Rosalie Remodeling’s Nate Rosalie reflects on his affinity for restoring fine old homes built by previous generations of master carpenters.
Along the North Shore, there’s a rich history of residences built over the past century. Vintage homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s dot the communities of Evanston, Wilmette, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth, and other communities along the North Shore. Each home displays its unique character and charm through trim work. Beautiful staircases, elaborate moldings, fireplace mantels, and built-in cabinetry are among them.
When we work in homes like this, I like to take a moment to study the craftsmanship of skilled laborers who worked in the days before nail guns, compressors, and portable power tools. (It must have been quieter on the job site back then!) The artistry is terrific, the wood is old-growth lumber, and the number of molding profiles used dwarfs those commonly available today. The workmanship of 19th- and 20th-century carpenters set a high bar for those of us who practice the trade today; for myself, this makes for the most rewarding work.
When I work in a home where a remodeling project must blend in with the rest of the vintage interior, I take cues on how it should be built by looking around the rest of the house and the trim used. By observing the baseboards, door casings, and crown moldings used throughout the house, we can assimilate that aesthetic into the design. Using any existing built-in cabinetry, we can determine the proportions, shapes, and construction methods to incorporate those into the new woodwork so it blends seamlessly with what came before. When done well, the old and the new space can accommodate modern lifestyles while maintaining the look and feel of the rest of the home.
I’m glad to call the North Shore home. With great pride and satisfaction, I contribute to the legacy of carpenters who created such lasting beauty (and function, let’s not forget about function!) in our community.
