Repainting isn't necessary to get new life out of old building materials—scraping paint off can provide an entirely new aesthetic that still speaks to an element's history and materiality.  Photo 2 of 11 in Budget-Friendly Renovation of a Neoclassical Home in Oslo

Budget-Friendly Renovation of a Neoclassical Home in Oslo

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The goal of the renovation was to get the most out of every square inch, since there was no way to expand beyond the apartment’s historic envelope. Always-open double doors—stripped down to their original wood—connect the railroad-style parlors to create an open, loftlike feel.