Content tagged with "Victorian"
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.
The story of stone is the story of building traditions over the last thousand years. Roger Hunt assesses the impact of this ancient material on our domestic lives, and visits a working quarry in West Sussex.
Paper magic: Corner cupboards are common features in old houses, but can be difficult to incorporate into a contemporary decorating scheme. Helaine Clare’s easy eight-step project uses wallpaper to transform the look of this fine Victorian example.
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.
Lynda and Peter Thomas knocked a pair of Victorian seafront semis into one to create a spacious and individual home. The couple have used a combination of reclaimed materials, antiques and junk shop finds, along with newer items, to create charming interiors.
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.
Joanne and Andy Ross’s bathroom makeover required patience, commitment, scaffolding – and a forklift truck; no wonder it won the title of Best Bathroom in our Readers’ Awards 2009. The bathroom includes an Albert basin and stand teamed with Victorian taps and a reclaimed roll top and is decorated in shades of white and blue to create a light and airy feel.
A touch of elegance: Sara and David Parr created a kitchen to suit the scale of their Victorian vicarage. The couple knocked two reception rooms into one to create a single expansive space; it won Best Room Makeover and Readers’ Choice in our Readers’ Awards 2010
Space solution: Adding a small extension to a dark kitchen has transformed the McFarlanes’ Victorian farmhouse. The family can now dine in style and enjoy the garden come rain or shine.
Christina and Nigel Dickinson’s transformation of a mid-Victorian barn into a light and elegant French-style farmhouse has been achieved with a renovation budget of just £8,000.
Linda Cobbett transformed a derelict Grade II listed Victorian mill and stables into an individual family home. The work involved clearing and making the building safe, as well as the major restoration. Linda's sensitive approach to such a daunting project was inspirational and she allowed all of the original character to remain while bringing a new lease of life to the property.
Seasoned renovator Jennifer Bristow-Smith has completely transformed a tired Victorian house into an appealing home with the air of a colonial retreat. With many projects behind her, Jennifer wasn't afraid to get involved in each stage of the work. A limited budget didn't stop her ambitious plans and the finished house is both functional and elegant with a cool, sophisticated colour scheme.
Alistair and Fiona Erskine have restored and nurtured their 17th century home, which was extended in the Victorian era. With a simple decorating scheme to maximise the natural light, the furnishings do not overshadow the timber-framed house’s architectural features.
David Lewis of chartered surveyors Grillo LLP offers his expert advice on what to look out for when viewing a Victorian property for sale.
Catch of the day Sarah Locke and Stephen Bradshaw’s renovation of this shrimper’s cottage was an early favourite for our Readers’ Choice Award 2011 and in the end scooped the prize.
Jonathan McCree and his wife Claire Gordon used their artistic skills to renovate and decorate this individual Victorian home, creating an eclectic space decorated with bright colours, vintage furniture and handmade items.
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.
