I live in Ohio and live in a neighborhood of primarily 1900-1930 homes. My neighbor has a gorgeous original driveway that is just two cement tracks with grass growing in between. In our urban area, this is also good for additional drainage! Here's a similar pic on HOUZZ https://www.houzz.com/photos/11th-street-residence-mediterranean-exterior-los-angeles-phvw-vp~57359-Wood-Residence-mediterranean-exterior-los-angeles Other ideas! https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-home-contemporary-exterior-toronto-phvw-vp~1196064-Home-contemporary-exterior-toronto https://www.houzz.com/photos/750-south-ocean-blvd-tropical-landscape-boston-phvw-vp~3847195-South-Ocean-Blvd-tropical-landscape-other-metro https://www.houzz.com/photos/french-country-vacation-home-on-powers-lake-traditional-exterior-chicago-phvw-vp~1985786-Lake-WI-Residence--1-traditional-exterior-chicago https://www.houzz.com/photos/sea-cliff-hideaway-traditional-entry-san-francisco-phvw-vp~57675-Cliff-Hideaway-traditional-exterior-san-francisco

Now, my question is...how have others incorporated existing additions into an older home remodel? Did you just tear everything out (or down) that was newer? Or did you try to incorporate the different elements into the remodel? I'd like to try to recognize the different stages that make up the 'story' of the farmhouse, but still keep with an overall theme. You start by getting a structural analysis of the current house. Can the older elements be saved? Because if it turns out that the addition done in the past is not structurally sound, why incorporate that element? And even if they can be saved, does it make fiscal sense to do so? Just because something was build in the past, does not mean the workmanship is better than what you would have today. My brother has a house that was build in the 1920's. There were some tough times in the 1920's. When he opens up his walls he finds all kinds of things - any type of lumber was used because they used what they could find. And insulation is nothing like what is available today. Unless you know that the finest workmanship of the time was used, you have to be prepared for anything. Then, you consider the other systems that go in the house and how those will impact the structure you are trying to save. How will new electric, plumbing, HVAC, etc. be tied into the old systems. What about insulation? Can these updates be incorporated without damaging the structural elements that you are trying to save? If you need all new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, does that mean you are demoing down to the studs? If that is the case, and you need a new roof and siding, then what is the value in staying with the footprint of the old house? Financially, does it make more sense to completely demo the building and start from scratch? I am not saying that this is the case for your house, but without having a complete structural analysis plus an analysis the of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. you cannot determine whether it even makes sense to save the house. Once those questions are answered, then you move on to design. At this point you ask if house layouts from the past work with the life you are living today. Some people don't have a problem living in layouts from the past, while others prefer open floor plans, wide doors, walk-in closets, larger laundry rooms, larger kitchens, heck larger rooms in general. And then there are the materials that go into building a house that looks like it is from an earlier timeframe. Are they still available today, at what cost, and are newer designs better? Changes in building systems/materials have usually been made for a reason. You have posted pictures of the 1920's sunroom windows that you like. When I look at them, I see single glazed multi paned windows that are very energy inefficient and a pain to keep clean. Different strokes for different folks, you probably wouldn't care for my house. You also have to figure out how much the current footprint of the house is limiting your ability to design the house of your dreams. If you are completely renovating a house, you are going to end up with a custom home. To me, a custom home means it is customized for the people who are living there. Being unnecessarily constrained by what was, is, imo, not the way to get to a custom dream home. If you don't feel constrained by the current house, than you don't have a problem. But since you have been at this for quite some time and haven't been able to finalize your design, it doesn't sound like the process is making a lot of progress. I suggest getting a complete analysis of the current house, then taking that information along with all your inspiration photos and ideas to an architect that specializes in old house renovations and getting a professional's opinion on how best to get to the goal of a dream home.

Wow, that's really interesting. Have you consulted a fireplace specialist? Looks like you might need some upgrade work done if you want to make it look different than it does now. Finding decorative vent replacements those exact sizes and then getting them installed could be a real challenge. There are a lot of things that can actually be done with the fireplace facade itself that might be easier for you, including stone washes that lighten or change the color and even re-covering the stone with different materials for a more updated look. Some people are even using really upscale materials like marble to re-cover a fireplace area. A lot of it depends on your overall decor scheme and the look you want.

There's not an electrical box, but it looks like an old cast iron mounting box with a threaded rod attached to it. This is what the old fixture was attached to (~20lbs). I put more pictures below. The top left portion of the mounting structure is solid metal Yes those are the wires that were servicing the old light. The house used to have knob and tube, but to my knowledge it was all cleared out and replaced.