As domestic dwellings have evolved over time, each era is notable by its own particular style, from the graceful high ceilings of Georgian homes to the Edwardian penchant for parquet. Many of these period features remain in homes up and down the country, in varying states of repair. Some are hiding under layers of paint and ad-hoc boxing in, many are taken for granted, while others have sadly been ripped out altogether. But whether you live in a Victorian terrace or a modern new-build, period features can be brought to life or installed to give maximum impact and depth to a space. Here are some of the most favoured features to refine your home.

Fireplaces

There’s no beating a fireplace and surround in a main living room – it gives the space a focal point and anchor. The Victorians had a fireplace in every room, which were first made from marble or slate, but later cast iron, with colourful tiles inset on either side. So if you live in a home from this era it’s likely that a fireplace will remain at least in the sitting room, hiding behind plasterboard in the bedrooms, or sometimes in a hallway too. Homes from other periods would also have had a fireplace – you may be lucky and discover a large inglenook or an art deco piece. If you live in a period home and the fireplaces are missing, very carefully check behind an existing modern fireplace or boarded up chimney breast. You could reveal a gem.

But don’t take a sledgehammer to the wall without first checking that there’s likely to be a fireplace behind it. Do this by either knocking on the wall (a hollow sound suggests there is space behind it, which could indicate a fireplace), checking your survey, which may indicate where fireplaces once were, or if the chimney remains in place count the number of flues, which will correspond with the number of fireplaces.

If the fireplace has been removed, or you’re in a modern home and want to add a focal point to a room, consider installing a period fire surround. Received wisdom has it that you should match the piece to the home’s era, but if you find something that you love, and it fits the proportions of the room and the rest of your scheme, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have, say, a Georgian fireplace in a mid-century home.

If this is purely for decoration, then a competent DIYer could do the job. But if it’s a working fireplace you’re after, then it’s vital to consult an expert to ensure that the chimney is clean and unblocked. Poorly maintained old chimneys and fireplaces can produce carbon monoxide, so don’t be tempted to light a fire without being given the all-clear. Also check that you’re permitted to burn solid fuel in your area; eco, smokeless fuel is best.

Top tips

• Once you uncover a fireplace it’s quite likely to be messy, so keep in mind that you’ll need to clean it out, repoint brickwork or install a chimney balloon (if you’re not going to light a fire) to eliminate draughts
• Ensure that a working fireplace is kept clean and the chimney regularly swept
• For a decorative period fireplace, add fireside tools, lights in the grate and a seasonal mantel display for a year-round focal point

Ceiling treatments

Cornicing and ceiling roses add elegance to a room and can turn any space from bland to beautiful. Plaster mouldings have been used throughout ancient history and classical architecture, and many pre-Victorian mouldings in domestic homes were copied from historical examples, with decorative plasterwork used to indicate social hierarchy.

Most period homes will retain their original cornicing – used to disguise where the walls and ceiling meet – although layers of paint could mean it’s not looking the best. If this is the case, a paint-stripping job (always check paint stripper on a small area first) may be in order to reveal the finer details. If the ceiling treatments are damaged – or the ceiling rose is missing – they’re well worth replacing. In this case, it’s better to choose pieces to match the era of your home: so a Victorian terrace will need a simpler, less ornate treatment than a large Georgian property. Also, try to ensure that both the cornice and the rose are from the same period, otherwise they could jar against each other.

You can put up a ceiling rose by drilling into the ceiling with plaster screws and securing it with cornice glue, but rewiring the light back in should be done by a qualified electrician. Adding cornicing to a modern home, or replacing old plasterwork, is a much larger job and will require an experienced builder.

Traditionally ceilings, including plaster mouldings, were painted white. Now, though, everything from inky blue to pink can add impact to a space. Painting the wall a dark colour and the cornice and ceiling a pale hue creates a dramatic effect and makes the ceiling look higher. Or, choose your wall and ceiling colour and pick out the cornicing in a tone in-between for a graduating effect.

Top tips

• Ceiling roses come in a huge number of styles, from pared-back and diminutive to large and ornate. Generally speaking, the higher the ceiling, the more elaborate you can go with
  the rose
• If your roses have been removed, it’s worth asking a neighbour with a similar-era home to see their ceiling treatments, to give you an idea of what was originally installed

Dado and picture rails

These simple additions really enhance a room and instantly add character. Picture rails first became common around the early 1800s and were mounted either about 40cm below the ceiling cornice, or at the same height as the top of the windows or doors. Dado rails originally came about in the Georgian era, when dining chairs were put away from the table when not in use. The wooden dado rail, fixed at around 120cm from the floor, was to protect the wall from being knocked by furniture. Today, while we tend not to use picture rails for our wall art and dado rails serve no practical purpose, both are good ways to make a decorative statement and provide opportunities to use bold colour, wallpaper or panelling either above or below them.

Consider fixing dado rails slightly lower than they would have been originally, as this makes the ceiling look higher. Take your guide from the ceiling height – there’s no set rule, but if you live in a period property and the dado has been removed, then look for bumps in the plasterwork.

Picture and dado rails are simple to glue on with something like No More Nails, but bear in mind that it’s a very precise job that’s hard to rectify if you find your lines aren’t straight.

Pick out your dado or picture rail in white or an accent colour to draw a line between, say, paint and wallpaper, or paint the rails in the same colour as the wall for a contemporary look.

Top tips

• A room with a dado rail requires a lower skirting board
• Choose between a picture or dado rail for a lower-ceilinged room; having both can make it look cluttered

The post The essential guide to period features appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

Finding a cheap, derelict repossession to renovate has not only been a financial necessity for me as a self-employed architect, but I’m also drawn to a building that is both a blank canvas and a window into history. I’ve renovated four properties, from abandoned underground toilets to an early Georgian house just outside Glasgow, and have lived on-site throughout the renovation for most of them.

What to look for in a property

I always look for something special in a renovation, and ceiling height is a great place to start. It’s key to look past any old-fashioned decor and the off-putting smell of damp, to the bones of the house, although it’s sometimes hard to see the potential in spaces where many original features have been stripped out. If there are no glorious period covings or panelled doors under the thick layers of dust, then concentrate on the proportions of the room and work out where the sun comes in.

Plan a detailed budget

Working out a budget can be incredibly tricky with a renovation, but don’t panic. Doing as much research into any potential project is essential to mitigate the risks. Keep a spreadsheet that covers every element of the build with anticipated costs and actual costs, so you can keep an eye on overspends and savings. Any house that has been derelict for two years or more (or converting from non-residential into a home) can benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 5% for building work and materials.

Seek professional advice

A structural engineer is a must when renovating an old property. Your builder may be able to recommend one or search the Institute of Structural Engineers. I always engage a structural engineer to carry out a preliminary visit with me to get invaluable insight into how the house is built, the location and condition of load-bearing walls and to check out any roof timbers and ridge beams.

Check for damp

A smell of damp can be a strong indicator of what lies beneath. Don’t be afraid to lift the corners of carpet to check for any tell-tale signs of damp and rot – but you just might find some beautiful original flooring too! If damp or rot is suspected, then always get a written assessment by a specialist company or two from the outset – but also do your own independent research.

Save on windows

Replacing all the windows in one go can be a huge expense. Find a local window maker to give you advice on refurbishment.

Salvage and reuse

Elements such as flooring can be in much better condition than expected, having been protected for decades under layers of carpet, while original stripped-back plaster can look stunning with a simple coat of varnish, saving you hundreds of pounds on new plaster and decoration. Reusing old cupboard doors and ironmongery is a great way to make cost savings and retain the home’s character too.

The post Expert tips for renovating an old property appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

My architectural passion has been focused on tackling problem spaces, extending, remodelling houses and flats, and building new homes. I’ve worked with hundreds of homeowners at various stages in their design journey and, in a lot of cases, plans have previously been drawn up or even submitted for planning permission. Yet there is often a deep dissatisfaction with the finished design. For many, finding the language to communicate their wants and needs is problematic. Homeowners can end up feeling unable to have a constructive discussion with their architect, architectural technician or builder.

I want homeowners to have a sense of control and more of a say in how they want to live – and for their homes to reflect that. If you’re fighting each day to find your coat, or are unable to cook dinner because you need to finish the laundry first, then you’re not winning. And your home isn’t working for you, but against.

I decided to tackle this issue head on and I have published a book that seeks to give you the ability to confidently communicate your needs and vision for your home design. The Handbook of Home Design is a step-by-step guide to my personal architectural design process, insight, ideas and inspiration. It’s as if I’m there with you, like a little architect on your shoulder.

From how to read and draw a plan to establishing and creating your brief, I guide you through the design concepts that will help you achieve your dream home. I show how to identify problem areas and pinch points in your home, and explain the discussions you should have with your design team and builder to allow you to be in control of your project from start to finish.

Armed with both an in-depth and unique knowledge of your home, combined with new drawing skills, I then explore design ideas and proposals to translate your brief and the fabric of your existing property into a home that is tailormade for you.

By giving a deep insight into my thought process, I’m seeking to democratise the whole concept of residential architectural design. The Handbook of Home Design gives you the tools to identify and communicate what’s really important to you, build your confidence and become the most important part of the creative process and the build. It is your home, after all.

The post How to get the most from your home redesign appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

For me, breathing life into architecture and design is about creating a destination, an escape from the norm.

I’ve never met a single child, or adult for that matter, who can resist the miniaturised proportions of a playhouse. If you break down what makes these spaces so appealing, I think it’s about a sense of containment, no wasted space, and the ability to imagine your own world within. Playing around with standard dimensions and the form of elements such as mezzanine levels and staircases can open up exciting possibilities and opportunities. Where you are looking to create a simple bedspace, cosy reading nook or cinema room, for example, you only really need height to sit up and the width to sit side by side. Think about the area you physically require when you are curled up engrossed in a book or film, either together or alone, and where you can carve out that minimal space in your existing layout.

Tiny reading nook hammock – The smallest of spaces can be a little escape. This outdoor hammock works brilliantly as a reading nook with the morning light flooding in

Materials and textures will create the feel you want and reflect the function of your space, whether that’s a tiny library, a snoozing spot or a toy emporium. By using fabrics such as draped velvet and padded upholstery, not only can you bring a sense of theatre to your design, but the softening effect will greatly enhance the sound quality within.

Where accessibility is not an issue, then channel your inner child when thinking about how to link zones and areas within your design.

Picture yourself, or the young people in your family, shimmying up a rope ladder or climbing wall, slipping down a slide or pole rather than opting for a traditional staircase.

Simple twists on conventional doorways can be much more than gimmicky additions to your home. I use hidden doors a lot in my designs, whether it’s creating a surprise larder or utility room behind what seems like a conventional cupboard, or seamlessly blending the wall design across the door surface to conceal it within.

Hidden Door as picture – Rather than looking a garage door, the access to the back of the house has been disguised with an oversized picture frame.

Hallways too can sometimes feel a bit like an enclosure of endless doors, but by concealing one or two of them this can help reduce that ‘doory’ look. Disguising standard doors with huge, oversized picture frames or a mirror is a cost effective and less involved way to hide them away than an opening faux bookshelf.  These features create focus and interest where there was none, and I love the idea that a simple trip to the loo becomes a bit of an event when you or your guests have to step through to the other side.

Extroverted design doesn’t just need to exist on the surface level. When you combine decoration and style with your unique needs and eccentricities, interiors and architecture come together to create exciting areas.

These playful places to physically escape to or even give just a little bit of breathing space can be a wonderous addition to your home, especially at this time of year.

Read more of Laura’s article inside each issue of Reclaim – Click here to browse our back catalogue

Words and Image Credit: Laura Jane Clark

The post How to put the fun back into your home design appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.