Colonial House Plans: From Attic to Wall

Step back in time with colonial house plans. Explore the framed architectural drawings that give an old family home a nostalgic touch.

Vintage Colonial House Drawings

Vintage colonial house drawings are illustrations or artistic representations of colonial-style houses that were popular during the colonial period. They typically refer to the architectural style prevalent in the American colonies from the 17th to the 19th century. These drawings often depict the exterior of the house, showcasing its unique features and architectural elements.

Vintage colonial house drawings capture the charm and character of these historic homes. They can be detailed and intricate, showcasing the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into their construction. These drawings can serve as a visual reference for architects, historians, or enthusiasts interested in colonial architecture.

Some vintage colonial house drawings may also include interior views, depicting the layout and design of the rooms, as well as the furnishings and decor that were popular during the colonial era. These drawings offer insights into the lifestyle and aesthetics of the time.

New England Colonial House Plans

While going through some of the closets at our inherited family Coastal Maine Home, I uncovered the colonial house plans that my parents originally had designed back in 1992.  To say I was thrilled was an understatement!  The architectural drawings were in such great shape, too, folded and kept within a small metal filing cabinet.

I immediately knew that I wanted to frame one of the colonial house drawings, if not all, and hang them throughout the home. Today, I want to share the first drawing, in which I framed myself with an old frame that I simply found in the attic. I hope you enjoy this repurposed nostalgic touch to this old family home!

If you are new to my blog,  this coastal Maine home is a replica of an Early American colonial home called a Raeside & Dame.  The home was designed and built by my parents back in 1992, and we inherited it upon their passing. We have been both renovating and redecorating it to make it our own.

At this time, we had emptied the home, painted the interior, and refinished the floors over the winter. Then the pandemic hit. We had ordered new furnishings, but it took months to come in.

See more in the Restoring and Revitalizing a Raeside Dame Home in Coastal Maine post.

So we worked on small projects like these colonial house drawings repurposed and framed.

Framing Colonial House Drawings

From the Attic to the Wall

A vintage frame in the home’s attic would perfectly fit the size of the aged colonial house drawings.

I framed and hung one of the many old architectural drawings in our dining room, which is also the entryway to the home.

You may also enjoy the post, Black Frames to Antique Gold Frames with Annie Sloan.

After hanging the colonial house drawings, I found a small watercolor painting of the house my parents owned before building this Raeside-Dame home—a painting I had made for them and gifted sometime back when I was in college. I always thought it was funny, as this home was on the ocean, and the painter added evergreen trees. I love the juxtaposition of the two homes side by side.

When we framed these colonial house drawings, this home was a complete work in progress as we waited for furniture and stores to reopen!

See it today on our house tour.

You may also enjoy the Lilac Bouquet Ideas: Color, Scent, and Whimsy post.

In My Mother’s Maine Home Series

Continue Reading In My Mother’s Maine Home Series

Aged Architectural Drawings Decorating Ideas

Decorating with colonial house plans can add a unique and nostalgic touch to your home decor. Here are more ideas on how to incorporate aged house plans into your decorating:

Your colonial house plans may be delicate, so you’ll want to handle them gently. Consider making copies or scanning them before using them in decorating projects to preserve the original documents.

Decorating with aged house plans can create a nostalgic and visually appealing atmosphere in your home, celebrating the architectural history of your space.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you found the inspiration you were looking for with your old colonial house plans.