The built-ins are lovely; she had excellent taste in wall coverings. The Chinoiserie paper in the dining room staged with the Chippendale faux bamboo chairs look "fresh" and "up to date" with today. We occasionally get similar time capsules in my neighborhood (built in the late 1920s to 1940s, mostly), halfway across the country. However, it is getting more and more rare to find a time capsule -- or its one of a mid 1970s update.

Both of my grandparent's homes remained the same from way before I was born until they passed away (I was an adult with children for all)⦠even though my paternal grandfather owned a furniture factory (burned down before I was born) and furniture store. They could have had the newest, etc but kept the same furniture for decades. I think part of it was that generation did not feel the need to keep up with the Jones' and/or they were more easily content - not influenced by what was new each year. They were savers, not spenders, but had the money to do both. Their homes were cleaned and maintained. My father owned furniture stores for several decades, yet never replaced their original furnishings purchased after they married and restored a condemned home (late 1950s). Furniture there went to the next house (1970) and more was added (much larger home). Yet when they built their current home (1985) the original upholstered pieces bought in the 1950s came with them, and were recovered. Some things were sold that did not fit the house (DR and MBR) and replaced with then new that they still own 29 years later. Both just turned 80yo and things will stay as is until their deaths. Their house is far from dated, unkept or not taken care of (couldn't find this referenced in the other thread). DH and I started going to antique stores when we first married (33yrs last week) and were in our first house just over 20yrs. We still have (and use) everything purchased then and since. I tend to buy pieces that can be used in various rooms/in various ways. That said, I also tend to not move things around once I get them where I want/like, but this came in handy when we built 8yr ago. As far as empty rooms, we have only ever had one of those. When we purchased our first home we had two very small children, then added a third baby. When she was 1yo, we furnished the LR, so for the two years prior they got to ride toys and play in there when it was raining. But we stayed completely debt free, so it was worth the short wait. I don't know what changed in our world to make so many of the newest generations watch trends, change their homes more often, etc other than more access to the ever changing decor (trends) via TV, magazines and the internet. While I don't have any of our original upholstered pieces and my taste has changed from being a newly married early 20s yo to mid 50s, I would never want to or even think about getting rid of everything to start over. I believe my final taste/style was acquired 15 years ago and isn't going anywhere.

When we bought our first home, a 1927 craftsman back in 1987, everyone was telling us to rip out the original subway tile in the bathroom and kitchen. We refused because it was period to the home and we loved it. However, I personally can't stand MCM. Probably because I grew up with it. MCM seems to now be old enough for those in their 20's-30's to have not remembered it growing up, which is sort of how I felt about my 1920's home back in 1987. I agree if you want to buy a period home, try and keep the bones of it. However realize that why so many of these homes were "destroyed" was because a few years after being built, something new came into vogue and without the wisdom of time and perspective, people didn't see the need to preserve their recent past.

I see your points, Pal. I'm just trying to understand the reasons, not question the judgements or make some sort of claim about the windows in my house. Are there financial incentives for owners of historic homes to maintain the original elements of the home? Like the Energystar tax credits? I know there are design and restoration requirements for homes in my community designated as historic by our local commission. But many people who live in genuinely historic homes steer clear of that official designation because of the stringent requirements. It's too costly, no matter how lovely or endeared the home. But if there were financial incentives for maintenance, that might persuade them to paint what's there every 7-10 years, for example, rather than replace with a modern window that doesn't require such maintenance. ETA the Energystar tax credits isn't a good example here but it's the financial incentive they provide to persuade a homeowner from making a certain choice that's the point.