Old Fashioned House Designs Worth Keeping

A white old-fashoned house surrounded by trees and lit by the afternoon sun.

Every detail of a luxury real estate property, including architectural and interior design, is a remnant of a particular era it comes from. While sleek, contemporary houses are becoming increasingly popular in the Philippines, some homeowners prefer to blend in old-fashioned house features repurposed into something modern. As the popular adage goes “old is new” again. You will commonly see the said style in old fashion house Philippines interior in many old houses and residences in the country.

Brittany Corporation lists the best old fashioned house style you can use as inspiration for your next luxury home makeover.

 

Popular Old-Fashioned House Details that Will Never Go Out of Style

Vinatge home decorations and furninshing displayed in a room.

When it comes to an ancestral house, every detail is worth a look. Here are some of the old-fashioned house elements you can add to your modern luxury home.

 

The Good Old Exposed Brick or Wood

Nothing adds a distinct, rustic charm at home more than exposed brick, wood, or stone accents. This style rise in popularity before the Industrial Revolution, when most houses are made of logs, bricks, and lumber. Modern houses are now covered with drywall finishes or wall-to-wall carpets, but some homeowners opt for the countryside aesthetics of exposed wall or wood elements.

You will often see this on homes that incorporate stone veneers, real bricks, reclaimed wood floors and beams, and exposed wall finishes.

 

Claw-foot Bathtubs

Bathtubs are one of the hallmarks of luxury living, even during the early ages. Claw-foot tubs are common in mansions during the Victorian period but gradually become less popular when showers became the norm. As trends come and go, claw-foot tubs found their way to modern houses. They easily give glamorous aesthetics to the simple bathroom. Although bathtubs with original enameled claw-foot are now hard to find, you can easily score new acrylic bathtubs that look similar to vintage claw-foot bathtubs.

 

Servant’s Stairs

If you want to add a touch of the Victorian era to your luxury home, installing a servant’s stair is one of your best options. Servant’s stairs are popular because of the distinct, circular shape of the staircase that often leads to the attic. Although Servant’s stairs are originally made for house helpers in popular Victorian homes, it is now widely used by homeowners around the world. In modern houses, many homeowners use Servant’s Stairs to go to the kitchen and private room.

 

Vented Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets with small holes in the front are making a comeback — and it’s not just for aesthetic purposes! Vented cabinets have a vintage charm, but they are also functional. The extra ventilation prevents mildew and mold from forming inside the storage to keep food fresh and safe to eat. Vented cabinets are also helpful in laundry rooms to keep your clothes and linens fresh.

 

Milk Doors

Back when milk delivery become a thing in the late 18th century, residents adjusted their homes by building milk doors. These are small exterior doors that lead to cubbies where delivered milk bottles are stashed and empties are returned to the deliveryman. Milk deliveries are not common now, but many people recreate this concept for visual appeal or for receiving parcels and other deliveries.

 

Fancy Door Knobs and Handles

Doors are something many people overlook, but in many ancestral houses, details can be found even on features as minor as doorknobs. You will most likely find these in Tudor-style mansions. Some interior doors are adorned with glass knobs that sparkle like diamond. It is a simple touch that added major charm to simple homes.

 

 

Bahay na Bato and Other Popular Old Fashion House in the Philippines

interior of a vintage house

The local design industry is something worth looking at when it comes to topics like old fashion house Philippines interior or ancestral homes. The rich culture and heritage of the country created a distinct appeal and authenticity that you will only see in several old fashion house in the Philippines. One can say that vintage aesthetics and function not only work well with each other but also brings a glimpse of the old times.

Ready to take a trip to the distant past? Here are the top ancestral houses in the Philippines, including the popular Bahay na Bato.

 

Bahay na Bato

When it comes to ancestral houses in the Philippines, Bahay na Bato is always worth a look. Bahay na Bato, which translates to “House of Stone,” is an old fashion house in the Phillipines built during the Spaning colonial period. The interiors of Bahay na Bato are another scale of grandeur. Chinese granite and hand-painted tiles line the floor. Vintage furniture and figurines stand elegantly. Religious rooms and items are also common in the house, thanks to the heavy influence of Catholicism during the Spanish era. The Ontario, or a prayer room inside the house, is adorned with wood and ivory.

A quick walk will lead you to the Comedor, or the dining room of the ancestral house. There you will see intricate kitchenware such as silver, porcelain, and glassware.

 

Jose Rizal Shrine

Everyone in the Philippines is familiar with the house of their national hero. Located in Calamba Laguna, the Jose Rizal Shrine is a replica of Jose Rizal’s ancestral house. Although the real house was destroyed during World War II, the shrine still found a way to copy the exact architecture and style of the original. You will see limes and stones on the ground floor, along with intricate woodwork on the upper floors.

 

Casa de Segunda

Courtyards are common features of an old-fashioned house. From the outside of Casa de Segunda, you will be greeted by the beautiful courtyard that includes a fountain, fishpond, and an orchard. It is one of the main focal points of the house, where guests are welcomed. Intricate details can be seen from the ground up. The Machuca tiles flooring of the house remains intact and the walls are decorated with multi-generational portraits of its owners. The second floor exudes a slightly different charm. Narra elements can be seen on from the flooring, up to the bed frames. Sliding windows made of Capiz and wood also add a local touch to the spacious room.

Aside from its beautiful architecture and traditional interiors, Casa de Segunda’s charm is accentuated by its story. The house is owned by Doña Segunda Solis Katigbak, who happened to be Jose Rizal’s first love.

From their distinct exteriors to old fashion house Philippines interior, ancestral houses will surely take you to a suspension of time where the lingering past and thriving present meet. Although each of these houses in the Philippines is heavily inspired by Western culture, they are proudly made of the artistic talent of Filipinos.

 

Making Your Dream Home a Reality with Brittany Corporation

When it comes to homes that bring you back to the grandeur of old-fashioned architecture, there is no better choice than Portofino Alabang by Brittany Corporation. The 300-hectare enclave features an alluring blend of Old-World Italy architecture and contemporary style. It is evident in the cupolas, gabbled roofs, and pocket gardens of the luxury real estate properties. For old-fashion house enthusiasts, Portofino Alabang is a slice of luxury living paradise where modern meets heritage. At Portofino, everything is set to the highest standards of exclusivity, accessibility, and true luxury.

 

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