Remodeling a rambler

Judy Grundstrom shares her tips for updating a vintage home for modern living:

A rambler is a rambler. "Don't try to turn a rambler into something else. I get these calls from people who say, 'I have a rambler but I'd like to make it Tuscan or Craftsman.' I actually turn those projects down. If your house is going to have any historic integrity for the future, allow it to be a rambler."

Work with what you've got. People who own vintage houses often want to remove original features that they consider too dark, such as old fireplaces or paneling. But it's easier, and much less expensive, to brighten a space with light-colored furniture and vibrant accents, she said.

Know your limits. Doing it yourself is a great way to save money, but some projects are better left to professionals. The Grundstroms decided they were handy enough to install the mosaic glass tile in their kitchen, a decision they soon regretted. "That was the worst weekend of my life, so stressful that we almost got divorced," Judy Grundstrom said. "Now I tell everyone, 'Pay the money. It's a steal.' "

KIM PALMER