Old House ConsultingSaving historic character one home at a time.
We believe historic houses deserve to be lived in, loved, and thoughtfully updated. Guided by that mission, we offer preservation-minded consulting, design guidance, and historic home assessments that highlight original craftsmanship, identify what should be preserved, and provide a clear, practical path forward.
Our passion is old houses. Our goal is to help homeowners, contractors, and real estate professionals protect the character that makes each home special while making thoughtful restoration more approachable and attainable.
Your old house consulting team.
Laura Parrish
Old House Consultant
As a designer and historic home renovator, Laura Parrish has spent over a decade restoring houses from the 1600s through the mid-1900s, each treated as a true labor of love. She is well known for her restoration of The Whalehouse in New Bedford, MA which has been featured on Magnolia Network’s Diary of an Old Home on HBO Max, Chronicle, Real Simple Magazine, Pottery Barn, West Elm, The Boston Globe and New York Times Travel, amongst other publications. She sits on the board of a historic restoration community development non-profit, and has multi-year experience as the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a mid-size city.
She believes in honoring an old home for what it is – celebrating its quirks, craftsmanship, and imperfections as part of its enduring charm. Her passion lies in helping people enjoy living in their historic homes while preserving what makes them unique, so they feel cherished rather than frozen in time.
Katharine White MacPhail
Architect
Katharine White MacPhail is an old house architect with a passion for new technologies and helping people achieve their dreams. She received a Master of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in 1996, a BA in Art History from Mount Holyoke College where she fell for classical antiquities. Later she completed graduate work in Historic Preservation at Boston University before pursuing a career in architecture. For many years she has been examining how to keep a home renovation sustainable.
She also hosted her own renovation podcast, Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven, that was produced for 4 years and aimed to help homeowners with their renovation questions. She and her husband moved to Fairhaven, MA in 2022 to renovate a 1794 federal style home, a project still in progress.
Our services.
Virtual Strategy Session
A focused 60–90 minute video consultation for homeowners, buyers, or renovators who need quick, expert guidance. Laura Parrish and residential architect Katharine White MacPhail review photos, videos, inspection notes, or plans to help you understand what’s original, what’s worth preserving, and how to prioritize repairs or updates.
Perfect for buyers evaluating a potential purchase, homeowners unsure where to start, or anyone seeking clarity before investing.
In-Person Strategy Session
A hands-on, on-site walkthrough for clients who want to ask questions about their home’s character, condition, and explore possibilities. Laura and Katharine examine period features, discuss design possibilities and preservation priorities, and identify areas where thoughtful updates could add comfort and value. You’ll leave with actionable recommendations tailored to your home.
Ideal for those preparing for a renovation, planning long-term stewardship, or wanting to understand their home’s story.
Renovation Consulting
With Laura’s practical restoration experience and design eye, paired with Katharine’s architectural expertise, we help ensure updates honor the home’s character while supporting modern living. We provide full design services along with guidance on design decisions, troubleshoot issues as they arise, and help maintain the integrity of the home throughout the project. This elevates your renovation team and reduces avoidable mistakes.
For homeowners, builders, or general contractors navigating a renovation or restoration.
Historic Home Report for Real Estate Professionals
We conduct a visual, preservation-focused assessment that highlights original features, visible condition issues, and opportunities for sensitive updates. The report showcases the architectural elements and period charm that differentiate the property in the market, offering sellers a compelling story and helping buyers see the home as exciting rather than overwhelming.
For real estate professionals with historic home listings
Our work.
The Whalehouse – Southcoast, MA c. 1855
Completed work: Complete exterior restoration including copper flashing, restoring original woodwork, and period-appropriate paint choices. Window restoration for all 72 original windows including reglazing, painting, and restoration of window pulleys. Kitchen and bathroom renovation with period-appropriate design details. Preservation-forward interior projects to maintain character, such as: main stairway restoration, floor refinishing, aesthetic design choices to highlight the home’s unique beauty. Roof replacement. Double boiler installation for 14 zone heating system.
Project by Laura Parrish. Featured on Magnolia Network, Chronicle, New York Times Travel, Boston Globe, Hulu, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Real Simple, The Spruce and more.
Old Crowell Farm – Cape Cod, MA c. 1690
Completed work: Exterior cedar-plank siding, fiberglass gutter replacement, two-system heat-pump installation with preservation approach for exterior units. Ongoing work: Windmill restoration including heating and cooling, insulation, and addressing safety concerns.
Project by Laura Parrish
