40 Stunning Historic Home Renovations

The past can be preserved in the most beautiful ways. These home designs from Seasons 1 and 2 of HGTV's Houses With History prove it.

May 08, 2023

By: Rebecca R. Norris and Emily Fazio

Show: Houses With History

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn G. Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn G. Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn G. Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn G. Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Photo By: Shawn Henry/Getty Images

Houses With History: Explained

The hosts of Houses With History — history geek Mike Lemieux, carpenter Rich Soares and designer Jenny MacDonald — work to preserve the integrity of centuries-old homes in and around Plymouth, Massachusetts. While they take special care to keep the structure of each house in place, they add their own unique touches to create charming modern designs. See their most impressive renovations right here.

see more: Houses With History

Entry: Map It Out

One of the most exciting parts about renovating a home — especially one that's meant to appear from a certain period — is uncovering special items to decorate it. For this space, Jen enjoyed hunting for old maps to outfit the walls. The vintage one hanging above that two-toned console features Middleborough, a small town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.

Entry: Intentional Displays

There's a reason for those hats on the wall — and it goes beyond pure design. Jen displayed Massachusetts Baystate Straw hats specifically to reflect this home's location. More wood tones from the mounted coat rack and charming side table balance the two-toned robin's egg-blue walls.

Entry: A Sun-Soaked Space

Imagine stepping into this re-design only to be welcomed by the warmth of natural sunlight and a cozy place to bask in it. Jen knew exactly what she was doing here.

Entry: Rare Interior Architecture

A set of interior windows flank this entryway's ornate doorway. To preserve the home’s original architecture, the design team meticulously restored the paned glass and ornate trim. The arched ceiling received a fresh coat of paint. Matching black chandeliers elegantly tie the two spaces together.

Living Room: Comfort in Color and Texture

A bold, blue palette — chosen by Jen — creates flow between the once mismatched rooms in this home. The couch packs a punch of color, bringing a centered and balanced feel to the space. Wooden planks on the ceiling add natural texture and coziness, while maintaining a historic feel.

Living Room: A Very Vintage Palette

Jen put major work in on the bathroom, kitchen and stairs of this home — and a little TLC into the living room, as well. "For decor, I really wanted to use period colors, antique lighting and vintage Victorian decor," she revealed on Instagram.

Living Room: Statement-Worthy Furnishings

An exquisite collection of vintage furnishings adds character and charm to this sitting room from Season 2. Jen also added a glass chandelier and floral Roman shades — period-appropriate. Original hardwood adds warmth while mint-green doors deliver color to the sunlit room.

Living Room: A Restored Colonial Fireplace

The team restored this home’s original colonial fireplace into an impressive focal point. The original brick hearth is topped with an antique firewood holder, while a light hardwood mantle and built-in storage units surround the fireplace itself. High-back chairs are period-appropriate as is the chest used as a coffee table. Candles promise ambiance on cozy evenings.

Living Room: Interesting Antique Furnishings

The Houses With History team incorporated an antique wooden storage unit into the sitting room of this historic home while retaining the built-in shelving, which is now used to display the homeowner’s collection of books, several plants and more antique treasures. A cool wingback chair awaits reupholstery.

Living Room: Room-Changing Rafters

Original rafter beams — which the team uncovered — add personality to this remodeled living area. A large tufted sectional offers the family plenty of seating while a chandelier adds old glam to the design. The show-stopping touch: Jen painted the shelving unit blue, then accessorized it with antique art and treasures.

Living Room: Striking in Black

The design team installed built-in black shelves along the full length of the sitting room. A reclaimed wood board serves as the header and adds height in the vaulted space. An antique wooden crate and vintage area rug balance out the newly installed rustic wood floors. Black paned windows span the two-story living area and, thanks to the white walls, create a warm and welcoming spot to entertain and relax.

Living Room: Vintage-Inspired Seating

Sage green sofas with ornate wooden legs and gold-framed artwork bring lovely ambiance to this Colonial home. A natural area rug adds warmth and texture to the new dark hardwood floors. The team also included antique furnishings — a painted dresser and a large wooden unit — for chic-functional storage space.

Dining Room: Up the Wall

One way Mike, Jen and Rich added historic elements to this 1800s home was by carefully choosing furnishings. With antique plates displayed on the wall and a classic wooden table, this space boasts a perfectly curated farmhouse ambiance.

Dining Room: Restored to Its Former Glory

Before Mike, Jen and Rich worked their magic, this space was an awkward corner of the home, complete with a too-small stove. Not anymore: "The pretty built-in cabinet was restored, trim work, ceiling, lighting/medallion and even the heat vents were replaced to bring it back to what it once was," Jen revealed in an Instagram gallery showcasing the space.

Dining Room: Unexpected Combinations

In this redesign, Jen coupled beautiful periwinkle doors and trim with bold black chairs. The striking palette demands our attention right away.

Dining Room: A Bright, Open Dining Room

Natural light is often a premium in older homes, but this dining area is flooded with afternoon sunshine. To spread the bright warmth, Rich and Jen opened up other walls around the first floor. They also retained the family’s vintage dining table, chairs and cabinets but installed a new iron chandelier. A mix of old and new brings a fresh spin to the space.

Dining Room: Central Color

Jen carried a gorgeous royal blue hue through the entirety of this home. The bold backdrop creates continuity and leaves decorating room for neutral, vintage furnishings.

Kitchen: Recycled Resources

Before Mike, Jen and Rich came along, the only thing holding this area of the house together was the oak post and beams. Fun fact: Rich built the wooden hood vent above the stove using old sheathing from this section of the house. Now, the space is a cozy stunner.

Kitchen: Vintage-Modern Mix

A made-to-look-vintage black range and oven is a stunning modern addition to this historic kitchen. The team refinished the original hardwood floors throughout the home. Dark green cabinetry with ornate crown molding adds interest, while an antique storage cabinet adds period-appropriate function to the home’s design.

Kitchen: Restored Cabinets

Ornately-laid wooden floorboards ground this historic kitchen. The cabinets were built by the original owner’s father, so the design team cared for and restored the hardware, as well as refinished the base cabinets and doors with period-appropriate blue-green paint. Butcher block countertops and a reclaimed side table add warmth.

Kitchen: White With Bold Touches

Jen sprinkled Royal blue throughout this sleek, neutral cook space. An expansive island plays host to four functional stools. Contemporary pendant lighting brings extra brightness.

Kitchen: Naturally Charming Textures

New wood-look floor tile adds textured warmth to this historic kitchen. The large island features reclaimed wood shelves and stunning “Ship’s Knees” that transcend the space into the homeowner's envisioned nautical-inspired retreat. The team left the ceiling beams exposed and added a new vent hood made with salvaged floorboards from the original kitchen.

Kitchen: Practical Storage and Eye-Catching Details

An ornate farmhouse sink apron, dark green cabinets and hanging storage for copper pots and pans marry this renovated kitchen with the original charm of the home. A reclaimed, bar-height table and stools provide seating. Black-paned windows are defined by thick window trim painted the same color as the cabinets. The sconces over the sink and a light fixture centered in the room are replicas inspired by original vintage lighting.

Kitchen: Custom-Cool Pieces

As many beautiful touches as there are in this kitchen, one of our favorites is the island, which was specially converted for this home. "[Rich] took an old piece and made it more functional by adding height and a cutting board," Jen revealed on Instagram.

Bedroom: Wow-Worthy Wood Paneling

Stained wooden ceilings and gray wood-paneled floors make their mark on this entire home. The colors come to life in this sunny bedroom, complemented by woven accents, neutral textiles and vintage touches.

Bedroom: A Walk-In Closet Addition

This main bedroom may look straight out of yesteryear, but behind that closed blue door, it's anything but: As Jen revealed on Instagram, the team added a full walk-in closet to the renovation. Talk about modern luxury with historic charm.

Bedroom: Fresh Historic Charm

Mike, Jen and Rich breathed new life into this 1800s Cape Cod, which they stripped to the bones. The new home still speaks to its history, but the only original element is the glass windows.

Bedroom: A Spacious Ensuite Retreat

The team transformed this attic into a new bedroom suite, maximizing the space by adding built-in shelving beneath the roofline and recessed lighting. Wide Roman shades add comfort, as does the soft, gray area rug

Bedroom: Light and Dark

Those hardwood floors and that stunning ornate glass window are original to the home. The design team left the ceiling rafters exposed, bringing the historic ambiance of the space into the present. Modern pendant lights and sconces offer sleek lighting, while a black-and-white wallpaper mural creates depth.

Bathroom: Historic Glam

This main bathroom is the picture of vintage luxury. Sleek herringbone tile floor grounds cool vintage furnishings to create eye-catching juxtaposition. The coolest part: that black-painted radiator, compliments of Jen.

Bathroom: Double Vanity

Double vanities might be considered a modern bathroom element, but in this space, Mike, Rich and Jen were able to make this one look downright vintage.

Bathroom: A Larger Loo

It's hard to believe this bathroom was once a small, drab space. Mike, Jen and Rich had to open up the foyer of the house to add more space. Then came the suave decorating.

Bathroom: Updated Bath

In addition to a walk-in closet, Mike, Jen and Rich created a period-appropriate bathroom (albeit a bit modernized) to fit the Colonial-contemporary theme of the house.

Bathroom: A Historic Spa

This restored clawfoot tub helps retain the bathroom's original charm. To take the home’s amenities to modern-day, the design team also incorporated a generous shower with glass doors. New tiles provide durability against moisture, while a black vanity sink base and vintage sconces are period-appropriate for the home.

Bathroom: An Upcycled Vanity

The design team repurposed an old chest of drawers, turning it into a functional sink vanity. Topped with a large, rectangular porcelain basin and outfitted with a wall-mounted gold faucet, the new space is sophisticated and polished. A vintage mirror hangs over the sink. In the shower, hand-glazed tiles extend all the way to the ceiling. Patterned wallpaper adds depth and texture.

Bathroom: A Contemporary Twist

The half-bathroom in this historic home received a complete renovation. Contemporary black and white tiles add a funky vibe, and while the fixtures are also new, the design team thoughtfully selected elements that matched the period of the home: a matte black single sink basin with a high back, gold faucets, gold under-sink plumbing and a gold-framed mirror.

Home Office: Blast From the Past

When Jen designed this room, she wanted to keep the Colonial home's era in mind. As such, many of the elements in the finished space are inspired by the late 1700s.

Extra Space: A Secret Wet Bar

The team adapted a massive main floor bathroom into a smaller bath. They transformed the extra space, shown here, into a formal butler’s pantry complete with a wet bar. Three shelves with custom millwork add storage and function, while glassware displayed in front of the windows reflects cool color.

Exterior: A Restored Portico Feature

The front entryway of this home from Season 2 received special love. The team refinished and painted the original portico roof — which featured ornate hand-carved details — then painted the beadboard ceiling to match. A vintage black exterior light offers contrast, as does the freshly painted exterior door and window trim.

see more: Houses With History

We Recommend

Renovating a Craftsman-Style Home in a Historic Neighborhood 35 Photos

Homes With a History: Coastal Estate in Amagansett, N.Y. 10 Photos

A Fresh Spin on a Victorian Home in This Modern Montreal Makeover 12 Photos

Homes with History: Tudor Steeped in Denver History 8 Photos