There’s something magical about an older home—the quirky nooks and crannies, the sense of history and that lived-in, cozy feeling you get when you walk in the door. Still, many old homes do need some work, and since the real estate market is experiencing a reno-revolution, you may just choose to update everything while you’re at it. But make sure you’re not throwing any antique assets along with those out-of-date laminate countertops: Certain elements of older homes are likely to always be valuable and in demand—regardless of current trends.
In the colonial era, punched or pierced tin made an appearance on everything from pie safes to lanterns, permitting air to circulate around baked goods and fend off bugs as well as shield candles from the wind. Today, “poor man’s silver,” as the indented tin is known, lends a low-effort, handcrafted look to cabinets, backsplashes, and headboards alike—no tinsmithing required. With a hammer and either a nail or awl, drive holes through tin sheets and use them as panels in your favorite accent, or pierce tin cans and drop a candle inside to create handheld luminaries. Of course, you can also stop by the hardware store and pick up replica versions (like these from The Home Depot) for easy installation.