Working with Historic Homes: The North Shore's Hidden Architectural Heritage

The North Shore was developed in waves between roughly 1885 and 1940, and the resulting housing stock is one of the most architecturally rich in the Midwest. Queen Anne Victorians, Prairie School foursquares, Tudor Revivals, Mediterranean Revivals, Italianate cottages — they're all here, and many of them are turning 100 or older.

We've completed 23 historic home projects in the last decade. Here's what we've learned.

Original windows can almost always be saved — and should be. A restored 1910 double-hung window with a new storm panel will outperform 90% of new vinyl windows on energy efficiency, last another 100 years, and preserve the visual character of the home. Replacement is almost always the wrong answer for true historic homes.

Plaster is repairable. Don't drywall over it. Plaster walls have acoustic and thermal qualities that drywall cannot replicate, and they're part of what gives an old house its quality of light. We work with two regional plaster specialists who can repair or replicate any historic plaster condition.

Hardwood floors almost always have life left. What looks like a floor that needs replacement is usually a floor that needs sand, stain and finish. We've revived 1920s quarter-sawn oak floors that the previous owner was ready to rip out.

HVAC in a historic home requires creativity. You cannot run modern ductwork through 1900s walls without destroying them. We've solved this with high-velocity small-duct systems, mini-split heat pumps tucked into closets, and routing through unused servants' staircases.

Don't underestimate the review process. Towns with active historic preservation commissions (Lake Forest, Highland Park, Highwood) require design review for exterior changes. Build 6-10 weeks into your project schedule for this.

Permits-aware architects matter. Not every architect understands historic district guidelines. We work with three architects we trust for this work and will introduce you if your project warrants it.

Historic homes are not for every homeowner. The maintenance is real. The trades are specialized. The patience required is significant. But the result — living inside a piece of architectural history that you've stewarded for the next generation — is one of the most meaningful things a homeowner can do.

— James Neth, Founder