Here are some books, websites and other resources that I’ve found particularly helpful and inspiring.
Books
Restoring Old Houses (George Nash) Taunton Press, 2003
This is one of the best books on the topic because it doesn’t gloss over the messy issues you face in old houses. It can be sobering to read, but this is stuff you need to understand. This book shows it all and lays out what to do, with lots of clear photos.
Remodeling Old Houses without destroying their character (George Stephen) Alfred A. Knopf, NY 1972
He does a great job of explaining why certain renovations are completely inappropriate for older houses. It’s worth getting this book just for the section on exterior details like windows, trim, and siding.
Green Restorations (Aaron Lubeck) New Society Publishers, 2010
Written by a restoration contractor and preservation consultant, this book is about using sustainable practices and green building techniques to fix up old buildings. Well written, with charts, information on materials, fixtures, and a lot more — this is practically a primer course.
Old Houses (Steve Gross, Henry Wiencek and Susan Daley) Stewart Tabori &Chang, 1991
Beautiful photos of amazing historic homes, most of which are in an unrenovated, untouched state. I’m probably in the minority on this, but I find untouched, mostly preserved old buildings to be the most resonant and compelling of all, far more interesting than those that have been perfectly restored. These are soulful, powerful places.
The Well-Worn Interior (Tim Whitaker and Robin Forster) Harry Abrams, 2003
I think of this as a companion to Old Houses, although this shows a wider variety of spaces, many of which are still lived in.
How the Victorians Decorated Walls, Ceilings, Woodwork, Floors and Windows – Complete with original Color Schemes
Articles
The Case for Rooms (Kate Wagner, CityLab, Aug 6 2018)
I’m Over Open-Concept Design (Ronda Kaysen, New York Times, Apr 12 2019)
The Curse of an Open Floor Plan (Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, May 2018)
HOW-TO
Popular Mechanics Trim Carpentry (Rick Peters) Hearst Books, 2008
Good images and explanations.
Insulate & Weatherize for energy efficiency at home (Bruce Harley) Taunton Press 2012
I’m sure there are more recent editions, but this is the one the library had.
The Art of Faux: the complete sourcebook of decorative painted finishes (Pierre Finkelstein) Watson-Guptill, 1997
This is the book I used to learn how to restore the graining on the trim in the downstairs rooms.
The Furniture Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Identify, Restore & Care for Furniture (Christophe Pourny) Artisan Books, NY 2014
Furniture Restoration Step-by-step tips and techniques for professional results (Ina Brosseau Marx & Allen Marx) Watson-Guptil 2007
Wood (Eva Pascual i Mirs), Barron, 2000
Restoring furniture and other wood items that might have looked too bad to save. She has great advice on sensitive and reversible restoration. Also a guide to tools and materials. Great photos, too.
The How-to Book of Repairing, Rewiring, and Restoring Lamps and Lighting Fixtures (Rachel Martens) Doubleday, 1979
GARDENING
Container Gardening 250 Design ideas & Step-By-Step Techniques (from the editors and contributors of Fine Gardening), Taunton Press 2009
Planting in a Post-Wild World (Thomas Rainer and Claudia West), Timber Press, 2015
Cultivating chaos: how to enrich landscapes with self-seeding plants (Jonas Reif and Christian Kress), Timber Press, Oregon 2015
A Way to Garden — her monthly garden chores lists help me focus and she has great interviews and podcasts with other experts.