1908 Cottage Restoration: Preserving Historic Charm on a Budget

A 1908 Cottage With Simple Elegance: Restoring Historic Character

When Tye and Elva Van Devender discovered their 1908 Victorian-Craftsman hybrid cottage, they saw beyond the deteriorated exterior and structural challenges to recognize the architectural potential hidden within. The home, which had served as a boardinghouse during World War II, retained remarkable original details despite decades of neglect and makeshift repairs. What began as a hopeful renovation project evolved into a six-year journey that tested their commitment, creativity, and resolve. By combining careful preservation practices with strategic modernization, they transformed their cottage into a testament to the enduring appeal of early twentieth-century architecture.

The Challenge: Good Bones, Bad Conditions

The initial assessment of the cottage revealed a property with significant structural and mechanical problems. The plaster walls throughout the home bore numerous cracks, and many of the original wavy glass windows showed signs of age and deterioration. The plumbing system had essentially failed, leaving the couple facing expensive replacement needs. Perhaps most troublingly, the home lacked any insulation whatsoever. In a particularly creative—if temporary—solution to heating problems, previous owners had rigged a car radiator into one of the upstairs bedrooms, replacing the original ornate Victorian heating fixture.

Yet despite these challenges, the Van Devenders recognized the cottage’s most valuable assets. The original woodwork throughout the home represented the finest craftsmanship of the era, with oak floors and trim that promised to gleam beautifully once properly restored. The abundance of original glass, architectural details, and structural elements provided an exceptional foundation for a thoughtful renovation. The couple’s faith in the property’s worth, combined with their belief that they possessed the skills and determination to restore it properly, propelled them forward despite the magnitude of the undertaking.

The Strategy: Scientific Planning for Success

Recognizing that such an ambitious project required more than enthusiasm, the Van Devenders adopted a methodical, scientific approach to their renovation. They invested time in sketching out comprehensive plans, creating detailed budgets, and developing step-by-step timelines for the work ahead. This planning phase proved essential in keeping the project on track when inevitably challenging situations arose. They identified key priorities and sequenced work in a logical manner that would allow them to maintain functional spaces while tackling more extensive renovations.

A crucial element of their strategy involved strategic material acquisition. The couple began filling their basement with clearance-sale appliances and light fixtures, allowing them to purchase items at bargain prices and store them until installation time arrived. This approach to shopping kept costs manageable while ensuring they had the components necessary when each phase of work began. Additionally, they committed to performing much of the labor themselves, recognizing that their personal investment in quality and attention to detail exceeded what many professional contractors might provide.

Phase One: Foundation, Pantry, and Porch

The Van Devenders wisely began their renovation with foundational systems and ancillary spaces rather than attempting to tackle the entire house simultaneously. This sequenced approach allowed them to build momentum, learn essential skills, and create functional spaces for their daily lives.

Pantry Renovation and Storage Solutions

Understanding that the kitchen would eventually require complete renovation, the couple strategically prioritized renovating the adjacent pantry first. This space would provide essential sink and cabinet functionality during the lengthy kitchen reconstruction. They added new plumbing to the pantry, installed cabinet space, and created a fully functional utility area. Following instructions from This Old House magazine, they installed elegant crown molding to add architectural interest and character. The pantry also received a new farmhouse sink paired with a beautiful granite counter—a bargain remnant they discovered and repurposed to stunning effect. A bright and functional laundry and pantry space emerged, providing both practical storage and visual appeal during the months when the main kitchen remained under construction.

Addressing the Porch Foundation Crisis

Attention then turned to the enclosed porch, where the discovery of a sinking foundation demanded immediate attention. The shared foundation supporting both the porch and another adjacent space required stabilization and reinforcement. During extensive work in this area, the couple made exciting discoveries—removing 1960s-era wood paneling revealed an original beadboard ceiling, a charming detail they carefully preserved. They added insulation where none had existed before and installed new plumbing systems. The porch underwent complete transformation, and after stabilization work, they installed a salvaged radiator to properly heat this space throughout the year. The enclosed porch ultimately became one of their favorite spots in the home, a comfortable lounge area that now provided genuine comfort rather than serving as a forgotten, unusable space.

Custom Tilework and Personal Touches

One of the most striking additions the couple personally designed and installed was a black-and-white mosaic-patterned ceramic tile floor in the laundry room. Rather than hiring specialists, they tackled this project themselves, carefully planning the pattern and meticulously laying each tile. This personal involvement ensured that every element received the attention to detail they desired, and the finished floor became a testament to their commitment to quality craftsmanship.

The Kitchen: Years of Transformation

The kitchen renovation consumed much of the couple’s attention and effort over the subsequent two years. Rather than replacing everything, they employed strategic reuse and careful selection to balance budget concerns with their desire for quality improvements. The lower kitchen cabinet boxes and drawers, though dated, had solid bones. Rather than discarding them entirely, the Van Devenders refaced these cabinets with new Shaker-style doors that coordinated beautifully with their modern aesthetic.

Upper Cabinets and Salvaged Glass

For the upper cabinets, they chose a bright white finish specifically selected for its light-reflecting properties. Rather than installing standard cabinet doors, they sourced salvaged wavy glass to create a charming, vintage-appropriate look that allowed light to play across the kitchen while maintaining a connection to the home’s historic character. These wavy glass panels referenced the original windows throughout the cottage and provided visual interest while displaying attractive dishware and kitchen items.

Refinishing Original Woodwork

The baseboards, doors, and window trim throughout the kitchen were original to the 1908 construction, and the couple invested considerable time in their restoration. Using unconventional tools including dental tools, they painstakingly picked out decades of accumulated paint from the intricate details of these elements. Hours of stripping, sanding, and refinishing followed, but the results justified the effort. The gleaming wood trim, now restored to its original beauty, created striking visual contrast against the new white Shaker-style cabinetry and provided an authentic period foundation for the modern appliances and finishes.

New Surfaces and Fixtures

The kitchen received new stainless-steel appliances that provided modern functionality while their neutral finish complemented the historic aesthetic. Honed granite countertops offered both durability and understated elegance. Vintage-style light fixtures selected from specialty retailers referenced the period of the original construction while incorporating modern electrical safety standards. The flooring, previously concealed under layers of linoleum and rotten wood, was replaced with salvaged fir that provided authentic character while ensuring structural integrity.

Bathroom: Luxury in Historic Spaces

The bathroom received careful attention and selective luxury upgrades. A marble-topped vanity added an elegant touch, while salvaged materials were sourced from specialty architectural salvage companies. The vintage-style light fixtures maintained visual continuity throughout the home, creating a cohesive design narrative that honored the cottage’s heritage while providing modern comfort and functionality.

The Philosophy: DIY Dedication and Cost Management

Throughout the six-year project, the Van Devenders maintained a clear philosophy about their approach to renovation. They performed most of the work themselves, not simply to save money, though economy certainly mattered on their $36,500 budget. Rather, they believed that their personal commitment to quality work exceeded what they could expect from most contractors. They fussed over details—ensuring every tile sat perfectly level, that cabinetry stood exactly square, that finishes gleamed appropriately.

Learning Through Teaching Relationships

When the couple encountered tasks beyond their existing skill set, they took a pragmatic approach. Rather than hiring complete renovation teams, they paid experienced professionals to spend an hour or two teaching them proper techniques. This strategy allowed them to learn fundamental skills in electrical wiring, radiator installation, and other specialized work while maintaining their budget. The learning curve was steep, but the education they gained proved invaluable for understanding their home’s systems and performing ongoing maintenance.

Strategic Spending and Finding Deals

The couple maximized their budget through strategic shopping, taking advantage of Internet deals and sales to acquire appliances and other necessary items at favorable prices. They salvaged materials from architectural salvage companies, repurposed existing elements where possible, and made thoughtful choices about where to invest in quality and where they could achieve excellent results through creative alternatives. This approach to procurement required patience and flexibility, but it allowed them to create a beautifully appointed home without excessive expense.

Where They Invested: Period Details and Quality Elements

While the couple sought savings through DIY labor and strategic shopping, they prioritized investment in specific areas. Period-style light fixtures received particular attention, with selections made from specialized retailers to ensure authentic aesthetic that nonetheless incorporated modern safety features. Push-button switches, a distinctive period detail, were selected and installed throughout to maintain the cottage’s early-twentieth-century character. These choices represented moments where the couple chose historical authenticity and visual quality over economy, recognizing that these elements would be experienced daily and contributed significantly to the home’s overall character.

The Ongoing Journey

By December 2006, when the couple reflected on their project to date, six years had passed since they first began their renovation journey. Yet their work remained ongoing. The scope of the original deterioration meant that unexpected challenges continued to emerge, and their commitment to thorough, quality restoration meant taking time to address issues properly rather than rushing toward completion. As Tye noted, the renovation had become such a significant part of their lives that he sometimes went to his day job simply to relax—weekends and days off were consistently devoted to home improvement projects.

The transformation of their 1908 cottage demonstrated that historic preservation and modern comfort need not represent opposing values. Through careful planning, personal commitment, strategic investment, and a willingness to learn, the Van Devenders created a home that honored its architectural heritage while providing the functionality and comfort expected by contemporary residents. Their cottage stood as a testament to the simple elegance that characterizes well-designed early twentieth-century architecture and to the rewards of patient, thoughtful restoration.

Renovation Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long did the complete renovation take?

The renovation project extended over six years and remained ongoing at the time of documentation. The phased approach allowed the homeowners to live in the cottage while completing work systematically.

Q: What was the total renovation budget?

The Van Devenders completed their renovation for $36,500, a notably modest budget achieved through owner-performed labor, strategic material acquisition, and prioritized spending.

Q: Did they hire professional contractors for the entire project?

No, the couple performed most work themselves. They hired professionals for brief teaching sessions to learn specialized skills like electrical work and radiator installation, but maintained primary responsibility for project execution.

Q: What were the biggest structural challenges?

Key challenges included failing plumbing systems, complete lack of insulation, cracked plaster walls, deteriorated windows, a sinking porch foundation, and unsafe heating solutions like the car radiator that had been installed in a bedroom.

Q: Which spaces received priority in the renovation sequence?

The couple prioritized the pantry and porch early in the project, creating functional spaces before undertaking the more extensive kitchen renovation. This sequencing allowed them to maintain daily functionality during construction.

Q: How did they source materials and keep costs manageable?

Strategic approaches included shopping sales and Internet deals for appliances and fixtures, purchasing and storing items before installation, and sourcing salvaged materials from architectural salvage companies at bargain prices.

Q: What original features did they preserve?

The homeowners preserved the original oak floors and trim, original woodwork throughout the home, wavy glass windows, beadboard ceilings, and original built-in architectural details, integrating these historic elements with modern systems.