Historic Homes: Renovating with Care

There’s something special about stepping into a home with history. The materials, the craftsmanship, the sense that it’s held more than one lifetime—it’s a kind of magic that is very hard to build from scratch. At SYH, we don’t just update historic homes; we work with them, listen to them, and redesign with their quirks, and our clients’, in mind.

Victorians, Craftsman bungalows, 1920s Tudors: historic homes have strong personalities. We love that. They’re full of charm, but they’re not always set up for how people live today.

Our job is to find the balance. What’s worth preserving? What can be brought back? And what needs to evolve so the house can keep serving its people?

We start by understanding the home’s architectural story—its materials, proportions, and previous changes (good and bad). Then we design a renovation that feels natural. That might mean reversing a mid-80s “update,” adding a modern kitchen that nods to the past, or gently opening up compartmentalized rooms for better flow.

We find ourselves running our hands along century-old woodwork, feeling the patina that only time can create. The weight of original brass hardware, the subtle unevenness of plaster walls, the way sunlight filters through wavy glass windows—these aren't imperfections to fix, they're treasures to celebrate. Our Bloomington and Indianapolis clients often tell us they were drawn to their historic homes because they could "feel the history in the walls." We get that. We feel it too.

We’re serious about history, but we’re not here to turn your house into a museum. Home should be joyful, comfortable, and totally functional. Modern systems can be integrated without shouting. Additions can be seamless. And a little whimsy goes a long way towards keeping a historic home feeling alive.

In our West Side Understory project, we helped homeowners double the living space of their charming century-old home by going underground. The rough, underutilized basement hid unrealized potential, and presented the perfect opportunity to honor history while introducing fresh design elements that reflect the current owners’ journey and aesthetic. Our transformation exposed original limestone foundation walls, ground down the concrete floor to highlight beautiful aggregate, added builtins galore, and tucked bathrooms into overlook nooks under stairs and in corners.

Our Craftsman Charm project in Bloomington tackled a 100-year-old bungalow that had some great bones and great updates, but the kitchen and back of the house had been neglected. We opened the kitchen to the dining room, turned a little-used porch into a mudroom and walk-in closet, and repurposed a second stairwell as a pantry. In a Craftsman, stately stained woodwork is often  front and center, but this kitchen had none - so we created it, to elevate the space to the elegance of the front of house. Inset cabinetry and classic details tied everything together.

We approach every historic renovation with this broader lens: thinking about how the home fits into its neighborhood, its architectural lineage, and the people who live there now. In places like Prospect Hill, Vinegar Hill, Lockerbie Square, and Woodruff Place, these homes aren’t just personal; they’re part of the whole community’s story.

If you're the caretaker of a historic home in Bloomington, Indianapolis, or the surrounding areas, we'd be honored to help write its next chapter. Whether you're in a Queen Anne that needs a little TLC or a mid-century gem that's ready for the next generation, we'll approach your project with equal parts reverence and creativity. After all, the best historic homes aren't frozen in time. They are living, breathing spaces that evolve while holding onto their essential character.

The best historic renovations don’t freeze a home in time; they make it timeless. Let’s preserve what matters, rethink what doesn’t, and create you a home that honors its past while fully supporting your life today.