08 Apr Your Guide To Sympathetic Makeovers For A Period Home
Period properties have always enjoyed a special place in many a homebuyer’s heart. From quaint country cottages to charm-packed Victorian mansions or generous Edwardian semis, these properties from a bygone age are treasure troves of history, with original architectural features that make them stand out from the crowd. They don’t build them like that anymore, as they say.
Living in one of these old beauties is the dream for many, but if you are the lucky owner, you will quickly realise that your heritage home probably needs a bit of work. What’s more, many period properties have designated listed status or are located in Conservation Areas which will limit what you can do. But even if there are no planning restrictions to work around, how can you make your period home fit for 21st century living without ruining the character that makes the property so special in the first place?
Here, we take a look at some ideas and inspiration to help you do just that: decide what improvements need to be made and how to go about updating your period property without jeopardising its special qualities.
Celebrate ‘good bones’
When it comes to making over a period building, the first thing to consider is what you should keep. Whether you own a modest Victorian terrace or a grand Georgian mansion, there’ll be interesting architecture aplenty alongside building materials and techniques that may no longer be used today. Identify the building’s ‘bones’ and aim to preserve their beauty, restoring them in such a way that respects and embraces the integrity of the building.
Unless you are an architect or construction expert yourself, it makes sense to assemble a team of professionals with specialist knowledge of period building methods and materials. Take sliding sash windows, for instance. These iconic features are often neglected to the point that they’re no longer functional or timber decay has set in. But rather than replacing them with unsympathetic UPVC replacements, it’s worth finding a craftsman who can renovate and restore them back to their former glory.
From thatched roofs to original parquet flooring, timber beams to ornate ceiling mouldings, stained glass, wall panelling and much more besides, there’s a wealth of wonderful original features that are worth keeping. Take your cue from the building’s architecture, both inside and out, and use it as a basis for your refurbishment works.
Tradition with a modern twist
While the decision to preserve or restore your home’s unique key features may be a no brainer, bear in mind that nobody wants to live in a museum. Particularly when it comes to the ‘working’ parts of the home such as the kitchen and bathrooms, it’s important to make changes that reflect our modern expectations of what a home should offer both in terms of contemporary functionality and style.
- Classic country kitchens are the hub of the home. Simple Shaker kitchen units or painted wood cabinetry with a modern range cooker and a Butler sink may be a sympathetic interpretation of what a modern kitchen in a period property should look and feel like. Choose honest materials and simple finishes such as natural stone floors, timber worktops, aged metals and wood panelling to produce a traditional ambience with a modern twist. Decorate your kitchen with vintage finds that suit the age of the property and have a degree of imperfection.
Alternatively, give your kitchen a modern twist by juxtaposing the old with the new. Contrast a traditional kitchen design with modern materials such as glass, chrome or concrete, contemporary colour schemes and textiles.
- In the bathroom, why not embrace the traditional charm of a roll-top bath, high-level WC and vintage style basin? There’s no shortage of traditional design choices in bathroom stores up and down the country.
By combining luxury traditional materials with the latest bathroom tech, it’s easy to produce a solution that offers the best of both worlds. For the ultimate in mod cons, push the boat out and add underfloor heating or invest in smart home features such as bathroom sound systems, TV or Bluetooth speakers, colour changing LED lighting and voice-activated controls.
Perfect interiors schemes
A similar approach should be used for choosing the right interior design for your classic home. You’re aiming for a look that respects the property’s history and architectural heritage but without resorting to pastiche attempts at recreating the past. And, crucially, whatever decorating theme you decide to go for, it should reflect your own personal style.
Traditional cottages with low ceilings and small windows may benefit from a fresh white or pastel colour scheme to maximise natural lighting coming in. Alternatively, playful patterns and colours can enhance the country cottage theme. Bear in mind that modern flatpack furniture may look totally out of place in a traditional setting.
Grander period homes can play with darker colour schemes that are very on-trend right now. Rich, moody hues of navy, forest green or black can create dramatic interiors that work perfectly in, say, Victorian surroundings. Dark shades can create cosy interiors and a sense of intimacy that may be ideal for large rooms with high ceilings. As one leading interior designer explains, “when you go dark, you suddenly create this vibe that almost exaggerates cosiness; you just want to hunker down and never want to leave.”
However you decide to renovate and update your period home, there’s one thing that the experts agree on: don’t rush into any decisions. Act in haste and repent at leisure, as they say. If you’ve only recently purchased the property, live in it for at least a few months (and ideally a whole year) so you get to understand the space and how it flows, and how you use individual rooms. Take your time to make important design decisions and be prepared to be flexible, allowing yourself to go with the demands of the house as layers of history are peeled back and reveal themselves.