I tried to make our house a bit 'imperfect' inside -- not too balanced; some things off center. We still have a single-floor home with what British classifieds used to call "all mod cons".

Your architect can help you with this as you progress from start to finish of the design and construction process. There is no one "right" or "wrong" answer to your question between "authentic" and "close enough", unless you feel extremely strongly about one option or the other. Versaci is a good architect and his work and ideas (and his finished designs) are well worth studying.

The idea of "story" in architecture and in art is often a transformative and uplifting one, changing the idea of a house from functional shelter into the idea of life-inspiring architecture.

If you have a story for your home, be sure to share it with your architect. If you don't, but are intrigued by the idea, share that too. I'll bet you find one during your design explorations.

Exciting times ahead!

Since "old house" can now refer to the mid-20th Century, the compromises on function may be zero.

OTOH, I'm lately enamoured of the look of an 18th Century Georgian. But since I have an unquenchable addiction to central heating and ac, electricity, gas cooking, microwaves and indoor plumbing--versus the Wedgewood chamber pots used by Brits well into the 1960s--I'll be sadly cheating on authenticity.

And since this will be for resale, I'm hesitating on rescuing vintage fp mantels etc.

In the '80s, building for a market dominated by nouveau riche from Hong Kong, only shiny new things counted. I remember how no one but an architect knew or cared about a massive honed marble fireplace I built but flocked oohing and ahhing around the builder's standard three-piece marble and veneer(!) fp surround. In another home, the buyers promptly trashed the 19th C. copper cornice moulding replacing it with characterless plaster.

Good luck with your design!

Worthy admirably points out the differences between a custom home for a specific home owner and building for the mass market...whomever they may be...

On the other hand, I suspect the only thing which matters is the mass market is if it sells!

This is less meant for the resale market. We have two special needs children, so there will be a certain necessity for planning to always have them with us. We're unlikely to ever be "empty nesters." :-)

The current "vision" (such as it is) is something of a Dutch colonial/farm house bent. (A not-uncommon animal in this neck of the woods. Somewhere, I have a photo of a more modest version that my Grandmother grew up in....) Our version, I think will need to look a bit more like it's been updated and added on to over the years, while still retaining some of its older character. I actually have a better idea of how I want it to "feel" than I do specifics about how I want it to "look." If that makes any sense.

I would think that this is a project some architects would love to be a part of. You will just need to find the right one for you.

I'm hoping so. For now, we're meeting with the guy who said, "Nobody does Dutch colonials anymore! I'd LOVE to do a Dutch Colonial!" when the builder walked it around his usual crowd.

I'm actually not really inclined to tell the man his business. I want to show him some things to give him an idea of things I like, and then let him work in those features that work with THIS house, as designed. Rather than say, "I must have a window seat in the living room!" I can probably be coaxed to or away from a lot of things, just on the basis of whether or not they fit our lifestyle and our house. Lately, I'm crushing on built-in linen presses. But I'm not married to the idea if it doesn't logically seem to work.

Every homeowner---make that future homeowner--has a budget in mind for their custom home. You will be well served to engage a builder early in the design process to help you balance design vs. cost to build.

Best wishes for a successful project.

I think you hit on one main point- matching the style of other vintage homes in the area. An authentic Cape Cod home that looks great in New England looks odd in Key West. No matter how carefully crafted, a home that isn't 'native' to your area always looks jarring to me.

Our house is somewhat Craftsman inspired. In the city nearby, there are larger, fancier Craftsman homes, but out here in the country, they are smaller and simpler. We wanted a house that would blend in, rather than stick out.

You will be well served to engage a builder early in the design process to help you balance design vs. cost to build.

We actually had the builder first, and he recommended the architect. He works with a number of them in the area, and suggested the one he felt would be most interested in this project. I may have (in my anxiety) fussed a bit to him about this project being less "high end" than others he's done. To which he responded, "I have no trouble at all with your budget. There is ALWAYS a budget. Since the Van Andels and DeVos's have yet to ask me to build a house... EVERYBODY is working with a budget." (I might have 10% of that budget held back that he doesn't really know about, in case I find things I really feel we need to do. Or rather, I didn't give him my absolute max as my budget, because I don't want to push it that far. But that's between you, me, and the fencepost!)

I think you hit on one main point- matching the style of other vintage homes in the area. An authentic Cape Cod home that looks great in New England looks odd in Key West. No matter how carefully crafted, a home that isn't 'native' to your area always looks jarring to me.

Yes, we'd been keeping that in mind. I've actually delved into the local architectural history. The only really unique, local form is a specific style of polychrome brick farmhouse that would be cost prohibitive to recreate. But I'm thinking about a small accent area INSIDE the house in a similar style of brick that makes it look like the original house was one of the Veneklasen homes - since added on to and sided over. Not sure if that's a great idea or not, but I might throw it out when we meet with the architect and see what HE thinks.

I think that 1) you'll have a great project because you have already stated you want your home to be "special" and 2) I'd focus on the exterior "adornments" and style that help give your home a sense of permanence. So many homes these days are so watered down in all the trim and "jewelry" - they look like they could blow over like House #1 or #2 in the three little pigs.

Lastly - mixing a couple vintage / period pieces in with coordinating new stuff is a good compromise for the interior. And you have to - 5 gallon per flush toilets are not even legal anymore- and frankly our lifestyles have changed over the years - we're less formal overall. Sometimes we look backwards with rose colored glasses and we realize we like the modern conveniences. Lastly - with your family situation - you'll need to focus on making it work for you. Staying true to your vision will get you what you want and need.

Good luck - excited for you!

I started with a similar idea in mind. I wanted a house that looked like it has been there and belongs in the area. Some of the things are easier to implement than others. You will quickly discover codes, regulations, limitations in material availability, cost considerations. Then you come to realize that we do live in the 21st century with all the modern amenities and all. I do still aim for the stars the best I can and adjust as needed for today's living. I suggest you start with some books to see the styles and features of the houses that you are interested in. The number of details that go into that traditional old house feel is mind boggling. If I could share anything I found out, do reach out. Good luck with your endeavor! If anything, researching it is fun.