Ten Old House Instagram Accounts to Follow
June 24, 2020 - UPDATE: In April, we launched this website with the blog post below. Since then, the YUPs have spent time wrestling meaningfully with the questions posed by the Black Lives Matter movement. A few weeks ago, we issued a statement, acknowledging that we need to do a better job of being anti-racists and pushing for equity. This statement is our commitment—and now its time for us to do the work.
In our statement we promised to "...communicate our position as anti-racists to all members of our organization and to those with which we conduct business, in an effort to actively root out privilege and remove bias."
For this reason we are revising our 10 Old House Instagram blog post and removing one of the accounts, which today expressed views that are not in alignment with the anti-racist values that we hold and that we committed to in our statement. In order to not amplify this account’s voice, we have removed all reference to it. Should you wish to know which account it was so that you can make a decision about unfollowing it (or not), please message or e-mail us privately.
Here are a few additional accounts to consider following:
Made By Carli
Carli and her beautiful family share a 140-year-old Second Empire style home. Her ability to preserve the best features of the home while mixing in modern elements and colors is a refreshing take on old home interiors.
The City Tudor
This is a young account, but we just fell right in love with this house and the family inside. Just a few photos in and we knew this account was one to follow. We can't wait to see the rest of the story unfold.
Lady Chestnut
We're convinced that Lee Ann is a time traveler from the late 19th century. From her collection of flow blue china to the wallpaper in her office she is an old soul through and through. If you are an adherent to "more-is-more" and "less is a bore" you'll love following Lee Ann and her husband's careful stewardship of their beautiful Queen Anne style home.
My Tiny Estate
Head over to the UK and follow along as Dean and Borja restore their Georgian Estate. Meticulous is their middle name. Carefully stripping doors and trimwork, rebuilding chimneys and uncovering long forgotten courtyards, the two work as a dynamic duo reinventing their beautiful home.
April 17, 2020 by Bradley Huber
Stuck in the house and looking for quality content? Here’s a rundown on all of our favorite Old House Instagram accounts. Much better than HGTV shows, these are real people, real houses, and real budgets AND they’ll interact with you by responding to most of your comments and questions. Follow along for the ride and build a range of virtual friendships with like-minded people, in no particular order.
1. Daniel Kanter
Handle: @danielkanter
Overview: You might already know Daniel from his blog, Manhattan Nest. Choosing to get out of the city and begin a new chapter in his life, he relocated from NYC to Kingston, NY. Here, he bought a loveable but ragged Greek Revival and began renovating the place with the help of his adorable dogs and a good deal of elbow grease.
Why it's worth the follow: Kanter has a knack for mixing antique, mid-century and Scandinavian styles in a harmonious fashion. Furthermore, he does almost all his own work, aside from a few appearances from his carpenter Edwin.
2. House of Brinson
Handle: @houseofbrinson
Overview: Susan and Will own a small estate called Stony Ford located in the Hudson Valley. The duo have been working side by side over the past several years to bring the house back to life.
Why it’s worth the follow: Susan and Will have an incredibly unique sense of style, something they call Avant Revival. Think deep saturated colors, worn patinas, eclectic objects, moody lighting and layered objects. Also dogs.
3. This Old Hudson
Handle: @thisoldhudson
Overview: Ok, I’m still in the Hudson Valley, but I couldn’t leave without mentioning This Old Hudson. Meet Anthony D’Argenzio, a creative professional who has a unique ability to breathe a fresh take into great spaces. Find his work both @thisoldhudson and @zioandsons.
Why it’s worth the follow: Anthony's style is light and fresh, but what sets it apart in my opinion is how he is able to balance minimalist design principles without leaving spaces feeling cool or sparse. Achieved in part it seems, with the use of carefully chosen textures and worn finishes.
4. Renovation Husbands
Handle: @renovationhusbands
Overview: Stephen & David purchased a Victorian-era Shingle Style home, somewhere in and about Boston, MA. With its welcoming wraparound porch and elegant proportions, the exterior of the house covered a BIG secret. The home was by and large gutted when the duo moved in. With many of the interior finishes removed their work was cut out for them (literally).
Why it's worth the follow: I suppose it would have been easy enough to throw up some sheetrock and roll out some carpet to finish the house off, but that's not what happened here. Attention to detail has been the name of the game for these homeowners. Meticulously recreating tailored trim work and built-in bookcases, as well the innate ability to mix an antique setting with contemporary fixtures and furnishings has been a hallmark of the swoonworthy hosts. Plus, one is a beekeeper.
5. The Grit & Polish
Handle: @thegritandpolish
Overview: Moving out to the west coast, we meet Garret and Cathy. A young family with a well proportioned home that would be an understatement to call just charming. Slow but steady work on their house is thoughtful and almost as comforting as a bowl of chicken soup.
Why it's worth the follow: These homeowners have a great sense for timeless style that hits two notes at precisely the same time - fresh and classic. Think honed marble, unlacquered brass, warm wood tones and antique accessories. Carefully selected soundtracks and effortless precision leaves followers feeling incredibly welcome and relaxed in their home.
6. The Gold Hive
Handle: @thegoldhive
Overview: San Diego, California brings us to Ashley and her adorable bungalow. Deep eaves, wide trim, rich colors and a very Instagramable built-in sideboard are just a few of the handsome features of this home. Currently working on her kitchen, Ashley is always up to something interesting.
Why it's worth a follow: In addition to having an uncanny ability to bring her bungalow back to life with a mix of vintage and modern features, she brings a unique voice to the table which we all need to hear about conservation and sustainability. Ashley works hard to make both her home and her lifestyle as energy and resource conscious as possible. Following along with her is a good way to keep these important efforts in mind as we work on our spaces.
7. Old Town Home
Handle: @oldtownhome
Overview: Alex and his wife Wendy have two homes, one a row house in Old Town Alexandria and a country house somewhere along the Chesapeake Bay. His recent work has been centered around refurbishing the country home to become a lovely place for what will one day hopefully become a place of rest and relaxation rather than Instagram content!
Why it's worth a follow: In some ways I think of Old Town Home as the father of the individual old house lnstagram accounts. Alex has an incredibly deep repertoire of old house skills, which he shares generously with his followers. Whether it be plastering or wood window repairs, this is the guy to watch.
8. Blake Hill House
Handle: @blakehillhouse_
Overview: A little closer to home, Stacy has a handsome home located near East Aurora, NY. Perhaps with one of the most impressive stair halls on Instagram.
Why it's worth a follow: Not only is it fun to watch Stacy complete work on her house but she is an expert on all things old windows and doors. Routinely dropping pearls of wisdom and how-to’s, this is an account not to miss.
9. Cheap Old Houses
Handle: @cheapoldhouses
Overview: The handle says it all. A bounty of old houses to pine over for bargain basement prices.
Why it's worth a follow: This is where it all begins, like the gateway drug to being your own old house Instagram star. This account is not for the faint of heart, because you’ll fall deep, hard and fast.