Seven layers — tile, linoleum and Masonite — were peeled away before Gregg and Nisha Harke could get a peek at the original pine wood floor in their 1896 Victorian home.

“His blood, sweat and tears are literally in the floors and walls of this house,” Nisha said of her husband’s handiwork. Gregg grew up in Minneapolis, Nisha in New Jersey. They met through a mutual friend and married nine years ago.

They moved from a home near Butler University to the Woodruff Place neighborhood in 2006 and lived in their home’s two-bedroom carriage house while they worked on the 4,500-square-foot main residence.

It took nearly a year for the four-bedroom home to become habitable.

In addition to the floors, the couple installed heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units, added a new roof, replaced the cast-iron plumbing and constructed a new kitchen.

Most of the home is marked by new 2-inch-wide oak flooring; only the third floor — once the maid quarters and now a guest suite — retains original pine planks.

“We have more than 24,000 nails in the first floor, and we put them all in ourselves. I know how to use a miter saw,” said Nisha, 42, who works as manager of finance for Wabash Valley Power. Her husband owns Harke Enterprises, a business that specializes in renovating homes.

“Two-thirds of the time we’ve been married, we’ve worked on this house,” Gregg said.

The couple wanted to salvage what they could of the home. But its interior was badly deteriorated when they bought it, and the floor plan had been divided into apartments by the previous owners. The only original woodwork that remained was a main stairway, fireplace mantel and entryway.

“We’ll never remove that door, because it’s part of the home’s history,” Nisha said, referring to an entry where carriage drivers once picked up the women of the house.

Although little else of the home’s history remains, the Harkes have created a house that is cozy and functional for their children, Spencer, 8, and Neva, 5.

“Even though it’s an old house, instead of restoration, we did a renovation,” said Nisha. “The home lent itself to modernization, so we went the practical route,” said Gregg, 45.

The conveniences include a comfortable family room with big-screen TV and comfy leather furniture. French doors lead to a library with a fireplace.

A granite breakfast bar divides the family room from the kitchen, where the countertops are made of matching black granite and the maple cabinets are stained a shade of cinnamon.

A Bosch stove and microwave and LG fridge and dishwasher were in storage for nearly two years after the Harkes purchased them on sale.

Throughout the home are signs of the Harkes’ bargain finds: a vessel sink on clearance at Lowe’s for $50; heavy wooden pantry doors from a salvage furniture store, also purchased for $50; and a desk in their daughter’s room that was earmarked for a friend’s trash.

A corner china hutch was moved from the carriage house to create extra storage in their daughter’s room.

In keeping with the home’s original character, the Harkes have mixed antiques with modern furnishings.

A large table that once belonged to Gregg’s grandmother is the centerpiece for a dining room shared by an antique china hutch and buffet. A chandelier from Lowe’s lights the room.

Other lighting from IKEA is found throughout the home. IKEA storage units are used in three second-floor bedrooms.

A master suite includes a fireside sitting room, walk-in closet and master bath with travertine tile floor and steam shower.

Tiling, painting and much of the custom cabinetry was done by Gregg, with the help of his father, Glenn, who is a shop teacher, and his mother, Sharon Harke. They live in Minneapolis.

The couple hired contractors to install drywall and add six shades of color to the home’s exterior. Indiana Window Restoration put in dual-pane glass in all the windows.

“I think we knew when to call in professionals,” Nisha said. “The rest is our work, something to give the home longevity.”

Added Gregg: “I guess this is my legacy.”