6 Wonderful Ways To Add Historical Character To Your Home

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Experiences, challenges and hardships build character, both inside and out. While I typically have thought of these scenarios as building personal character, I have come to see how they also can drive the character of one’s home. The places you have been, the memories you have made and the hardships you have faced frequently leave traces of evidence throughout your home, making your dwelling like no one else’s. In fact, it seems that regardless of the time period, location or project budget, this has rung true. Height measurements are scratched into doorways; initials are carved into trees; stone carvers etch symbols into walls to be paid; monograms are placed at entry points and woven in furnishings. I think that is the beauty of creating a home and learning about design through the ages. Experiencing in person the historical character and craftsmanship of the dwellings and public spaces I have studied and taught through design school has been such a sweet joy these past few weeks. I have been so inspired by the quality and character of these homes and buildings that I wanted to write a post describing six wonderful ways to add historical character to your home. Obviously, living in a mansion or quaint house built in the middle ages is not possible for most of us, but the intentionality, character development and personalized interest displayed in those buildings can inspire the design decisions (at every level of budget!) that we make for our own. 

Integrate Hardware

Regardless of the design styles I have seen or places I have visited, I have been amazed at the unique integrations of beautiful hardware. The hinges, door knockers, handles, pulls, key holes, hooks, gates, vent covers and locks each add their own charming drama to a space. Nice hardware certainly can be an investment (think Emtek or Baldwin) however flea markets, estate sales and brands such as Yester Home and Hardware Etc. Antiques can provide gorgeous hardware (far beyond just knobs!) for reasonable prices. Taking the time to mix in a few statement pieces of hardware, hooks, brackets and covers instantly will add historical charm to your home. 

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Add A Pop Of Color

Another feature that I have been so surprised with (and encouraged by!) is the use of color. So frequently we can think of historical designs as being dark and gloomy or all white and gold. While this can be true and many government buildings or churches have beautiful pale stone facades with white and gold interiors, often shops, homes, apartments, interiors and furnishings are painted an array of colors. From sunshine yellows and calm blushes to bright corals and cornflower blues, the color palettes are diverse and cheerful. Many historical interiors have strong wood tones accented by bright white before balancing with color. 

In more humble historical dwellings, the pop of color primarily resides on the exterior façade while the interior balances between woods and white with the occasional colorful piece of furniture. Churches and regal residences however are quite the opposite, as most have a more demure façade but bring in bright colorful interiors with every fashion of wallcovering, paneling and gilding. To lean into rich, beautiful, historical colors such as these, check out Farrow & Ball’s collections of paints. Operating out of the UK as a luxury paint manufacturer, Farrow & Ball has their own special formula that gives particular depths and finishes to their paints, however they can be expensive for an entire house. Seeing this, you can order their paint card for free and have their paints somewhat “color matched” by other popular paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Behr. Either way, their colors are lovely and provide the timeless, historical punch that is frequently seen in European designs. 

Play With Patterns

Once you’ve added a pop of color, bring on the pattern! Historically in a global sense, patterns often have held great meaning when added to homes and décor. Some can be as bold and meaningful as large tribal designs (like I discussed HERE about Oushak rugs), while others are interesting and stylish without a particular significance. Florals, vines, landscape scenes, toiles, repeating motifs and general attractive filigree designs are the most commonly seen patterns integrated throughout these spaces. Integrating patterns through tiles, paints, wallcoverings or furniture gives a richness and local charm that can speak just to your space.  

One pattern I have seen used extensively has been the angled checkered floor pattern. Set at a 90 degree turn (to prevent a full checkerboard effect), these diamond shaped checkered floors are gorgeous and very simple to replicate at any scale of budget. Simply choose square tiles (normally 12”x12”, 18”x18” or 24”x24”) and alternate the design between two colors during the installation. While many of these designs historically have been shown in marble, limestone, terracotta or other natural stone, the same look can be accomplished with porcelain, ceramic or even concrete tiles. Using this classical style, you instantly can elevate an everyday (and perhaps budget friendly) tile into a unique design that is sure to be timeless and elegant. 

Design Motifs

Just like with patterns, historical furnishings and dwellings are filled with design motifs. Whether using Greek key, dentil and egg and dart patterns in the crown molding of a room or rosettes and acanthus leaves on friezes, ceilings, and columns, it seems that classical design motifs find their way into a plethora of surfaces. Many of these motifs also are used in the patterns discussed above such as the guilloche (interwoven circles) motif in the floor mosaics of Chapelle Saint-Leon IX in Eguisheim, France. They harken back to the classical designs of antiquity throughout the time of the Greeks and Romans. Even furnishings bear these designs, as shown with the acanthus leaves, rosettes, beading, fluting and guilloche motifs carved into the frame of the settee above from Dom Quartier in Salzburg, Austria. 

While you might not have the ability to totally change your moldings or furniture (although if you’re renovating, go for it!), it can be quite simple to add trim with these (or similar) design motifs to pillows, curtains, furniture and other items throughout your home. Many designer brands such as Schumacher, Thibaut, Robert Allen, and Scalamandre have lovely trims, however other shops like Ribbonworks Designs also have a nice selection with offerings from around the world. Similarly, Ballard Designs , Martha And Ash and other shops carry premade or custom drapes, pillows and shades with trims already added. Whether through trim, moldings, furniture or other ways, adding design motifs can give a nod to the historical designs over the ages. 

Architectural Details

While patterns, design motifs and hardware can be implemented fairly easily and bring charm almost instantly, adding architectural details can sometimes become a bit more involved. Perfect for DIY projects, renovations or new builds, architectural details of moldings, doors, windows, shutters, fireplaces and cabinetry can bring a HUGE amount of historical charm. Certainly adding in details like these do not have to be antiques, however sometimes the quality and finish of an antique surpasses a piece bought new when thinking in terms of budget and style. Sure, antiques might have a few wear marks, but they just add to the story of the piece and your home. The Antique Tobacco Barn in Asheville (as I discussed HERE) and the Antiquities Warehouse in Phoenix (they also have an online site and will ship!) can be great places to find unique stained glass, windows, doors and other antique building components. 

When purchasing new details (beyond antique windows, doors and stained glass), Decorators Supply Corporation in Chicago is a great resource known for their artistic craftsmanship since 1883. Drawing inspiration and education from European immigrants over the decades, their product lines of moldings, ceiling medallions, corbels, vent covers, range hoods etc. are simply stunning. Built from a variety of woods or plasters, each of their pieces brings charm, elegance and quality to a space. 

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Window boxes

Last, but certainly not least, don’t hesitate to incorporate window boxes! While hardware or design motifs can be easy accessories to add either indoors or outdoors, window boxes are purely for outdoor curb appeal. Despite not being perhaps the first thing you think of when adding historical charm, window boxes are frequently found adorning windows on a plethora of historical buildings. Laden with blooms, these boxes instantly add cheer and charm to a façade and can be a great way to grow flowers and herbs. 

Final Thoughts

Whether in the US or abroad, merging travel, history and design is a huge passion of mine, so I have loved looking at each of these ways to add historical character to your home. There is an endless amount of knowledge and inspiration that we can glean from the design styles over the ages, so let’s pursue them! With several of these tips being easily implementable and others a bit more involved, you can continue to build the character of your home over time so that it becomes the sweetest reflection of you. So, what do you think? Are you drawn to designs that are full of historical interest or would look to implement them in your own home? I would love to know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Happy designing!

Chloe

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