Renovating an older home presents unique challenges and opportunities, especially when the property carries architectural significance. The 1872 Italianate house featured in the 2013-2014 season of This Old House offers an excellent case study in balancing historic preservation with modern living requirements. Located in the historic Boston suburb of Arlington, Massachusetts, this project demonstrates how careful planning and skilled craftsmanship can transform an outdated floor plan while honoring a home’s original character. For homeowners and contractors tackling similar projects, understanding the full scope of what such a renovation entails is essential before breaking ground.
The Arlington Italianate, owned by Heather and Malcolm Faulds and their two children, presented a common scenario: a structurally sound 2,100-square-foot home with handsome period details but an impractical layout shaped by decades of piecemeal updates. The family had lived in the house for five years and cherished its historic feel, making preservation a top priority alongside the need for more functional spaces. Their approach offers valuable lessons for historic preservation and remodeling in New England, where older housing stock often demands creative solutions.
Assessing the Existing Structure and Period Features
Architectural Significance of the Italianate Style
Italianate architecture, popular in the United States from roughly 1840 through 1880, is characterized by distinct features that set it apart from other Victorian-era styles. The Arlington house displayed these hallmark elements beautifully: a low-pitched hipped roof, wide overhanging eaves supported by decorative corbeled cornices, tall narrow windows, and a prominent central tower-like element that gives the facade its vertical emphasis.
What made this project particularly rewarding was that nearly all of the home’s exterior details remained intact. The corbeled brickwork, the window hoods, and the overall massing were in excellent condition, meaning the renovation could focus on interior modernization without sacrificing curb appeal. This is a critical point for any historic home renovation: preserving the exterior character while updating the interior is often the most cost-effective and historically responsible approach.
The Interior Layout: Challenges of an Outdated Floor Plan
Despite its appealing exterior, the interior of the Arlington house suffered from problems familiar to many owners of older homes:
- Poor circulation: Rooms were disconnected, making day-to-day movement awkward
- Lowered ceilings: A previous owner had dropped the first-floor ceilings, making rooms feel cramped and obscuring original crown molding
- Outdated kitchen: The existing kitchen was too small and poorly configured for modern cooking and entertaining
- Inadequate storage: The entry foyer had no coat closet, and the mudroom was nearly nonexistent
- Underutilized space: A first-floor playroom and rear office took up valuable square footage that could better serve the family’s needs
These issues are typical of Italianate and other Victorian-era homes, where original floor plans reflected nineteenth-century living patterns that bear little resemblance to how families use their homes today. The key is to identify which walls are load-bearing and which can be removed or altered, a process that requires careful structural analysis before any demolition begins.
Strategic Space Planning for the Renovation
Reconfiguring the First Floor
The Faulds family’s renovation plan centered on improving flow and functionality without erasing the home’s historic character. Several key changes transformed the first floor:
- Entry foyer enhancement: The soaring two-story foyer with its handsome double-L staircase was preserved in its entirety. A new opening was cut into the foyer wall to provide access to a coat closet and mudroom, solving the perennial problem of shoes and coats cluttering the front entry.
- Living and dining room connection: The cased opening between these two formal rooms was enlarged to create a more open feel while keeping each space distinct. This is a classic renovation strategy that improves sight lines and natural light flow without requiring a full open-concept demolition.
- Ceiling restoration: The dropped ceilings in the living room were removed entirely, restoring the rooms to their original height. The team hoped to discover original crown molding behind the dropped ceiling; if not found, new period-appropriate molding would be installed to match the home’s character.
- Playroom conversion: What had been a first-floor playroom was transformed into a coat closet, mudroom, and half bath, all accessible directly from the front entry.
Kitchen Expansion and Rear Addition
The kitchen renovation was the centerpiece of the first-floor plan. A full bathroom located just off the existing kitchen was converted into a pantry, and the enlarged kitchen extended into what had been the home office in a single-story rear bump-out. This created a larger, more functional cooking and gathering space while also setting the stage for a second-story addition above the bump-out.
For contractors handling kitchen remodels in older homes, careful evaluation of existing wiring is critical. Old electrical systems may not support modern appliance loads, and the kitchen wiring upgrades needed before remodeling can significantly affect both budget and timeline. The Arlington project would have required bringing all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems up to current code while preserving as much of the original fabric as possible.
Structural and Material Considerations
Restoring vs. Replacing Historic Materials
Throughout the renovation, the crew faced decisions about which materials to restore and which to replace. This is one of the most challenging aspects of any historic home project, and the choice often depends on the condition of the existing material, budget constraints, and the owner’s preservation goals.
The exterior brick facade of an Italianate house like this one is typically in good condition if it has been properly maintained. However, brick can deteriorate over time due to moisture infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and improper repointing with hard Portland cement mortar. Understanding the difference between restoring versus replacing brick facades is essential, as inappropriate repairs can cause more damage than the original problem.
| Material | Condition | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Brick exterior | Good, with minor repointing needs | Clean and repoint with lime-based mortar |
| Wood cornices | Intact with original corbeling | Preserve and repair as needed |
| Interior trim | Partially obscured by dropped ceiling | Restore original or replicate |
| Staircase handrails | Original but below current code height | Raise to comply while matching style |
| Windows | Original single-pane units | Retain with weatherstripping upgrades |
| Plumbing | Outdated galvanized pipes | Full replacement with modern materials |
Roof and Water Management
Older homes like the Arlington Italianate often have original roof drainage systems that require careful attention during a renovation. The hipped roof with wide eaves characteristic of the Italianate style directs water away from the walls, but the gutters and downspouts must be properly maintained to prevent water damage to the foundation and facade.
Historic homes built before the mid-twentieth century often feature wood box gutters that are integrated into the cornice system. These require specialized knowledge to repair or replace, and homeowners should be aware that historic wood box gutters can fail and need restoration if not properly maintained. The Arlington project included plans to address the rear chimney stack removal, which would alter the roof drainage pattern and require careful reworking of the gutter system in that area.
Second-Foor Transformation and Mechanical Upgrades
Creating a Master Suite
The second floor underwent a substantial reconfiguration to create a true master suite for Heather and Malcolm. The existing four-bedroom layout was rearranged as follows:
- New master bedroom: The existing second-floor bathroom was demolished and replaced with a small laundry room. A new bathroom for the children and guests was located across the hall.
- Master suite addition: Above the first-floor rear bump-out, a new second-story addition created a walk-in closet and a his-and-hers bathroom connected to what had been a blue bedroom adjacent to the original bathroom.
- Expanded master bedroom: The back wall of the future master bedroom was demolished to integrate the new walk-in closet and bathroom, creating a seamless suite.
Basement and Mechanical Systems
Below the main living spaces, the basement received a complete overhaul. The scope of work included:
- Insulation: The subterranean space was fully insulated to improve energy efficiency and comfort
- Recreation spaces: A playroom and media room were added to give the family dedicated recreation areas
- Mechanical reconfiguration: Plumbing and air-handling ducts were rerouted to accommodate the new floor plan above
- Boiler replacement: The old boiler was replaced with a more efficient unit
These below-grade improvements are often overlooked in renovation planning, but they are essential for long-term comfort and energy performance. A well-insulated basement with efficient mechanical systems reduces the load on heating and cooling equipment and helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the house.
Exterior Changes and Landscaping
The exterior of the Arlington Italianate also received attention as part of the comprehensive renovation. The rear chimney stack, which passed through the kitchen and second story, was removed to accommodate the new addition. The house was repainted in period-appropriate colors, and the yard received landscaping improvements to complement the renovated home.
One of the most important aspects of any historic home renovation is ensuring that exterior changes respect the original architectural style. The Italianate aesthetic is defined by specific proportions and details, and any addition or alteration should harmonize with rather than overwhelm the original structure. The Arlington project succeeded in this regard by keeping the addition to the rear of the house, where it did not disrupt the primary facade or the home’s relationship with the street.
Lessons for Homeowners and Contractors
The Arlington Italianate renovation offers several takeaways for anyone considering a similar project:
- Start with a thorough assessment: Understand what you are working with before you start. A professional inspection should cover structural systems, mechanicals, and the condition of historic features.
- Prioritize preservation where it matters: Not every historic detail needs to be saved, but key architectural elements like the staircase, exterior brickwork, and window configuration should be preserved whenever possible.
- Plan for the unexpected: Older homes almost always reveal surprises during demolition. Budget contingencies of 15 to 20 percent are realistic for historic renovations.
- Work with experienced professionals: Contractors who specialize in historic renovations understand the unique challenges of working with old materials and navigating local preservation regulations.
- Think about the whole house: A room-by-room approach can lead to disjointed results. A comprehensive plan that addresses all areas of the home produces a more cohesive outcome.
Renovating a historic home is not simply about updating finishes; it is about understanding the building’s original design intent and making thoughtful choices that extend its useful life while adapting it to modern needs. The Arlington Italianate house project shows that with careful planning, skilled execution, and a deep respect for the craftsmanship of earlier eras, it is possible to have both period character and contemporary comfort.