Now, my question is...how have others incorporated existing additions into an older home remodel? Did you just tear everything out (or down) that was newer? Or did you try to incorporate the different elements into the remodel? I'd like to try to recognize the different stages that make up the 'story' of the farmhouse, but still keep with an overall theme. You start by getting a structural analysis of the current house. Can the older elements be saved? Because if it turns out that the addition done in the past is not structurally sound, why incorporate that element? And even if they can be saved, does it make fiscal sense to do so? Just because something was build in the past, does not mean the workmanship is better than what you would have today. My brother has a house that was build in the 1920's. There were some tough times in the 1920's. When he opens up his walls he finds all kinds of things - any type of lumber was used because they used what they could find. And insulation is nothing like what is available today. Unless you know that the finest workmanship of the time was used, you have to be prepared for anything. Then, you consider the other systems that go in the house and how those will impact the structure you are trying to save. How will new electric, plumbing, HVAC, etc. be tied into the old systems. What about insulation? Can these updates be incorporated without damaging the structural elements that you are trying to save? If you need all new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, does that mean you are demoing down to the studs? If that is the case, and you need a new roof and siding, then what is the value in staying with the footprint of the old house? Financially, does it make more sense to completely demo the building and start from scratch? I am not saying that this is the case for your house, but without having a complete structural analysis plus an analysis the of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. you cannot determine whether it even makes sense to save the house. Once those questions are answered, then you move on to design. At this point you ask if house layouts from the past work with the life you are living today. Some people don't have a problem living in layouts from the past, while others prefer open floor plans, wide doors, walk-in closets, larger laundry rooms, larger kitchens, heck larger rooms in general. And then there are the materials that go into building a house that looks like it is from an earlier timeframe. Are they still available today, at what cost, and are newer designs better? Changes in building systems/materials have usually been made for a reason. You have posted pictures of the 1920's sunroom windows that you like. When I look at them, I see single glazed multi paned windows that are very energy inefficient and a pain to keep clean. Different strokes for different folks, you probably wouldn't care for my house. You also have to figure out how much the current footprint of the house is limiting your ability to design the house of your dreams. If you are completely renovating a house, you are going to end up with a custom home. To me, a custom home means it is customized for the people who are living there. Being unnecessarily constrained by what was, is, imo, not the way to get to a custom dream home. If you don't feel constrained by the current house, than you don't have a problem. But since you have been at this for quite some time and haven't been able to finalize your design, it doesn't sound like the process is making a lot of progress. I suggest getting a complete analysis of the current house, then taking that information along with all your inspiration photos and ideas to an architect that specializes in old house renovations and getting a professional's opinion on how best to get to the goal of a dream home.

Your home is beautiful. I think it'd look nicer matched color-wise to the parquet. Does it attach to the kitchen as well though? I actually really like the parquet - I have a small landing with parquet but it's oak that lightened over the years was wondering about refreshing it & making it a bit darker. Is yours old original parquet & have you ever done that?

Old is subjective. I tend to use methods of construction more than age as a guide. Age is useful for determining whether there is lead paint or asbestos present. Many local building codes require different levels of remodeling when working on structures built many years before the remodel. Example: Locally, if sheet rock or lath and plaster wall coverings are removed, any framing/electrical/plumbing issues must be brought up to present code status. Not a problem for a house built in 1975 in many cases, but electrical in houses from 1965 can be substandard for present codes. We bought our first house in 1969, it was then over 80 years old. In 1979, we built a brand new house. From the angle of construction, the older house was better built(our contractor did a good job on the new one, but materials were not as good). There is a huge difference between wall studs that are 2" by 4" and made of white oak(old house) and 1&1/2" by 3&1/2" and made of fir(new house). We now live in a house built in 1965 and I tend to think of it in terms of the first house, since is was constructed much like the first house, but using materials similar to the new house(just built more solid). Looking at the three: First house is now 127 years old and still standing and being lived in), second house is 38(still lived in) and current is 47 years old and I view it as being newer than the second house, due to how well constructed it is. I did extensive work on both second and present houses.

Weird. I added these two pictures on the first post but only the interior one posted. I’m pretty sure the attic over the garage is insulated with the pink insulation as I store tomato cages there in the winter. R8 comes to mind? So I’ll give up on the hope of a cooler garage. But to tell you how bad it is, some organic fertilizer concentrate exploded when I opened it even though it was in cool weather. It had bulged out in the heat I guess, just waiting for me to spew it all over my white kitchen cabinets., LOL. I will never open anything like that inside my house again. And when something is bulging, I will know I’m in trouble. The garage was likely added on in the 70s. That’s an educated guess When I moved in 18 yrs ago, the left-hand garage door did not have a remote capability so I added that on. But it’s kind of funny because the old one is much faster, more reliable and quieter than the new one. Newer is not always better. But both doors are the same age. I have no idea how old they are. Definitely need a new coat of paint at least