Carolina's Home Story: From an almost 100-year-old building to a trendy design domicile

We talked to interior blogger Carolina about her individual renovation story. In an interview, the 38-year-old reveals how she and her husband proceeded, which sources they used to find out about buying windows and what they paid attention to when choosing their new windows.

Carolina, what is there to know about your house?

Our house is an old building from 1927 that we bought in 2021. It was originally an apartment building and in a partly very poor condition. We spent almost two years gutting the house, renovating it and restructuring it into a single-family home. In doing so, we placed great emphasis on sustainability and modern standards, while at the same time it was important to us to preserve and restore the old charm of the house. 

What steps did you take in the course of the renovation?

In the course of the renovation, we have taken several measures. 

1. Planning and restructuring: The house was replanned from an apartment building with angled floor plans into an open and spacious single-family house.
2. Gutting: We have dismantled the entire house down to the foundation walls. We even demolished the roof truss. Only the old wooden staircase has survived.
3. Reconstruction and restoration of old building elements: In addition to the staircase, which we sanded down and restored for weeks, it was important to us to integrate other typical style elements, such as stucco moldings or a new front door, which is visually a copy of the old door, but energetically and technically state-of-the-art. That was also our goal when choosing the windows.

Did you have professional support in the planning?

No, we took over the entire planning, coordination and implementation ourselves, without the support of architects or site managers. Only for the statics we had help from a professional. The fact that the end result turned out even more beautiful than we imagined makes us particularly proud.

How did you go about finding out about the window replacement?

We have dealt intensively with the topic of window replacement to ensure that the new windows meet our expectations both functionally and aesthetically. We used various sources. We did some research online, got advice from specialty stores, and talked to other homeowners as well as experts to make the best possible choice. Sometimes we walked through the neighborhood for hours to get inspired.

What was particularly important to you when deciding on your new windows?

Three aspects were important to us when deciding on the new windows. 

1. Energy efficiency: The windows should meet the latest standards to improve the energy efficiency of the house. 
2. Functionality: The windows should not only look good, but also be functional, safe and easy to use.
3. Style: It was important to us that the windows match the charm of the house and underline the special character.

What role did the look of your new windows play?

The appearance of the new windows played a very important role. It was clear to us from the beginning that windows with a modern look would not fit in with the rest of the house. The typical old building windows from this year of construction have many visual features: narrow frames, the subdivision by mullion and skylight, plus stylistic elements such as transoms and a continuous weather strip. These visual characteristics were just as important to us as the amenities that modern PVC windows offer, for example in terms of their durability . That's why we opted for classic style windows that blend harmoniously into the overall look of the house.

 

 
After their extensive research, Carolina and her husband select classic white style windows made by a German manufacturer from GEALAN profiles. This is the GEALAN-LUMAXX® variant from the S 9000 system. Due to its functional features and visual advantages, this is extremely suitable for renovation projects. The particularly narrow frames from GEALAN-LUMAXX® ensure bright interiors and a tasteful design. The well thought-out design also requires very good thermal insulation values, which enable pleasantly warm rooms. So Carolina's children grow up not only in a beautiful, but also cozy home. 

Looking back, how satisfied are you with your election?

Looking back, we are very satisfied with our choice. All the hours of research and planning were definitely worth it. The new windows meet all our requirements in terms of appearance and energy efficiency. They contribute significantly to the special atmosphere of the house. The combination of old and new elements gives the house a unique flair that both we and our guests like very much. 
 
Every renovation project is individual. All owners set their own priorities for the future of their property and in the choice of their new windows. We would like to thank Carolina for sharing her experiences and the inspiring insights into her stylish four walls. 

Blogger Carolina in her newly renovated home