This Old House: Great Books on Renovating and Restoring Older Homes
Posted on March 12, 2026
by Amy H
Thousands of homes in the United States were built prior to 1950, and with their vintage come both charms (the cabinetry! the flooring!) and challenges (the drafts! the plumbing!) When it comes time to remodel or restore these aging beauties, finding accurate and workable information can be tricky. Especially if you don’t have bottomless funding, unlimited time, or saintly contractors. Turns out an appropriately old-fashioned technology — books — can help with that. And unlike some nonfiction subjects like medicine, computers, or East Germany, restoration techniques and historical decorating ideas don’t change that much over time; be sure to consult books of all ages when reading up on what to do or how to do it. Here are some great books on working with older homes and furniture.
working windows by Terry Meany
For those who wish to keep old wood windows instead of going with new vinyl, this book covers the operation, care, repair, and restoration of all kinds of wood windows, along with chapters on weather-stripping, repainting, and refinishing.
this old house salvage-style projects by Amy R. Hughes
Salvage-Style Projects is the definitive inspirational resource and how-to guide for turning cast-off architectural details into high-style, low-cost home furnishings. This 144-page book includes 22 creative reuse projects for everything from vintage porcelain faucet taps to paneled wood doors. All that's required of the reader is a sense of adventure, an eye for bargains, and a good tool kit. The author even helps with the last two by offering treasure-hunting tips and a guide to setting up an in-home workshop.
downton shabby by Hopwood DePree
Hopwood DePree was told that the ancestor he was named for had left the family’s English castle in the 1700s to come to America. One night after some wine and a visit to Ancestry.com, Hopwood discovered a photograph of a magnificent English estate with a familiar name: Hopwood Hall, a 60-room, 600-year-old grand manor on 5,000 acres in northwest England. It was indeed his family’s ancestral home, occupied continuously by the Hopwood family for five centuries until the last remaining male heirs were killed in World War I. Since then, the Hall had fallen gradually into disrepair and was close to collapse. It would take many millions to save the Hall--millions that Hopwood certainly didn’t have-but he came to a conclusion: He would move permanently to England to save the house. Hopwood discovers that the Hall comes with an unforgettable cast of new neighbors--from the electrician whose mum had fond memories of working at the Hall to gruff caretaker Bob. Together, as they navigate the trials and triumphs of trying to save an actual castle, Hopwood finds himself ever further from the security of his old life, but comes to realize that, actually, he’s never been closer to home.
restored ohio by Glenn Morris
We're currently living in an era when Ohio is losing its history quicker than it's being made, and once something original is gone, it can never be brought back. Thankfully, hundreds of buildings, structures, and entire towns have been restored through the efforts of citizens and leaders who care deeply about the past and realize the necessity of preserving history for both the present and future generations. So, pack up a picnic basket and gas up the car! After reading this book, you will likely be yearning for an adventurous road trip.
the vintage house by Mark A. Hewitt
This impressive book presents the first comprehensive survey of its kind on how to achieve truly compatible, stylistically resonant additions and renovations. From exploring "How Do Houses Grow?" to "Getting the Details Right," it guides readers through typical projects and issues, such as finding more space within an existing footprint or blending in new windows or dormers without destroying historic character. The authors' expert perspective on dealing with historic buildings brings new ideas on design as well as problem-solving technologies, like compact water heaters. Also included is advice on meshing sustainable building practices, such as geothermal heating, with an already built house (the greenest house there is). Richly illustrated with color photos, plans, and drawings from nationally recognized architects, this book shares analysis and experience from two of the nation's most respected old-house professionals.
green restorations by Aaron Lubeck
Some 40 percent of North Americans live in homes built prior to 1940, and when it comes time to remodel or restore our older homes, homeowners and contractors can find themselves lost in a morass of wildly divergent information and opinion. With Green Restorations, author Aaron Lubeck brings his expertise as a restoration contractor and preservation consultant to this first-of-its-kind guide, leading the reader through the steps for restoring historic buildings using sustainable practices and green building techniques. In a readily accessible room-by-room and system-by-system format, Green Restorations covers rehabilitation and remodeling questions applicable to old homes, focusing on the core techniques and debates often seen in practice.
cheap old houses by Ethan Finkelstein
From the founders of the addictive Instagram handle and HGTV show Cheap Old Houses comes a look at beautiful, affordable homes and a resource for anyone who's ever dreamed of buying and restoring an historic house. Welcome to the magical world of Cheap Old Houses, where the new American dream comes with zero mortgage and an alternative lifestyle fit for a storybook. Elizabeth and Ethan Finklestein have scoured the country to capture real homes bought for under $150,000--some for as little as $25,000 to $50,000--and the stories of how they were acquired and lovingly restored. Within these beautifully photographed pages, you'll discover monster Victorian mansions, Italianate-style farmhouses, Federal manors, off-the-beaten-path cabins, and even old schools and churches turned into residences. Peppering the home love stories is valuable insight from Elizabeth, who shares her perspective as a historical preservationist on her favorite details to look out for, from pocket doors to plaster walls to mansard roofs.
historic millwork by Brent Hull
The era spanning 1870 to 1940 is one of the most architecturally significant in the United States, encompassing three identifiable periods of millwork distinguished by astoundingly beautiful and elaborate industrial wood craftsmanship. In a highly practical, categorical format, Historic Millwork compiles and interprets designs from historic trade catalogs and period trade journals to produce an accurate, indispensable guide to millwork from this era. Organized first by the type of millwork (doors, windows, mantels, moldings, storefronts, colonnades, stairs, and cabinetry) and then arranged by periods: Late Victorian (1870-1890), Transitional (1890-1920), and Early Modern (1920-1940). Vintage illustrations and contemporary annotations bring to life the ornate details and fine woods used by the artisanal industrialists of the day, providing explicit models for design, construction, and adaptation. A complete glossary defines key terms, and the author supplements each topic with enlightening tips, anecdotes, and specifications for architects and builders that illuminate how different types of millwork can be incorporated into a variety of projects.
adventures with old houses by Richard H. Jenrette
This is the story of one man's adventures in acquiring and bringing back to life some of America's most enticing and historically significant dwellings. With the eye of a connoisseur, the business acumen derived from a legendary career in international finance, and a Jeffersonian grasp of classical architecture, Richard Hampton Jenrette reveals his charming, often risky, ventures in the world of old houses. Jenrette's affinity for endangered historic sites has led to the restoration of many historic houses. This uniquely personal account of the quest, the acquisition, the restoration and the furnishing of each property is instructive and entertaining. Along the way, he introduces the artisans, curators, furniture specialists, designers, antiquarians, preservationists and collectors who have played a part in the renovations.
structural analysis of historic buildings by J. Stanley Rabun
Offering detailed, and authentic data available on the materials, calculation methods, and design techniques used by architects and engineers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this book provides today's building professionals with information needed to analyze, modify, and certify historic buildings for modern use. Includes methods for determining what kind of loads structural components were originally designed to bear and methods to determine if they are still capable of performing as intended and extensive coverage of historical foundation systems and empirical design methods for load-bearing masonry buildings.
historical building construction by Donald Friedman
A guide to the physical construction of buildings from the 1840s to the present, Historical Building Construction uses narrative, drawings, and photographs to describe the development of masonry, wood, and steel construction, modern curtain walls and concrete slabs, and the use of cast iron and patented floor construction. It provides case histories to show how this information is applied to actual projects and helps in analyzing existing conditions in a building and suggestions for dealing with what lies hidden behind floor, wall, and ceiling finishes.
the furniture bible by Christophe Pourny
Teaches readers everything they need to know about the provenance and history of furniture, as well as how to restore, update, and care for their furniture, from antiques to midcentury pieces, family heirlooms or funky flea-market finds. The heart of the book is an overview of Pourny’s favorite techniques, ceruse, vernis anglais,and water gilding, among many others, with full-color step-by-step photographs to ensure that readers can easily replicate each refinishing technique at home. Pourny brings these techniques to life with a chapter devoted to real-world refinishing projects, from a veneered table to an ebonized desk, a gilt frame to a painted northern European hutch. Rounding out this comprehensive guide is care and maintenance information, including how to properly clean leather, polish hardware, fix a broken leg, and replace felt pads, as well as recipes to make your own wax, shellac, varnish, stain, and more.
rescue, restore, redecorate by Amy Howard
Whether you dream of restoring an heirloom to its former beauty, or just want to modernize a flea market treasure, Amy Howard has the design and refinishing secrets you need. Here are all the furniture finishing recipes, techniques, and tips that have made Howard's beloved classes sold-out success stories, and made Howard herself the go-to guru of refinishing and "use what you have" redecorating. Try your hand at unique painted and faux finishes, and experiment with gold leaf, distressing, and marvelous graining effects. Along the way, you will learn a treasure trove of techniques, as Howard shares before-and-after makeovers from her studio and offers impeccable step-by-step instruction in all that is needed to achieve each look.
old house eco handbook by Roger Hunt
How should we go about making old houses energy efficient without devaluing future sustainability or the appeal and character of old homes by the use of inappropriate solutions? This practical and essential guide to retrofitting for energy efficiency seeks to provide answers to this and other the questions homeowners of old houses are asking. Whether your house is medieval and timber-framed or a Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian terrace, it can be made more energy efficient and sustainable, and this practical and comprehensive handbook will show you how.
restoring houses of brick & stone by Nigel Hutchins
Preservationist Hutchins seeks to show not only the history of North American stone and brick building styles but how to restore them properly so that they will be intact for future generations. The subjects covered include inspection, maintenance, building techniques, and finishes, as well as formulas for a variety of stuccos, whitewashes, and plasters and lists of tools. Excellent line drawings as well as current and historical photos of numerous types of structures help explain tools and terminology. This author also has a book on Restoring Wooden Houses.
the french house by Don Wallace
When life hands you lemons, make citron pressé. Shortly after Don and Mindy Wallace move to Manhattan to jump-start their writing careers, they learn of a house for sale in a village they once visited on a tiny French island off the Brittany coast. Desperate for a life change, the Wallaces bravely (and impulsively) buy it almost sight unseen. What they find when they arrive is a ruin, and it isn't long before their lives begin to resemble it-with hilarious and heartwarming results. Redolent with the beauty and flavors of French country life, The French House is a lively, inspiring, and irresistibly charming memoir of a family that rises from the rubble, wins the hearts of a historic village, and finally finds the home they've been seeking off the wild coast of France.
mary gilliatt's great renovations and restorations by Mary Gilliatt
With careful planning, anyone can combine the charm of the old with the best of the new! In this comprehensive guide, internationally renowned designer and best-selling author Mary Gilliatt reveals how to successfully renovate a tired, older home into a dazzling interior and exterior showplace. The book begins with an overview of older homes, defining period styles to the 1930s. Mary Gilliatt points out the details to look out for, as well as which ones to avoid. She also shows how to research what the original builders intended, so details can be replicated. Next, Gilliatt discusses the two schools of thought in renovation: the reverential view, which tries to entirely restore and preserve the past of a house; or the sensitive view, which keeps the integrity of the individual while introducing new techniques, new materials, and new spaces. Finally, dozens of case histories of dazzling, real-life renovations offer a breathtaking treasury of inspiration and ideas.
the old-house doctor by Christopher Evers
Old houses are charming, but owning one can be a labor of love. Expert carpenter and house "doctor" Christopher Evers equates old homes with ailing patients, describing how you can successfully "treat" your old house and make it good as new. With over 300 clear, line illustrations, Evers provides a practical guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving your old house--basement to attic--so you can enjoy it for years to come.
style your modern vintage home by Kate Beavis
A comprehensive, photo-filled guide to giving your home a distinctive retro look down to the last detail. Style Your Modern Vintage Home is an inspirational book for all vintage enthusiasts. It encompasses everything vintage lovers want in one place: every vintage decade and every practical tip for buying, styling, and restoring your vintage homewares to achieve your perfectly styled home. With real houses, real people, and real affordable items, this book shows how you can achieve a stylish vintage/modern home too. Discover how these must-have items and styles work in your own home and how to integrate vintage with modern. Each chapter covers a decade from the 1920s to the 1990s, introducing fascinating social history from each period and revealing how what was going on in the world influenced the home interiors of that time. There is practical styling, restoration, and cleaning tips and useful watch-out advice for buying vintage pieces.
reviving old houses by Alan Dan Orme
Yep, this is from the 1908s but contains many very basic ideas and tips to restore an old house. Tools may have changed, but techniques are forever.
Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!
Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!
Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.
