There is a distinct moment in every historic home renovation where the sheer weight of past decades can feel overwhelming. Peeling wallpaper, layers of lead paint, and a smorgasbord of previous repair attempts stare back at you. Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, the husband-and-husband duo known as the Brownstone Boys, live for this exact moment. Their approach to revival is not about erasing history but about writing the next chapter with care. The guiding philosophy that touches every one of their projects is a commitment to respecting old houses as living entities with their own needs and personalities. The duo recently shared a candid tour of their own Brooklyn brownstone, revealing the household priorities that transform an aged structure into a warm, breathing home.
Rule 1: Adopt a Custodian Mindset to Start Respecting Old Houses
The first rule is a radical shift in perspective. You are not the conqueror of an old space. You are simply the latest caretaker. This principle dictates every decision, from major renovations to daily dusting. Every scuff mark on a baseboard is a memory. Every repainted windowsill holds a decision made by a previous resident.
Jordan Slocum explains that this perspective naturally changes how you treat the structure. Instead of ripping out original trim, you repair it. Instead of patching plaster with modern spackle, you research lime-based materials that allow the walls to breathe. You start to realize that the house owned people long before people owned it.
This mindset is the foundational act of respecting old houses. It stops you from treating the building like a blank canvas and invites you to become a collaborator with the past. When you walk through the front door, you are joining a long conversation, not starting a new one.
The Embodied Energy Argument
There is a strong environmental case for this perspective. The term “embodied energy” refers to the total energy consumed in the construction of a building. Tearing down an old house and building a new one wastes that energy. The environmental cost of lumber, brick, and glass from a century ago is already spent. Preserving the existing structure is one of the greenest choices a homeowner can make.
Rule 2: Open the Windows and Let the House Breathe
Modern homes are sealed tight with vapor barriers and synthetic materials. They are designed to be airtight. Old houses, however, were built differently. They rely on a natural exchange of air to regulate humidity. If you seal them with Portland cement or vinyl paint, moisture gets trapped inside. This causes bricks to spall and wooden beams to rot.
Opening the windows regularly allows trapped moisture to escape. It prevents the musty, stale dust smell that plagues many older interiors. This single act is one of the best free maintenance tools you have. It flushes out the air and replaces it with fresh oxygen.
Jordan Slocum makes this a daily habit. Even in cold weather, cracking a window for fifteen minutes can dramatically improve indoor air quality. Old homes need to exhale. Denying them that breath is a form of slow neglect.
The Danger of “Draft-Proofing” Too Tightly
Many homeowners make the mistake of sealing an old house like a plastic container. They install non-breathable insulation and spray foam without considering the moisture dynamics. In a historic home, the walls are designed to evaporate water. Blocking that evaporation causes rot and decay deep within the structure. The rule is simple: let the walls breathe.
Rule 3: Anchor Your Days Around the Dinner Table
Jordan Slocum grew up with a strict protocol: dinner was eaten together, and phones were not allowed. This tradition has carried over into the Brownstone Boys’ home. The table is not just for eating. It is a grounding station for human connection.
The ruling mantra is simple: there is always room for one more. This is not just about physical space. It is about emotional capacity. Having extra folding chairs or simple settings ready makes the home a center for community. This openness directly fights the isolation that creeps into modern life.
When you prioritize the table, you prioritize shared stories and real interaction. It becomes a ritual that separates the day’s chaos from the evening’s calm. Old houses naturally lend themselves to this intimacy. The rooms are often cozier and less open than modern floor plans, which makes gathering around a single table feel more intentional.
Rule 4: Set the Scene Before the Doorbell Rings
Old houses can sometimes intimidate guests. They worry about spilling wine on an antique floor or scratching a vintage mantle. The Brownstone Boys combat this by setting a welcoming tone immediately. Before anyone arrives, a candle is lit, music is playing, fresh flowers are visible, and the powder room has clean hand towels.
These small signals communicate that the home is ready for life. They erase the “museum” vibe that old houses can sometimes project. Hosting should not feel formal. It should feel like people can kick off their shoes and stay a while.
This preparation is an act of respect. It shows that you value the comfort of your guests over the pristine condition of your furniture. The warmth of a home is not found in its age but in its atmosphere. A lit candle and a good playlist cost very little but change the entire energy of a room.
Rule 5: Ban the “Museum” Vibe: Live in Your Home
It is easy to fall into the trap of preserving a house so perfectly that it becomes unlivable. The Brownstone Boys reject this entirely. Barry Bordelon has a clear message for guests: the refrigerator is open, the dog will greet you first, and you cannot leave without taking leftovers.
This rule dispels the anxiety that often comes with owning something old and fragile. The house is meant to be lived in, not tiptoed around. This means a glass of wine might spill on a floorboard that has held stains since the 1920s. It means wearing shoes off, but not walking on eggshells.
This philosophy requires confidence in your home’s resilience. Old houses have survived wars, economic depressions, and terrible wallpaper. They can survive a toddler with a crayon or a dog tracking in mud. These marks are not damage. They are the newest layer of history.
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Rule 6: Give Every Object a Designated Home
Old houses are notorious for a lack of storage. They rarely have walk-in closets or massive pantries. The solution is not to build cold, modern built-ins that clash with the architecture. The solution is editing.
Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum use baskets, vintage trunks, and thoughtful cabinetry to contain the clutter. The rule is simple: everything must have a home. If an object does not have a place, it does not enter the house. This discipline keeps visual noise low, allowing the original moldings and hardware to shine.
When every item has a designated spot, cleaning becomes easier. The natural dust and patina of an old house read as charming rather than chaotic. You stop accumulating things you do not need and start appreciating the things you use daily.
Rule 7: Slow Down and Honor the Imperfections
The final rule is about alignment. Old houses force a slower pace of life. The creaky floorboards make you mindful of your step. The cozy rooms encourage intimate conversations rather than loud parties. The way the light hits the stained glass in the morning demands a moment of pause.
Jordan Slocum’s evening ritual is a masterclass in this alignment. He lights a candle, pours a drink, and sits quietly in the parlor with the family dog. This is not just relaxing. It is syncing your human rhythm with the building’s rhythm. It is a reset for the soul.
Living in an old house teaches patience. The furnace might be quirky. The roof might need work. The floors will never be perfectly level. But these imperfections are precisely what create character. They remind you that perfection is not the goal. Presence is the goal.
Common Questions About Living in and Respecting Old Houses
What if I want to update my old kitchen without destroying its character?
Focus on materials that feel natural and analog. Wood, soapstone, and unlacquered brass patina beautifully alongside historic floors. Avoid glossy, ultra-modern cabinets that shout for attention. Open shelving can display everyday dishes, keeping the room connected to the past. The goal is to layer modern convenience on top of a historic foundation without erasing the foundation itself.
How do I balance history with modern comfort?
Invest in mechanicals that are hidden. Modern heating, cooling, electrical panels, and plumbing make life comfortable without changing the look of the home. Keep the visible finishes historic. Hide the modern technology inside closets or basements. You should feel the history, but you should not have to sacrifice a warm shower to do so.
Why does opening windows matter so much for old houses?
Homes built with natural materials need to breathe. Opening windows prevents moisture from getting trapped inside the walls. This simple habit reduces the risk of rot, mold, and musty smells. It is the cheapest and most effective form of humidity control for a historic structure.
How can I create a welcoming atmosphere without spending a lot?
Small details make the biggest impact. A candle from the grocery store, a curated playlist on your phone, and clean kitchen counters cost very little. Hospitality is not about expensive decor. It is about making guests feel that the space is ready for them.
What are the most important things to preserve in an old house?
Original windows, woodwork, and the floor plan are the most valuable assets. Modernizing the layout too drastically erases the home’s identity. Repairing existing features is almost always cheaper and more authentic than replacing them. A century-old window with restored hardware outperforms a cheap vinyl replacement in both beauty and durability.
