Trying to achieve a period home in a modern home has never been easy.  Trying to incorporate the electronics, plumbing and other necessities of modern life can be more than a little intimidating for us. 

But it is getting easier.

Where do you begin turning 2007 to 1790?

1) Look at the period you wish to reflect in your home. In our case, we love the colonial era.  That time period can reflect the Camp, Colonial, or Saltbox home.  For some of us, trapped in a ranch style home, we can still achieve that look.  We just have to work a little harder, and become clever.

2) Look at what style of the colonial era you are trying to achieve.  This time period is classical (more formal) or primitive.  The colonial period had classical homes and primitive log homes included in it.

3) Expect to do a little research in the era you are trying to achieve.  Visit the library, research by visiting period museums or homes and go on line to historical sites--in short, get familiar with the look you are going for.

4) Set goals! Decide what you want most, what cost the most, what pieces you could achieve your look with reproductions.

5) Set your budget.  If you are short of cash, then stretch your budget.  Save for the important pieces you feel you have to have. While you are saving, stretch your cash by finding flea market pieces or really good reproductions.

6) Colors, architectural hallmarks, details and accents can help you achieve the period style you want.  The cheapest way to achieve a look is with paint!  Bone up on techniques, turn an existing piece you have into a colonial piece with paint, hardware and wood mouldings.

7) Look at using reproduction furniture that is similar to the time era you are working at achieving to disguise your electronics. Look for period looking reproduciotns for lighting and for storage.

8) Don't forget to look up and down.  Look at your sceiling--maybe you could add false beams.  Look at your flooring--if you have wood floors add  hooked rugs or colonial floor cloths.

9) Look at your walls-add samplers, naive prints, plate racks.  Look at your windows-add simple window coverings and/or shutters.

10) Look to comfort  When it comes to the end, your family must actually LIVE in your period home.  You have to able to kick back and sit on that couch! You have to be able to have company and kids without having heart failure when they act normal.  If you have priceless antiques--put them where you can enjoy them without living in fear. Keep some space for comfort in your period home.

Living with a primitive period need not be stuffy!  You may not be one of the lucky ones that own a 1790 home, but you can make the interior appear to come from that era by planning and a little work.

Come for a visit at our little eBay shoppe for more ideas on decorating and for great reproductions.