When you’re an old house enthusiast, stucco is an art form all its own. When clients wanted a seamlessly integrated addition to an 18th-century log-and-stucco farmhouse in Middleburg, matching the unique color and texture of the farmhouse was a priority. Carpenter Beach had the expertise to get the job done beautifully, creating an airy, modern living space that blended seamlessly with the ... Continue Reading

When you buy a historic home, you're usually smitten with its charm and enchanted by the opportunity to live in a piece of history. Then reality hits. You may be constrained by the size of the kitchen or the number of bathrooms. You might be frustrated by the lack of closet space. How can you boost liveability while preserving the fabulous features you fell in love with? A historically appropriate ... Continue Reading

 It all starts with a solid foundation. It's a common principle in houses and in life. But in older homes, it's not always a given. The foundation bears the weight of your house and serves as the link between your home and the ground on which it sits. So, if you have a foundation problem, it's not something you can ignore. Foundation issues are pretty standard in historic homes. With decades (or ... Continue Reading

You find the historic home of your dreams— a picture-perfect Victorian on a charming main street. Everything seems perfect–until you open the walls, where a tangled mess of electrical wires makes you want to run away screaming. Old houses hide surprises, and the walls can hide unseen headaches and dangers. But you don't need to let that scare you or deter you. With the right contractor, you can ... Continue Reading

When you purchase a historic home, there's usually a sense of euphoria and joy at the potential and possibilities it offers. Owning a piece of history is a truly magical experience. Then reality hits: there's a to-do list a mile long and so many questions. You want to find the right contractor to guide you through the experience, but the choices can be overwhelming. You can make the process easier ... Continue Reading

One of the best aspects of historic homes is the considerable thought and care that went into their design. Folks in centuries past had a real sense of how to build houses to work with Mother Nature to stay cool in summer and warm in winter. That said, those long-ago builders didn’t have access to the technological advances that make contemporary homes energy efficient. So, there are always steps ... Continue Reading