To do a restoration right, you need serious historical knowledge, something that Frank Shirley has in spades. Whether he’s completely reviving a Newburyport mansion or lifting a roof to add a third-level living space, the author of the book New Rooms for Old Houses knows how to insert modern amenities into ancient structures without compromising their period appeal. If you’re missing the home’s original 1810 staircase, he’ll design one that even purists would swear is authentic.

Frank Shirley Architects | 75 Henry St., Cambridge, MA | 617-547-3355 | http://www.frankshirleyarchitects.com