Custom Residential, Interior Design
Your House Shouldn’t Be Perfect
Homes are meant to age. And while obviously new spaces have their place, there is something special about a home that feels a little imperfect. Here are some of our favorite materials that add an organic, lived-in feel to a home, even when the spaces are entirely new.
December 11, 2025
At Board & Vellum, we have a soft spot for old houses. We love their quirks: the worn floors, the scuffed corners, and the layers of history that make each home unique.
At the same time, we hear you when you say you want updates. After all, we’ve been working on classic homes for more than 14 years, and we consider ourselves pretty seasoned at blending the old with the new.
But here’s the question: how do you update a home without erasing its story? How do you make a space feel fresh while keeping that lived-in character?
Materials that bring character (and dare we say, age) to your home.
The complex answers to these questions could easily fill a series of blog posts, but today we’re talking about one simple idea: choosing materials that age gracefully.
The right finishes can keep a remodel from looking like it was finished yesterday. Instead, they help your home feel like it’s been part of your life all along.
Here are some of our favorite go-tos when it comes to embracing that beautifully imperfect aesthetic.
Unlacquered Metals
That beautiful patina you see on old brass or bronze fixtures? It’s back, and it’s here to stay.
Lights On
The pendants over this kitchen island are an unlacquered brass, which matches the traditional and will age beautifully with the home.
For years, the trend was to use PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coatings to keep plumbing and lighting looking shiny and new. Now, clients are asking for unlacquered finishes, and we couldn’t be happier.
Unlacquered finishes meant to change, and that transformation adds richness to your home. In fact, we’ve even experimented with speeding up the patina process, so the “newness” wears off sooner, giving your space an instant layer of character.
Soapstone
A true classic, especially in kitchens and baths. Soapstone scratches, it stains, and it shows wear, and that’s exactly why we love it. Every mark becomes part of the story of your space.
Aging Materials
This soapstone countertop will age beautifully along side the reclaimed butcher block island.
While you can oil it to minimize imperfections, it’s one of those materials that gets better with age. We think its lived-in look is what makes it so special.
Handmade Tile
Hand-painted and hand-formed tiles are each a little bit different, and that’s what makes them shine. These tiles don’t just cover a surface, they tell a story. You can see the brushstrokes, the uneven edges, and the color variations that remind you a human hand crafted them.
Organic Tile
Natural imperfections in this tile backsplash are desired, and bring a delightful variation to the surface.
Cement tile is another great option. It develops a worn patina over time that feels warm, welcoming, and full of personality.
Low-Sheen Paint
Paint colors aren’t the only thing shifting, sheens are, too. Instead of high gloss, try a softer matte finish. It relaxes your walls and makes them feel less “done.”
Matte Finishes
The matte finish and visible strokes of these plaster walls feel softer and more lived in than high-sheen finishes.
Back-brushing casework to leave visible brushstrokes is another trick we love; it adds a subtle handmade quality and tones down that just-painted look. It’s those small details that make a space feel warm and approachable rather than stiff and perfect.
Traditional Wallpaper
Wallpaper has been trending for years, but lately, we’re seeing a return to classics, both in motifs and in how they’re made.
Traditional Patterns
Rich wallpapers in traditional patterns like this create a sense of age that honors older homes and brings maturity to newer ones.
Woven papers, hand-blocked patterns, and slightly imperfect prints bring texture and life to walls in a way mass-produced papers can’t. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating depth and character.
Lived-In Fabric
Think hand-blocked prints, worn-in leathers, and textiles with natural slubs or uneven hems. Textiles that have a lived-in feel create comfort and character, like your favorite armchair that only gets better with age.
Fabulous Fabrics
Layers of fabrics and textiles in lush patterns give this space personality and life.
We’re seeing more and more clients ask for fabrics that feel “real,” materials that soften over time, carry a bit of patina, and don’t look too precious to touch.
Woodwork
If your home already has original wood trim or millwork, honor it! These details connect your home to its past. We often work with finishers to blend stains so they feel like they’ve always been there, rather than standing out as brand new.
Old and New
The millwork in this home was replaced, but in the same style as the original home. Keeping it in the old style allows it and the more modern updates to shine equally.
A little irregularity in tone or grain makes a room feel timeless, like it’s been lovingly cared for through the years.
We’ll always love modern, sleek, and shiny projects — they have their place, too. But we also believe a home should grow with you, not stay pristine forever. A perfect home can be beautiful, but one that shows its history feels alive. Every scratch, patina, and brushstroke is part of the story of how you live in your space.
When we mix the old with the new, the result is something much deeper than style alone. It’s comfort, it’s memory, it’s a reflection of the people who live there. To us, that’s what good design is all about! Creating homes that feel like a big hug: warm, familiar, and welcoming.
