Homeschool
Your Guide to Remodeling Portland’s Historic and Vintage Homes
Remodeling an older home is different from remodeling a newer one. The materials are different. The construction methods are different. The relationship between your home’s history and your plans for its future requires a thoughtful approach that most remodeling guides don’t cover.
That’s why we created Homeschool, a collection of practical guides drawn from Arciform’s collaborative design-build process and decades of working on Portland’s most distinctive homes. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel in a 1920s Craftsman, adding a bathroom to a home that’s never had more than one, or trying to understand what historic review means for your project, you’ll find guidance here that’s specific to the kinds of homes we work on every day.
Every guide is written by our team — the same designers, project managers, and craftspeople who do the work. No generic advice. No stock photography of homes that look nothing like yours. Just what we’ve learned from hundreds of projects in Portland’s historic and vintage neighborhoods.
More Home Renovation Resources
Kitchens
The kitchen is where most of our projects begin. In older Portland homes, the original kitchen was compact, separated from the rest of the house, and designed for a different era. Updating it without losing the home’s character is one of the most rewarding challenges we take on.
The Essential Guide to Vintage Kitchen Design
Start with our essential guide to kitchen design for vintage homes for a complete overview of how we approach kitchen remodels in Portland’s older homes.
From there, explore the decisions that shape every kitchen project:
Bathrooms
Many of Portland’s older homes were built with a single bathroom. Adding a second — or making the most of what you have — often means working within tight footprints, converting closets or sleeping porches, and finding creative solutions that feel intentional rather than forced.
Whole House Remodel
A whole-house renovation is the most ambitious project we take on. It requires a phased plan, clear priorities, and a team that can see the full picture from foundation to roofline.
How to Plan a Whole House Remodel, Even if You Are Doing It in Phases
Our complete guide walks you through the full process, from the systems hidden behind the walls to the finishing touches on the exterior.
Additions
Older homes weren’t built for the way we live today. Adding space, whether it’s a room, a second story, or a back-of-house expansion, requires careful integration with the existing structure so the addition feels like it was always part of the house.
Home Additions for Historic Portland Homes - Your Guide to Growing with Character
Our complete guide walks you through the full process, from the systems hidden behind the walls to the finishing touches on the exterior.
Basements
Portland’s older homes often have basements with untapped potential. Finishing them well means addressing moisture, ceiling height, egress, and code requirements before you get to the fun part — the design.
Basement Remodeling for Portland's Older Homes - Unlock the Space You Already Have
Start with our essential guide to kitchen design for vintage homes for a complete overview of how we approach kitchen remodels in Portland’s older homes.
Attics
Portland’s older homes often have basements with untapped potential. Finishing them well means addressing moisture, ceiling height, egress, and code requirements before you get to the fun part — the design.
Transforming the Space Under Your Roof: A Portland Homeowner's Guide to Attic Remodels
Attic conversions can add bedrooms, offices, or flex space to homes that are running out of room on the main floors. The key is managing ceiling height, insulation, and structural load while keeping the exterior profile intact.
Exteriors
From siding and windows to porches and paint, exterior work on a historic home demands an understanding of original materials, period-appropriate detail, and in many neighborhoods, the historic review process.
What You Usually Find Behind the Siding of a Century-Old Portland House
Our complete guide walks you through the full process, from the systems hidden behind the walls to the finishing touches on the exterior.
Garages, Pavilions, and Poolhouses
Portland’s vintage garages and outbuildings display a distinct blend of character and complexity. Whether you’re restoring a weathered structure, converting it for a new purpose, or building an addition that honors your home’s historic roots, the process calls for creativity and care.
Explore the Essential Guide to Garage Design, Remodeling, and Rebuilding : Codes, historic guidelines, and design considerations for Portland’s vintage garages and outbuildings.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Portland’s ADU-friendly policies have made accessory dwelling units one of the most popular ways to add living space, rental income, or multi-generational flexibility to an existing property.
Explore the Essential Guide to Garage Design, Remodeling, and Rebuilding : Codes, historic guidelines, and design considerations for Portland’s vintage garages and outbuildings.
Historic Preservation
If your home is in a designated historic or conservation district, or if it simply carries the construction methods and details of another era, understanding the rules and the craft behind preservation work will help you make better decisions.
Material Care Guides
Caring for the materials in a vintage or historic home helps preserve both their beauty and their story. We’ve gathered these cleaning and maintenance tips from trusted manufacturers and industry sources to help you protect your finishes for years to come. Each surface is unique, so when in doubt, follow your product’s specific care instructions.
Explore each for practical advice on the care and maintenance of historic homes and the materials that make them special.