Love Your Historic Home: Common and Not-So-Common Details

Let’s time travel back to when homes felt custom-made for the American lifestyle. Integrations and inventions shaped these homes, working to solve daily chores and activities. While some details served purpose and function, others were merely for design and declaration of status. The home was truly a reflection of those who inhabited it. Learn what details of historic homes have stuck around and which have slowly faded into insignificance.

Crown Molding

History: Crown molding dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It was used to visually enhance the transition between walls and ceilings. Early versions were made of plaster and hand-carved wood.

Fun Fact: The intricate designs of crown molding often reflected the wealth and social status of homeowners, with more elaborate patterns found in aristocratic homes.

Modern Appeal

While historically ornate, modern crown molding often takes on simpler, cleaner designs in transitional and contemporary homes.

Wainscoting

History: Originating in the 16th century, wainscoting was initially used to insulate stone walls, protect plaster from damage, and prevent dampness in homes.

Fun Fact: The word “wainscot” comes from the Middle Dutch word waeghe-schot, meaning “wall-board.”

Design Evolution

Traditionally crafted from oak, today’s wainscoting is made from various materials and is often used for aesthetic purposes.

Clawfoot Tubs

History: First popularized in the late 19th century during the Victorian era, clawfoot tubs were considered a luxurious upgrade from traditional wooden bathtubs.

Fun Fact: Early clawfoot tubs were often made of cast iron coated with porcelain enamel, making them durable but extremely heavy.

Symbol of Luxury

The introduction of indoor plumbing made these tubs a centerpiece in bathrooms, representing wealth and modernity.

Stained Glass Windows

History: Stained glass has been around since the 7th century but became prominent in residential homes during the Gothic Revival and Victorian periods in the 19th century.

Fun Fact: Stained glass windows in homes often featured floral or geometric designs, as opposed to religious imagery seen in churches.

Craftsmanship

The vibrant colors were achieved by adding metallic oxides to molten glass, a technique perfected over centuries.

Transom Windows

History: Transom windows—small windows above doors—became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries for ventilation and light.

Fun Fact: Before air conditioning, transom windows allowed cross-ventilation, cooling homes naturally.

Modern Use

They remain a decorative element, especially in homes aiming to mimic traditional or historic styles.

Fireplace Mantels

History: Mantels have existed since the medieval period when they served as functional shelves to catch smoke and protect walls. By the Renaissance, they evolved into elaborate focal points in grand homes.

Fun Fact: In the Georgian era, mantels became increasingly ornate, featuring columns, carvings, and intricate moldings.

Cultural Significance

Fireplace mantels were often a status symbol, showcasing the homeowner’s taste and craftsmanship.

Ceiling Medallions

History: Popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, ceiling medallions adorned chandeliers and were often crafted from plaster or wood.

Fun Fact: These medallions often featured floral, sunburst, or scroll designs and were painted or gilded to match the room’s décor.

Symbol of Elegance

Homes with ceiling medallions were considered refined and elegant, as they required skilled artisans to create.

Brick or Stone Exteriors

History: In colonial America, brick and stone were used for durability and fire resistance. Georgian and Federal styles often featured brick facades with symmetrical designs.

Fun Fact: Handmade bricks were irregular in shape, giving older homes their unique texture and character.

Lasting Appeal

Brick and stone remain popular for their timeless appearance and low maintenance.

Dormer Windows

History: Dormer windows date back to 17th-century French architecture and became a hallmark of Colonial and Victorian homes.

Fun Fact: They were initially used to provide light and ventilation to attics, making them functional and decorative.

Charming Feature

Dormers add charm and depth to a roofline, often enhancing a home’s curb appeal.

Shiplap and Beadboard

History: Shiplap was originally used as a practical solution for barn and ship siding, while beadboard was common in Victorian-era kitchens and bathrooms for easy cleaning.

Fun Fact: Shiplap gained massive popularity in modern design thanks to its rustic yet versatile aesthetic.

Aesthetic Revival

These features are now celebrated in farmhouse, coastal, and cottage-style homes.

Pocket Doors

History: Introduced in the mid-19th century, pocket doors became popular during the Victorian era as space-saving solutions.

Fun Fact: Pocket doors often featured etched or frosted glass panels for added elegance and privacy.

Contemporary Use

They’re still favored for their ability to maximize space in small or open-concept layouts.

Cedar Shake Siding

History: A common feature in New England and coastal homes, cedar shakes provided natural insulation and weather resistance.

Fun Fact: Cedar’s natural oils make it resistant to rot and insects, contributing to its enduring use in construction.

Rustic Appeal

Cedar shakes are iconic in Cape Cod-style homes and remain a symbol of coastal charm.

Cupolas

History: Cupolas were first used in barns and larger homes during the Colonial period for ventilation and as a decorative crown.

Fun Fact: In Islamic architecture, cupolas evolved into domes, symbolizing the heavens.

Modern Adaptation

While less functional today, cupolas are added for visual interest and historic authenticity.

Less Common Details Found in Historic Homes

Built-In Ironing Boards

History: Built-in ironing boards became popular in the early 20th century, especially in Craftsman and bungalow-style homes. They saved space in small kitchens or laundry areas.

Fun Fact: Some of these were cleverly concealed in cabinets or fold-out walls, often doubling as blackboards for notes.

Innovation

These built-ins were an early nod to modern-day multifunctional furniture.

Hidden Caretaker Staircases

History: Found in large Victorian and Georgian homes, these narrow, hidden staircases allowed the home’s caretakers to move discreetly between floors without using the main stairwell.

Fun Fact: These staircases were often plain and utilitarian, contrasting with the ornate design of the home’s public spaces.

Cultural Insight

Their presence highlights the rigid class distinctions of the era.

Milk Doors

History: Milk doors, small cabinets or openings in exterior walls, were common in homes built from the 1920s to the 1940s. They allowed milkmen to deliver fresh bottles without entering the house.

Fun Fact: Many milk doors had two compartments—one accessible from outside and one from inside the house—to keep the milk safe and cool.

Modern Equivalent

These are the precursors to today’s contactless delivery systems!

Speaking Tubes

History: Installed in large homes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, speaking tubes were a primitive intercom system. They connected different rooms or floors, allowing residents to communicate.

Fun Fact: Speaking tubes often featured a whistle that could be blown to signal the other end.

Charming Detail

These tubes often had ornate metal or brass fittings.

Cedar Closets

History: Cedar closets were introduced in the early 20th century as a natural way to repel moths and protect clothing, especially wool garments.

Fun Fact: The natural oils in cedar wood repel pests and provide a distinctive scent.

Status Symbol

Homes with cedar closets often reflected an upper-middle-class lifestyle.

Murphy Beds

History: Invented by William L. Murphy in the early 1900s, these fold-down beds were designed to maximize space in small apartments.

Fun Fact: Legend has it that Murphy created the bed to turn his small living space into a parlor so he could entertain guests.

Revival

Murphy beds remain popular in tiny homes and urban apartments.

Dumbwaiters

History: Popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, dumbwaiters were small elevators used to transport food, laundry, or other items between floors in larger homes.

Fun Fact: These were a must-have in mansions and hotels, and some are still operational in historic homes.

Modern Use

Occasionally repurposed for wine storage or bookshelves.

Cold Pantries or Ice Boxes

History: Before electric refrigerators, homes often had insulated pantries or built-in iceboxes lined with metal or porcelain to store perishable goods.

Fun Fact: Ice deliverymen would bring large blocks of ice to replenish these units regularly.

Sustainability

These spaces were an early attempt at energy efficiency, using natural materials to keep food cool.

Call Buttons

History: Common in homes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, call buttons allowed residents to summon staff to specific rooms.

Fun Fact: Call buttons were often integrated into baseboards, walls, or furniture like dining room tables.

Historic Homes

These buttons are now a relic of a bygone era, though occasionally still functional.

Hidden Passages

History: Secret doors and hidden passages were sometimes included in historic homes for security or intrigue, particularly in Tudor or Gothic Revival houses.

Fun Fact: Some passages were designed to escape threats, while others served as playful features or wine cellars.

Mystery

Hidden bookshelves or panels are among the most exciting discoveries in historic homes.

Laundry Chutes

History: Laundry chutes, popular in early 20th-century homes, provided a convenient way to transport clothes to the basement or laundry room.

Fun Fact: These were often hidden in hallways or bathroom cabinets to blend seamlessly with the home’s design.

Legacy

Modern homes sometimes recreate this feature for its convenience.

Coal Doors

History: Coal doors, often located on the side of a house or in a basement, allowed deliverymen to dump coal directly into a storage area for heating.

Fun Fact: Some coal chutes had small decorative covers that remain intact on historic homes today.

Historical Context

These doors are a reminder of the era before central heating systems.

Parlor Rooms

History: Parlors were formal living spaces used for entertaining guests, common in Victorian homes.

Fun Fact: Many homes featured a “mourning parlor” for funerals, a tradition that eventually evolved into the modern living room.

Ornate Design

These spaces were often the most elaborately decorated, featuring heavy drapes, carved furniture, and rich wallpaper.

Butler’s Pantries

History: Found in larger homes from the 19th and early 20th centuries, butler’s pantries were used to store fine china, silverware, and prepare meals.

Fun Fact: These spaces often had lockable cabinets to protect valuable items.

Modern Comeback

Today, butler’s pantries are making a resurgence in high-end home designs.

These details not only highlight architectural trends of their eras but also reflect the technological advancements and societal values of the time. They continue to influence modern designs, blending old-world charm with contemporary functionality.