Isn't it amazing how we all love our homes! I bought my 1919 Craftsman after looking at 114 houses in the area that were for sale. The main turn-offs for me were overdone new kitchens with granite counters and all painted white woodwork. I flew home after 3 trips house hunting, ready to give up. Then I saw this photo online of a Craftsman with unpainted woodwork and bought the house site unseen!! As I do any changes to my new old home, I take into consideration what the home would want, what is most appropriate, and yes, what will continue to increase the value of the old bones of a well built home. My house has the original woodwork and built ins, all unpainted. The only missing thing I discovered after removing 6 layers of wallpaper, was the dent in the old plaster from the missing picture rail. I researched, and bought new rail, then mixed 6 different colors of stain to match to the old stain. And, I have to say I came pretty darn close to matching the color. The bathroom and kitchen were sort of butchered up and I have finished the bathroom into a classic style, appropriate for a Craftsman home. Now I am working on the kitchen with white painted cabinets- not unlike the ones currently in the home. Yet, rather than choosing granite, I'm going with soapstone to keep it along the period lines. New product, yes, but still period appropriate. Yes I'm a typical DIY'er who doesn't shop at the big box stores and tries to avoid anything made in China, and I've been stripping the 90 years of paint off the exterior of my house and repainting for the past 3 years (in the summer) in order to save that old lap cedar. And yes, I tend to think of myself as an old house purist with all my remodeling projects, but in my case (and call me crazy here), but I think the house speaks, and by listening to what this house is made of, I don't think I can go wrong. We've all seen remodels that could have been done better, but the bottom line is, what works for us, those who are fortunate enough to be the caretakers of these homes that eventually will belong to someone else. And, what fits our lifestyles, is part of what makes a house a home. I'm just as passionate about my house as anyone, and I do know that when I come home, my home wraps it's arms around me and welcomes me in. And that, to me, is 'home.'

awm, thank you! Our house isn't Architectually Important or anything, but I really love it. And I totally agree about split-levels. They get a bad rap, but when they're done right, they're very interesting. I'm so thankful that the previous owners did such a nice job on the addition - it really works with the flow of the house in a very seamless way. Although the cosmetic details aren't my thing, the overall flow really enhances the house. So it sounds like the consensus is to not do flagstone in the breakfast room, and to use the same flooring in the LR/DR, kitchen, entry and breakfast room - perhaps with the exception of a stone area in the entry. Any votes for trying to recreate the original flooring in the kitchen and entry - a mosaic tile? These are the original tiles that I've dug out from under the edges of the existing flooring. (yes, I go on "fact-finding" missions in my own house. I think of it as domestic archaeology!): To be clear - I wouldn't do the same colors - I'd use a mosaic tile but in a different colorway. I'm pretty sure I don't want to do this, but the purist in me thinks it could be interesting. Thoughts? Too weird? Too impractical?

Hi there, I installed this metal rail and I think I made a mistake. It has to be replaced because it’s too short but now that I see it, I’m wondering if I should switch to a glass rail. or switch to a rail with no center post, like this one? Unfortunately I already have 12 holes in the floor so a 3rd option is to keep the 3 floor plates and to remove the center post in the new design. This would allow the b rail to be closer to the ground. Sorta like this; since this rail is shorter than code requirements, I still have option to change my mind for the next day or so I would love to have any feednack that you have... also, If you like the rail as is, please let me know ASAP. this is also an option! Thanks!!

@G E interesting dilemma. I wonder if you could keep the original frame, remove the waves and add vertical rectangular "boxes" like this. The top and bottom of the "box" would be above and below the top and bottom rails, adding height. Have you spoken to any metal smiths? You said you're working with a rail professional but do they do custom metal work? Retrofitting the existing might be more expensive than making a new one but you never know. If you go the metal smith route, speak to several. Prices vary widely I've found. If your current craftsperson doesn't do metal, maybe they'd partner with someone who does. No matter what you do, I'd keep the original rail and use parts of it as a wall sculpture. Maybe not exactly what I've shown but you get the idea. Lots of wall space to play with.