Parts Of My 1968 House I'm Keeping
Buying a 1969 original, never renovated house was something we decided to do very intentionally but that doesn't mean it doesn't come with a lot of decisions, changes and all of those things can be very overwhelming. Simultaneously, seeing the house with original features from the 60's is a pretty cool thing and although we will be updating 95% of things, harnessing and keeping 5% of original character was very important to us. Read up on what parts of our house we're going to be keeping as is and finding a new home for.
10/14/2025
1. Octagon Staircase Window
In the 60's octagon shaped windows were very popular and ours in it's original shape has the same textured glass and details as it once did. Keeping this window not only keeps character from the outside of the house but is a beautiful piece that remains at the bottom of the staircase setting the tone for the house and it's original build.
2. Bathroom Mirror
This mirror was bought by the home owners in the 60's and was never changed. The glass is perfect and the detail pattern on the frame is ornate and beautiful. We probably won't keep it in the bathroom and will likely re-finish the frame by painting it but it will be hung and find a home elsewhere in the house.
3. 60's Wooden Grocery List
Screwed on to the wooden kitchen cabinets, this grocery list is the perfect example of how this house was frozen in time. With grocery items like starch, cream, matches and tissue painted on and a original receipt size paper roll to write down what you need, this will find a home and I will smile every time I pass it thinking of how the original owner used this weekly to prepare for her dinners of the week for her family.
4. Ask Yourself: “Would I Buy This Again Today?”
If the answer is no, it’s probably time to let it go. This question helps you skip the guilt and get real about what’s actually adding value to your life.
5. 55yr Old Bartlett Pear Tree
This tree is the only stand along tree (outside of cedars) that has residence in the backyard. Although it does look like it needs some love, we were told it still produces fruit. I am so excited to give this beauty some pruning, love and opportunity to grow and produce more pears than ever before. I can see my kids grabbing them from the branches and snacking on them next summer.
It's important to us to not erase the 50+ years of life that was lived in the house we bought but to capture pieces of it to bring into our chapter here.
And who knows as we start ripping walls open what other items we may find that we will want to keep.