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There’s nothing like a home with personality. Whether it’s vintage finds, heirloom items, or original artisan details, historic homes tell stories and infuse living spaces with details and character that are difficult to recreate. But if you’re wondering how to preserve a home’s historic features while still keeping it functional and livable without interfering with its ease of daily living, HGTV’s Drew Scott It is best to follow the advice of experts. Drew Scott, one half of the dynamic duo The Property Brothers, is no stranger to building homes people love. For Scott, it’s all about preserving, restoring, and adding attractive features that blend with the overall aesthetic of the home.
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For this Property Brother, that means knowing the latest features that homeowners and buyers prioritize, like stone kitchen countertops and oversized master baths. Incorporating these into your home, along with historic elements such as flooring and furniture that are rustic, clean, functional and in good condition, is the best way to blend character and function. Whether you’re looking to add more character to your modern home or are renovating a historic home, we’ll help you decide what unique elements to include and where to modernize your home. It’s not difficult to decide. Below, we break down Drew Scott’s advice and share what to keep, remove, and add to create the perfect blend of character and function in any home.
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Features that seamlessly blend the functionality and individuality of a home
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According to Drew Scott, there are several home features that are the perfect blend of character and function to add aesthetic appeal and character without compromising the home’s livability. To illustrate this point, Scott took an updated tour of the historic home on YouTube and pointed out his favorite features. Original wooden floors are included in the list of elements that express individuality. Homeowners may need to find ways to bring old hardwood floors back to life, but in Scott’s opinion, it’s worth the effort for the rustic charm. An old brick fireplace and original pocket doors to the living room or study are also on Scott’s list.
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“I love seeing homes like this that maintain the right kind of charm, and they’ve updated it to give it more functionality,” Scott shared. “This is the kind of home that any buyer would want.” Space permitting, the bathroom is well-suited for a freestanding clawfoot tub and mosaic tile to add a historic touch. Scott’s caveat is that everything that’s old needs to be in good condition and working order, so as not to sacrifice functionality or make the home look outdated. Finally, Scott says if your home doesn’t have furniture with a story, you can add a few well-chosen old items, like reclaimed wood shelving, a vintage bathroom vanity, or vintage decor. .
Elements that need to be upgraded or removed
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Balance is the key to bringing your personality into your home. If you’re going the “property brothers” route, you might want to follow Drew Scott’s advice to update certain home elements to keep your home looking fresh and functional. Look for things in your kitchen that feel outdated and remove, replace, or upgrade them. Scott recommends polished quartz countertops and newer, taller kitchen cabinets. It’s also worth updating fixtures like faucets and sinks. The same applies to other rooms in the house. Balancing attractive features and modern flair is key, so don’t be afraid to update things like lighting and furniture and choose more contemporary options.
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Drew Scott is also a fan of repainting walls and doors to change or enhance a home’s aesthetic or incorporate more modern tones like dark gray. The key is knowing what modern amenities homeowners and buyers want in their homes for style, longevity, and ease of daily living. For example, a small master bathroom may be historic, but it can become more of a hassle than it is attractive. Changing the layout of an older home to make the bathroom larger or adding modern elements like a large double vanity won’t take away from its personality, but will improve its functionality. Whether you lean toward the old or the new, create a timeless home with balance and harmony.
