Old-house rehabilitation creates many more difficult choices than either a pure
restoration or total preservation. That's because there is an infinite range of
possibilities during rehabilitation.
The only absolute requirement is that a rehabilitation should leave the building
functional. After that, the design and aesthetic choices are totally up to you.
Several years ago, however, the U. S. Department of Interior issued a set of standards
designed to foster rehabilitation that respects the design and character of
original buildings, whether residential or commercial. They are somewhat general,
because they apply to both residential and commercial buildings.
Nonetheless, they provide an excellent starting point for the well-intentioned
person seeking advice amid