Carolina lawmakers go back to the future.

Lawmakers in both South and North Carolina took a trip backward in time when they re-entered the halls of their venerable old Capitol buildings this year.

South Carolina's 143-year-old State House reopened officially in August after undergoing three years of renovation. At a cost of $48 million it was restored to its original 19th century glory, complete with new copper dome and Victorian era furniture.

And it is indeed a lighter, brighter building. Black paint that had covered the glass on the inside of the rotunda was scraped off. Interior colors - based on extensive research of the building's earliest days - are softer and lighter.

More than $857,000 was spent on designer cloth wall coverings for legislative chambers and other rooms. Special fabric was imported from France for use as drapery fringe. The ornate, pressed tin ceilings also were painstakingly restored by workers lying on their back atop huge scaffolds.

"The place is just replete with history," noted Speaker David Wilkins. "It brings something special to what we're about. I think it demands respect."

Gone is the hodgepodge of 20th century additions to the building, including the wall-to-wall carpet that masked the marble in the second floor lobby, as well as the dropped ceilings and partition walls in many offices. The Capitol floor plan now corresponds more closely to the original design, although new fire exits and handicapped access elevators were added.

Safety was one of the motivations for the renovation. In fact, a quarter of the total restoration budget went toward making the building safer.

Makeshift wiring and plumbing were replaced, asbestos was removed and a new roof was put on, the slate coming from the same quarry as the original stone. Workers also excavated underneath parts of the foundation to install two new foundations designed to prevent a collapse during an earthquake.

"It's a beautiful facility," noted Senate Clerk Frank Caggiano. "I think everyone will be very proud of the work that's been done."

North Carolina legislators moved back into the old House and Senate chambers in May for a brief ceremonial session when the renovated state Capitol opened. It was the first time since 1961 that both chambers convened in the 1840 Greek Revival landmark. The legislature meets in the legislative building down the street.

Renovation was a "learning experience," according to North Carolina's Carol Henderson, assistant Capitol building administrator. Researchers had to determine the original paint colors, carpet patterns and window shade designs so they could be replicated. Workers re-created the original oak grain pattern on the statehouse's 12-foot studded doors and reproduced the granite pattern that decorated the 1840 walls of the rotunda and stairwells. Many lawmakers' desks are refurbished originals.

Each legislative chamber has four restored fireplaces. Since most legislators were farmers back in 1840 (the year the Capitol was built to replace the statehouse that burned in 1831), they needed the extra warmth when they met during the winter.

Special features include a legislative chamber with two library tables - and a whiskey barrel brought in by "carpetbaggers" during Reconstruction.

Work began with the Senate chamber in 1995, and renovating the House chamber, which began in 1997, was completed this spring. The entire project should be finished by January. The cost through May was $1.9 million with the total estimated at $3.2 million.