A place in which to live, resurrected by their own efforts.

A bit to chew on from a website about restoring old homes:

"Certain people are attracted by the lure of owning an older home. Upon walking into an antique house there is that unmistakable sense of history that greets one, the feeling that multiple generations of prior inhabitants have trod the floors, that there have been births and deaths within, joys and sorrows. Wide floor boards that are well worn, numerous nooks and crannies, small rooms, multiple fireplaces, multi-paned windows - all speak of times past, and in some cases hundreds of years gone by.
That the house still stands, having endured countless storms and natural catastrophies, creates a feeling of permanence in a modern world caught up in rapid change. Whether it be mystique or pure romance, the older home appeals to the potential restorer in such a way that any inconveniences will not only be overlooked, but hopefully enjoyed as a part of the entire package. Finally, there are those who relish the often daunting task of the restoration process facing them, knowing that when they finish, they will have a place in which to live that has been resurrected by their own efforts."