When Chad Faries spotted a tall yellow turn-of-the-century Folk Victorian house draped in Spanish moss along the Wilmington River in Savannah, Georgia, he knew he had found something special. The property, which he would later name Diamond Oaks after its striking porch-railing design and the towering live oak that first caught his eye, became a decade-long labor of love. This article explores the techniques, materials, and creative approaches used during this remarkable restoration. For homeowners considering similar projects, understanding how to work with traditional building materials is essential, and our Pressure Treated Southern Pine Guide offers detailed information on selecting the right lumber for period-appropriate renovations.
Assessing and Planning a Folk Victorian Restoration
The first step in any successful remodel is a thorough assessment of the existing structure. The Diamond Oaks property, believed to date to around 1903, was originally built as a simple square two-story house, with the kitchen and bathroom located in separate outbuildings that were later integrated through a one-story addition at the rear. Understanding this evolution was critical to planning the restoration work.
Chad Faries arrived with hands-on experience gained working for Community Building and Restoration in Milwaukee, a company specializing in Victorian house renovations. Under founder Erik Lindberg’s guidance, he learned to handle lead paint, rotted wood, sagging joists, and structural shoring making him well prepared for the challenges of a 100-year-old wood-frame house in humid coastal Georgia. For a closer look at what a full-scale remodel of this nature entails, the Best Remodel 2014 Inside A Model Remodel Video demonstrates professional approaches to similar restoration work.
Key planning considerations included:
- Identifying original structural elements versus later additions
- Assessing termite damage, which had destroyed much of the front entrance including the door and part of the foyer
- Evaluating the condition of the existing heart-pine floors and subflooring
- Planning for knob-and-tube wiring replacement, as a squirrel nest was found embedded in still-active wiring
- Budgeting for materials, often sourced from discount lumberyards to keep costs manageable
The home inspection had missed several issues that became apparent only after moving in, underscoring the importance of getting a specialized inspection on older homes before purchase.
Structural Repairs and Opening Up the Interior
One of the first major projects involved replacing the deteriorated porch railings on both the first and second floors. Chad kept the same stickwork and diamond cutouts that had originally attracted him to the house, often sourcing materials from a discount lumberyard to stay within budget. The termite damage at the front entrance required removing the rotted door frame entirely and enlarging the opening, which turned out to be an opportunity rather than a setback.
With the entrance rebuilt, Chad widened the foyer wall into the living room and opened up the ceiling in several areas. Underneath the plaster and lath in the foyer, he exposed roughcut heart-pine boards that added instant character. He covered the living room walls and ceiling with oriented strand board as a substrate and dust barrier, then applied inexpensive 1×4 pine strips nailed directly to the OSB to achieve an old shiplap look. This cost-effective technique was repeated throughout the house. Proper water management was also essential, which is why learning about Building Gutters For A Victorian House Gutter Box Construction became relevant for protecting the newly exposed woodwork.
Another critical structural change involved widening the entrances into the living room, kitchen, and sunporch to channel natural light deeper into the house. Chad’s goal was to create a sight line from the front door all the way to the backyard, transforming the formerly dark and chopped-up interior into an open, airy space.
Navigating Code Requirements During an Extensive Remodel
Any comprehensive restoration of a century-old home requires careful attention to modern building codes. When Chad vaulted the kitchen ceiling, originally covered with plastic latticework hiding a poor drywall job, he exposed the roof structure and installed a pair of skylights. In total, he installed eight skylights throughout the house, none of which have leaked even through Savannah’s intense afternoon thunderstorms. The key, he explains, is proper flashing. Understanding What Must Be Brought Up To Code During A Remodel Understanding Building Code Requirements For Renovations helps ensure that structural changes are safe and legal.
Common code considerations for a Folk Victorian restoration include:
| Building Element | Common Issue in Old Homes | Required Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical wiring | Knob-and-tube wiring still active | Full rewiring to modern standards |
| Structural framing | Sagging joists, termite damage | Sistering or replacement, engineering approval |
| Roof structure | Modified ceilings, added skylights | Proper structural support and waterproof flashing |
| Windows and doors | Rotted frames, enlarged openings | Header sizing per current span tables |
| Insulation | None or deteriorated material | Minimum R-value per climate zone |
| Floor systems | Uneven subfloors, previous alterations | Leveling and structural reinforcement |
Chad’s meticulous approach to flashing the skylights demonstrates a principle that applies across all code-related work: shortcuts lead to leaks and failures. In coastal Georgia, where heat, humidity, and water are constant challenges, proper installation is non-negotiable.
Creative Kitchen Renovation on a Budget
The kitchen, sitting at the center of the house, received particular attention. Chad bumped out walls to create more space and incorporated texture and visual interest through repurposed materials. He removed old wainscoting from the walls and reused it to face the drawers and sides of a small island, leaving much of the original chippy white paint intact and adding other colors from leftover cans. Stock home-center cabinets were dressed up with inexpensive mahogany strips to give them a custom look.
The floor became one of the most distinctive features in the house. After pulling up vinyl flooring, Chad removed thousands of staples from the subflooring and decided to paint the worn wood floors rather than attempt a full restoration. He chose a compass rose design, reflecting his lifelong interest in maps and travel, and it fit perfectly with the angular diamond motifs used throughout the house. He drew the design in a single morning, and three local artist friends joined to fill it in with colors from his stockpile of leftover paint cans, working until 3 AM to complete the project.
The kitchen’s color palette included Butter Cookie on the walls, Ultra Pure White on the trim, and Dark Navy on the floor. Vintage stained-glass and leaded-glass windows found at rummage sales were incorporated by enlarging existing openings and creating new ones to showcase the finds.
Upstairs Spaces and the Tree House Addition
On the second floor, Chad created an intimate reading nook that doubles as a napping spot and a gateway to a side deck leading to the tree house. He described his approach as creating magical Peter Pan spaces around the property. The stairway, once dark and enclosed, became a bright and airy pathway with built-in shelves holding his growing library. The second-floor landing showcases collections of rare books, poetry chapbooks, and eclectic finds that make the space feel curated rather than cluttered.
The third-floor attic was transformed into a proper master bedroom with its own balcony and six skylights. The room features repurposed wood and shutters on the walls and ceiling, with old sash frames surrounding vintage postcards and prints. The color scheme uses Dark Navy on the walls with Ultra Pure White trim.
The most ambitious addition was the tree house built around the magnificent live oak. Chad figured out the engineering through online research, essentially building a deck in the tree with help from a friend who had been a climbing instructor. The platform features an engine hoist mechanism that suspends a hanging bed 35 feet above the ground, complete with a working chandelier and mosquito netting. Remarkably, this entire structure survived Hurricane Matthew and its nearly 80 mph winds in 2016.
Lessons for Period Home Restoration
The Diamond Oaks project offers several takeaways for anyone tackling a Folk Victorian or similar period home restoration. First, hands-on experience with historic building techniques is invaluable. Chad’s training in Milwaukee taught him skills that directly applied to his own home, from dealing with lead paint to proper flashing methods. For more details on the specific guttering systems that protect these old structures, see our guide on Building Gutters For A Victorian House Design Materials Construction Methods And Quality Assurance.
- Build a network of skilled helpers: Chad gathered a small army of fellow artists and friends to assist with demolition, painting, and specialized tasks. Each person contributed their unique skills to the project.
- Embrace creative reuse: Repurposed wainscoting became kitchen island facing, salvaged French doors replaced a rotted entrance, and vintage stained-glass windows were integrated into walls.
- Work within budget constraints: Stock cabinets upgraded with mahogany strips, discount lumberyard materials, and leftover paint cans all helped keep costs manageable while still achieving a high-quality result.
- Plan for ongoing maintenance: In coastal Georgia, the battle against mold, mildew, rot, termites, and algae is never-ending. Budget for both the initial renovation and the long-term upkeep.
- Respect the original architecture: Even while making dramatic changes, Chad preserved the diamond motif, the Folk Victorian character, and the relationship between the house and its magnificent tree.
The result is a home that Chad describes as uniquely his own, a constantly evolving creative project that honors its past while embracing its present. For anyone considering a similar path, the key is to approach the work with patience, creativity, and respect for the original craftsmanship that has already survived a century.