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Vintage Mosaic Tile (Bathroom Floor)
Although vintage tile has its charm, hers was too dingy, cracked, and frankly looked unclean. She swapped it for a vintage-inspired basketweave tile with more durable, secure grout—and isn’t looking back. -
Original Bathroom Fixtures
She recognized the appeal, but restoring sink, tub, and toilet with over a century of grime wasn’t worth the effort or cost. She replaced them with fresh, modern fixtures. -
1970s Exterior Paint
Bright Dijon mustard-yellow bricks and an avocado-green door screamed 1970s—and were peeling. While stripping it back to natural brick was too costly and risky, repainting gave the home the curb-appeal lift it desperately needed. -
Radiators
Despite their functional and historical value, most were non-working, bulky, dusty—and hiding crumbling plaster. She removed them in favor of a cleaner, modern heating system.
What’s Still Waiting: Fireplace Tile & Mantel
This feature is still on her to-do list. The living room’s fireplace and mantel aren’t original and feel insincere—“trying to look old,” she says—and also fail to meet current safety codes. When budget allows, she’s planning to replace them with a salvaged mantel and a marble hearth that better align with both functionality and taste.
Summary Table
Removed Feature Reason for Removal
Vintage mosaic tile Dingy, cracked, unclean—replaced with modern basketweave
Bathroom fixtures Too grimy and costly to restore—replaced with fresh set
1970s exterior paint Peeling, dated look—repainted for curb appeal
Radiators Oversized, dusty, nonfunctional—removed for efficiency
Fireplace tile & mantel Not original, unsafe, stylistically off—future update planned
Final Thoughts
This renovation beautifully illustrates a thoughtful balance: honoring the Victorian character where it matters—like original molding or structure—while pragmatically letting go of elements that either underperform or feel inauthentic. Heather demonstrates that it’s not about preserving every period detail, but about preserving what still adds value and soul.
Want help deciding what to keep—or what to rip out—in your own vintage renovation? I can walk you through similar cases or help you evaluate the trade-offs for your space.