CE Course: Understanding Historic Interiors
Deborah Van Eendenburg
I notice houses 1000% more now that I’m a real estate agent.
Driving and biking around the city is a constant game of “What kind of house is that? I don’t know! But I DO know those are pillars!” or “This style is so common around here but there’s no way it’s called an elf’s home.”
[Picture of houses 1 and 2 with correct titles]
Every year by June 15th, Realtors must have completed 15 credits of continuing education. Classes are offered all over the city by a variety of folks - brokerages, insurance companies, nonprofit organizations. I took one in September called House of Style: Understanding Historic Interiors, offered by Rethos, a Minnesota-based nonprofit supporting the use of old buildings and sites through education, investment partnerships, rural programs, and public policy.
The class presented information about historic home styles built from 1880s to the 1960s in Minnesota and their interior characteristics. We also discussed common layouts, features, and materials in the context of the social and cultural changes of the times.
A few interesting tidbits from Rethos’s course:
The original Pinterest were pattern books, where architectural house plans could be browsed, and popular magazines like Ladies Home Journal and The Craftsman.
Lumberman's House Plan Book. 1907.
Reception hall? Likely a Victorian home, when it was common to have a servant welcome a guest while the owner hustled up a rear stairwell to grandly float down the main stairs.
Grand staircase on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
White subway tile was popular for the wealthy in the early 1900s-1020s because in their mind, dirt equated germs, so white tile was clean tile.
A 1912 master bath with a classic white subway tile wainscot.
I’ll finish up with a quick plug for classes hosted by Rethos throughout the year, like:
HOT IN HERE: Understanding Boilers and Furnaces
REHAB LAB: Rot Repair and Reglazing
DIY Drains
You won’t be able to fix every problem, but at least you’ll know what you don’t know.