Why should we care about old houses?

“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.”

– Jane Jacobs

“If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future… I care desperately about saving old buildings.”

– Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

These women, along with many other leaders, designers, and activists, knew something important about great communities:

Old houses and buildings have a soul.

Neighborhoods and communities are made up of the souls and stories of the buildings as well as the people who comprise them.

Most people underestimate the impact of their physical space on their mental and emotional well-being. Homes that function as a refuge and sanctuary can elevate their inhabitants’ quality of life over a sustained period of time. Neighborhoods that foster connection and interaction can create a ripple effect of social and economic growth. Good design is transformative, often subconsciously influencing decisions and innovation more than we acknowledge.

I’m a designer, a builder, and an investor.

At heart, I’m more of a caretaker or steward. I enjoy problem solving. I believe in leaving things better than I found them.

Often, renovation and new construction projects are done with only the goals of low cost and high convenience. If these are our sole metrics for success, we often create spaces that are dull, lifeless, and boring. They literally suck the life out of us.

Instead, we can live in environments that enrich and restore us. We can choose creative, sustainable solutions that are cost-effective. We can have homes that are built with high-quality materials that stand the test of time. We can surround ourselves with character and color and vibrancy. We can make thoughtful renovation choices so that these unique and storied spaces are functional for modern living.

Come explore the older, historic neighborhoods of Omaha and Council Bluffs. Let’s create a home that is aligned with you and your family.