MEET THE OLD HOUSE LOVES TEAM
Old House Loves, LLC was born when three old house enthusiasts realized that their collective passion, training, and experiences renovating old houses and creating beautiful gardens could benefit others struggling with design and color decisions in their own homes.
Our passion for old houses is undeniable but our philosophy is that every house needs some old house character and old house soul. Whether it's mixing antiques or architectural salvage with new items, choosing period-appropriate paint colors, or designing an heirloom urban garden we can help turn your house into a home you love.
Our passion for old houses is undeniable but our philosophy is that every house needs some old house character and old house soul. Whether it's mixing antiques or architectural salvage with new items, choosing period-appropriate paint colors, or designing an heirloom urban garden we can help turn your house into a home you love.
Lauri Hafvenstein
Forever passionate about color, Lauri Hafvenstein became interested in its architectural and historic application while restoring her 100-year-old row house in Washington, D.C. She is professionally qualified by the International Association of Color Consultants (IACC) and has been trained as aTrue Colour Expert™. Lauri earned a degree in Fine Art Photography from the Corcoran College of Art & Design and holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she guest lectures on color theory. Her wide-ranging color design projects include a 1790's row house exterior in Baltimore's historic Fells Point neighborhood, e-design consultations from Pennsylvania to California, and multi-level new construction interiors throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area.
A long-time advocate for historic preservation, Lauri is actively involved in community efforts to preserve buildings of historic significance and assure that new development fits with the unique character of neighborhood. She is a past President of the Park View United Neighborhood Coalition and served on the Board of the non-profit Friends of the Soldiers Home, an organization dedicated to strengthening the bond between the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Washington and the surrounding community through service, education and engagement. The grounds of the AFRH are home to President Lincoln's Cottage, a National Monument, National Historic Landmark, and a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She is co-author of the book Images of America, Park View.
A long-time advocate for historic preservation, Lauri is actively involved in community efforts to preserve buildings of historic significance and assure that new development fits with the unique character of neighborhood. She is a past President of the Park View United Neighborhood Coalition and served on the Board of the non-profit Friends of the Soldiers Home, an organization dedicated to strengthening the bond between the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Washington and the surrounding community through service, education and engagement. The grounds of the AFRH are home to President Lincoln's Cottage, a National Monument, National Historic Landmark, and a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She is co-author of the book Images of America, Park View.
Jeanne O'Meara
Jeanne O'Meara spent the first 20 years of her career at Time Life running the TV Media Buying Division. During those years, Jeanne continued to be pulled to her true passion: renovating and re-imagining old homes, creating beautiful gardens and interiors. Jeanne studied landscape design at George Washington University and has served three terms on the Board of Peerless Rockville, a community-based non-profit focused on historic preservation. She believes that experience is the greatest of teachers, working not only to transform her own historic house and gardens but guiding others to help their homes realize their fullest potential.
A firm believer that the devil is in the details, Jeanne has perfected the art of shopping for everything from architectural salvage to modern appliances, from cast iron garden urns to an English sideboard... And she has never met a chandelier she didn't think she could squeeze in somewhere. Jeanne enjoys the process of reinvention and decorating as much as the final product; we can guarantee when you work with Jeanne on a design project, you'll be inspired and successful...and you'll have fun.
A firm believer that the devil is in the details, Jeanne has perfected the art of shopping for everything from architectural salvage to modern appliances, from cast iron garden urns to an English sideboard... And she has never met a chandelier she didn't think she could squeeze in somewhere. Jeanne enjoys the process of reinvention and decorating as much as the final product; we can guarantee when you work with Jeanne on a design project, you'll be inspired and successful...and you'll have fun.
Donna Sprague
Sixteen years of renovation experience including two of her own 130-year-old Victorians has provided Donna with valuable hands-on experience in both the challenges and joys of bringing an old house back to life and making it a home. With a penchant for restoring, re-purposing, and re-imagining indoor and outdoor spaces, Donna is also committed to recommending environmentally responsible solutions for OHL clients whenever possible, from no-VOC paints for your walls, to beautiful, water-saving, native plantings for your gardens. Donna studied landscape design at George Washington University.
An Annapolis native and lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Donna Sprague brings to OHL a passion for customers honed over a long career in market research, most recently as VP, Consumer Insights for the National Geographic Society. Your project will benefit from Donna's deep experience in strategic planning and goal-focused decision-making, as well as her superb project management skills, clear communication, and attention to detail.
An Annapolis native and lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Donna Sprague brings to OHL a passion for customers honed over a long career in market research, most recently as VP, Consumer Insights for the National Geographic Society. Your project will benefit from Donna's deep experience in strategic planning and goal-focused decision-making, as well as her superb project management skills, clear communication, and attention to detail.
As Seen in:
Old House Loves' 1917 kitchen restoration featured in Kitchen Think, A guide to design and restoration, from refurbishing to renovation by custom furniture and cabinetmaker Nancy Hiller.