If you’re in the early stages of a home renovation, we’re here to help. We offer interior design advice and inspiration to help homeowners make the most of their period property restorations.
With heritage properties, you want to strike a balance between authenticity and personality. No one wants to feel like they live in a museum. Combining original items alongside modern touches can help to elevate a simple space and make it feel more like a home.
The small details are one of the best ways to elevate a space and make it feel authentic and “you”. Let’s explore why the small details matter so much for period property restorations, and what you can do to introduce these elements into your designs.
If you are renovating a Victorian, Georgian or Edwardian home, it helps to think about the driving forces behind some of the design choices of the time. Understanding the origins of these choices can help you to appreciate why they are so important – and how they contribute to authenticity.
The Victorian era in particular was punctuated by the arrival of industrial-era production. This meant mass production of things that would have once been handled by artisan producers.
The result? This meant that home decor was no longer reserved for the ultra-wealthy, and ordinary folk could get their hands on the design elements that make a house a home. This was seen in the mass production of things like ornate wallpaper, cast iron accessories and brass decor. There is nowhere this is more evident than in the arrival of the ornate door knob – a status symbol that could now be enjoyed by everyone.
If you spend any amount of time roaming the halls of National Trust properties, with perfectly staged period property rooms, you’ll likely notice something unique. You might take in the vista as a whole, appreciating the scale and grandeur of the property, but your eye will be continually drawn to one distinct aspect – the little details.
Ornate drawer pulls, light switches, tiles around a fireplace, details on a candlestick, the carved wooden arms of an armchair. These small elements show a degree of craftsmanship and skill, which speaks to our human habit of valuing items more when we can see the work that has gone into them.
The same can be said of the intricate details in your home. The next time you’re hitting the salvage yards, antique shops or charity shops, try to steer clear of the larger items and instead look for the small items that stand out to you.
Another common interior design rule is to invest more (time, money, attention) into the things that you will touch every day. This can help to guide your renovation and ensure that you are focusing on the changes that you’ll actually notice and enjoy.
Things that you touch every day include light switches, door knobs, drawer pulls, light switches, electrical sockets, carpets and soft furnishings. Focus on the tactile experience you want to create for your home, and the interior design choices will naturally follow.
Going too “matchy matchy” with the metal choices in your home can look a little overwhelming. Instead, embrace the mixed metals look to achieve an effortless, lived-in look. Your home style will look like it has evolved over time, rather than undergoing an instantaneous renovation.
With period properties, the home may have seen multiple renovations over the years. You might find original door knobs that are old and worn out alongside more modern eyesores – like the classic cheap satin chrome door handle that seems to find its way into every home. While some variation can look interesting, keeping things period-appropriate will help to bring the whole look together. We’ve shared our thoughts on how to work with popular metals like brass and nickel in the past.
Every homeowner dreams of finding intact original features hiding in their home, but these elements have often seen better days. Take your time to consider the cost versus benefits of lovingly restoring original features versus replacing them with originals in better condition or even faithful replicas. You’ll still enjoy a touch of authenticity as you’ll be replacing like-for-like.
Looking for the perfect finishing touches for your home? We stock a wide range of replica vintage door knobs, cupboard handles and door hardware to help make your restoration streamlined and stress-free. Spend more and you’ll save more, with bulk discounts automatically applied to your basket.
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