“We’re never going to tear it down, because look how beautiful this place is. It needs to be preserved.” That is the promise one couple made after winning a crowded bidding contest for a mid century modern house in Portland, Oregon, where many of the other bidders were rumored to want the land and not the building.
The renovation update comes from @benrezac, who walks through the house room by room and explains what is being kept, what had to change and what comes next.
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A house worth saving
The house sits in a heavily wooded setting with exposed cedar paneling, big windows, tiled floors and a brick fireplace. According to the owner, the house drew so much attention before the sale that they ended up competing against thirty other buyers and paying well above the asking price. Many of the offers, he says, came from people who wanted to tear the house down, because it stands on more than an acre in a neighborhood where the land is worth a great deal.
Keeping it original
Their goal has been to keep the house as original as possible, and that includes keeping the tile. The lower level is where changes were necessary. The house began as three bedrooms and one and a half baths, and they decided to give up a bedroom to add a bathroom. Sitting on the edge of a broken up concrete trench, the owner explains that this is how a basement bathroom gets built, with plumbing rough ins set in the floor before it is covered up again. He is clear that keeping things original does not include the electrical and plumbing, which were updated.
Bringing the siding back
Outside, the cedar vertical siding has been cleaned and refinished, and the owner says he is thrilled with the result. A large sample door slab is propped up as a test of a darker stain. The house originally had a dark stain, and the darker color will also help hide some imperfections. One area was a worry, because a before photo shows heavy mold, algae and weathered rot on the wood. He now believes it will look brand new.
What is next
The deck is about to be rebuilt just like the original and topped with a new roof, which puts the project near the finish line. The owner adds that they have done about twenty renovations like this one, and he is always surprised how quickly things move once a project reaches this stage.
What makes mid century modern houses special
Mid century modern design, popular roughly from the 1940s through the 1960s, favors open layouts, large windows that bring in the outdoors, natural materials such as wood and brick, and a close link between indoor and outdoor living. Wood siding and exposed beams are a signature look. They are also the details that need the most upkeep, because wood left in damp, shaded conditions is prone to algae, mold and rot.
How to care for old wood siding
- Clean gently first. A soft wash with a cleaner made for wood removes algae without driving water behind the boards. High pressure can damage cedar.
- Probe for rot. Press a screwdriver into suspect boards. Soft, crumbling wood should be replaced, not covered.
- Test your stain. A sample board, as the owner shows, reveals how a darker stain looks in your light before you commit.
- Trim back vegetation. Plants that touch the house keep siding damp. Air and sun are the best protection.
- Refinish on a schedule. A quality exterior stain needs refreshing every few years, depending on climate and exposure.
Common questions
Can you add a bathroom in a basement? Often yes. Drain lines usually sit below the slab, so the floor is cut open to place them, then patched. Because slopes, venting and local code vary, this is work for a licensed plumber.
Why update wiring and plumbing in a historic house? Older systems may not meet current safety standards. Updating them behind the scenes lets the visible character of the house stay intact.
Is it better to restore original tile or replace it? Original tile is hard to match and is often a defining feature. If it is intact, cleaning and repairing is usually the more faithful choice.
The takeaway
Plenty of buyers see a lot and imagine a new house. This couple saw a house worth keeping and chose to put their effort into cleaning, staining and quietly modernizing what was already there. The result is a home that keeps the character that made it special while its pipes and wires meet modern needs.
Credit for the original post goes to @benrezac on Instagram.
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