As part of this weekend's Doors Open Denver festivities, the Denver Public Library is offering a free talk on "Researching, Restoring and Remodeling Your Classic Home."

Details of the session have been described as follows:

Saturday, April 14, 2007, 1-4 p.m.
The Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

An overview of architectural styles in the Queen City of the Plains, from 1860-2006, covering buildings from the log cabin to the suburban tract will start the program. Emphasis will be on the classic Denver styles, such as Victorian, Foursquare, bungalow, Tudor and ranch. Learn what distinguishes one style from another, how some homes are blends of several styles and how to identify your classic home.

Architect Doug Walter, winner of a 2006 Historic Denver Restoration for Living Award, will describe certain key maintenance items that must be addressed to keep the home safe, warm and dry for years to come along with the warning signs to look out for. For those who live in a historic district, the application and approval process will be outlined. For those owners of classic homes who really want to live a 21st century lifestyle in a 20th century house, Walter will discuss how to add on with sensitivity to the original architectural style. Walter’s entertaining slide presentation will differentiate between the rigors of restoration, the activities that constitute rehabilitation and the more extensive activities that make up remodeling.