Continuing our series on the building materials that make old houses so special, Roger Hunt looks at the tradition of the fireplace and meets some restoration specialists in south London.
Staircases are often overlooked but are integral to a house’s history, says Roger Hunt as he considers the care and repair of originals, plus the skilled reproduction of period styles.
Nikki Holden has put her ingenuity and energy into renovating her family’s first period home. The French-style home included an old wash house and a barn, and Nikki has completely tranformed it, largely on a DIY basis, with a little help from her husband Simon. They have put their hearts into making sure it has a welcoming feel.
Alex and Steve Drake pushed their financial limits to buy this period property, and with only a small amount of money in the budget, they’ve made it their own with some inexpensive renovation options. The transformation of this small home shows what can be done even when money is tight.
Over the last 24 years, Helen and Martin Ephgrave have gradually restored their Edwardian house, and now have a home they can never imagine leaving. The three bedroom house, built c.1905 has been restored in a simple Shaker-style, with many of the original features restored.
Born to Restore: Following in the footsteps of her renovating family, Maria Bradburn and her husband Wayne have restored an old house with a wealth of Victorian and Edwardian period features. The couple have managed to maintain and restore many of the period features, including original tiles and mouldings, and enhanced them with antique store finds.
A two-year hands-on renovation of this Edwardian house has turned a dated property into an inviting home, full of authentic oriental furniture that complements the carefully restored original features.
In many ways, original period doors and window frames are just as valuable as antique furniture, says Roger Hunt, and are heirlooms in their own right. Here's some expert advice on how to maintain original doors and windows in period houses.
