According to Gil Schafer, striking a balance between preserving the past and incorporating modern amenities involves understanding the historical context of the home and considering its evolving needs.
He believes in creating spaces that feel timeless, comfortable, and reflective of the homeowner's personality, incorporating a mix of classic and contemporary elements. Gil Schafer recommends conducting a thorough assessment of the historical details before beginning a renovation project.
In a new series, we visit (virtually) with residential architects to get their insights on building topics big and small. Their answers might have you looking more closely at your own four walls—or maybe starting an armchair renovation of your own.
In Schafer’s own Maine house, he created a “wood-paneled” library.
Photo by Simon Upton.
Remodelista: What material is always worth the splurge? In my own barn-like house in Maine, I created a tiny and cozy “wood-paneled” library on a tight budget by putting sheets of oak plywood on the walls, wire-brushing the grain and giving the wood a lightly-oiled protective finish.
Photo by Eric Piasecki.
Schafer favors dark stone countertops in the kitchen.
RM: The best countertop material? GS: A dark stone, such as Soapstone, Belgian Black granite, or a variation of Belgian granite called “Jet Mist” (not as dark as a pure Belgian Black, with some gray/white veining) seem ideal for kitchens and mudrooms.
When we’re renovating an older interior, this is one of the first things I look at to make a room feel more connected to the next without blowing out all the walls or over-widening doorways. Even a technophobe luddite like me can operate one.
Photo by Eric Piasecki.
All in the details: reclaimed oak floors with a custom wood grate.
RM: The most durable wood floors are…. The cellular structure of old-growth trees is tighter and thus the boards will wear better. RM: How small can a bedroom get before it’s claustrophobic?
But it’s actually much more impactful to hold back the view until you enter the house, to create a moment of discovery and surprise.
Photo by Eric Piasecki.
Built-in storage in a hallway.
RM: A favorite space-saving move? It’s not always the cheapest solution, but when space is tight, it’s such a welcome plus to have another spot to store things. RM: What do you like to exaggerate, and why?
How do you approach a renovation project while respecting the original character of the home?
Gil Schafer believes in understanding and preserving the original character of a home during renovation. By working with these elements, he ensures that the renovation remains in harmony with the original design.