in the home must be one of kind. Just a little effort really will go a long way and you can always add things as you find.

Just remember, character doesnt have to mean custom (aka $$$)!!! Just some planning, thought and creativity! What have you done in your new home to lend character and vintage feel?