TOP TEN WAYS TO BRING THE CHARACTER BACK TO A PERIOD PROPERTY
There’s something really special about bringing a period property back to life. It’s not about recreating the past, but being sensitive to what’s already there, returning some of the details that have been lost and adding new layers that give the house its soul.
1. REINSTATE THE FIREPLACE
Fireplaces ground a room, connect a house to its history and create a natural focal point. They can be an investment, but I see them as a gift to the house - something that will hopefully remain long after you’ve gone. And with careful tile selection (being mindful of the era of your house) they can even guide the colour scheme.
3. MAKE AN ENTRANCE
The hallway is your first impression of a home so don’t treat it simply as somewhere you pass through. It’s the first opportunity to introduce its character and give a sense of what’s to come.
Bring back the details that belong there - architraves, cornicing, original-style doors and a traditional tiled or mosaic floor - but add personality too, through colour, artwork, lighting and pieces you love.
From the moment you walk through the front door, you should be able to "feel the house".
2. REINTRODUCE STAINED GLASS
Stained glass brings light, atmosphere and character to a building. If the original has been lost, look at what would have been appropriate to the age and style of your property, rather than simply choosing something you like. Done well, it should feel as though it has always been there.
4. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE MOULDINGS
Architraves, cornicing and ceiling roses highlight the bones of a period property, adding definition and detail to the architecture.
Reinstating lost mouldings can completely elevate a room, drawing the eye upwards and bringing back the craftsmanship that would once have been such an important part of the interior.
And don't be timid with ceiling roses - originals were often much larger than people imagine, sometimes around 80cm across in the reception rooms of Victorian and Edwardian houses.
5. BUILD IN SOME HISTORY
Bespoke cabinetry can completely change the way a period room feels. Floor-to-ceiling library shelves, alcove cupboards, window seats or clever storage built into those awkward spaces old houses inevitably have, can make a room feel more grounded and established.
Done well, fitted joinery shouldn't look as though it was added last week. It should feel as though it could have always been there - giving the room a sense of history while making much better use of the space.
Much of my work involves helping homeowners bring character back to period properties while making them work beautifully for modern life. You can find out more about my Full Interior Design service here.
Period properties weren't necessarily designed for the way we live today. Moving an awkward doorway, widening an opening or introducing larger doors to the garden can completely change the way light travels through the house.
Done sensitively, these changes can make rooms feel bigger and brighter, improve views through the house and make the whole interior feel calmer and more connected.
6. BRING IN THE LIGHT
7. CHOOSE NATURAL MATERIALS
Everything we touch contributes to how a home feels. Timber, stone, wool, linen, aged metals and plants bring texture, warmth and those subtle imperfections that make an interior feel less 'done'.
Natural materials also tend to become more beautiful as they age - exactly what you want in a house that's already been around for a century or more.
8. THINK ABOUT THE VIEWS
Don't just think about what's inside the window - think about what you see through it. Even if your house sits on a busy road, clever planting can soften or screen the view and give you something beautiful to see beyond your four walls.
Those glimpses of greenery connect the inside of the house to the outside world, bringing nature into your home and adding another layer of life.
9. MIX OLD WITH NEW
A period home doesn't need to become a museum. Mixing antiques and vintage finds with contemporary furniture, art and lighting creates a home that feels collected rather than recreated. The same goes for the building itself – uneven walls, worn floorboards, aged brass and the occasional awkward corner are all part of its history. It’s this mix of different eras, along with a few quirks, that gives a home character and makes it feel as though it has evolved naturally over time.
10. MAKE IT PERSONAL
This is the part people often underestimate. You can restore every original feature and choose all the right materials, but a home can still feel soulless if it doesn't say anything about the people who live there.
Bring in the things you love - your art, books, collections, inherited pieces, favourite colours and slightly eccentric finds. Don't worry too much about whether everything is 'right'.
The magic ingredient is you!
Planning a period-property renovation?
If you'd like help bringing character back to your home while making it work beautifully for the way you live, discover my interior design services.
HOW TO CHOOSE LIGHTING FOR A VICTORIAN OR EDWARDIAN HOME
Lighting is the jewellery of an interior.
It brings the sparkle, the glow, the magic.
You can have the most beautiful décor in the world, but if the lighting is wrong, you'll never feel invited in and want to stay.
And for me, that's what a home should do.
Period houses, with their beautiful proportions, decorative plasterwork and original features, offer wonderful opportunities for lighting. But even the loveliest room won't work with the wrong lights.
Here are a few things I always consider when choosing lighting for a period property (or any home really...)
1. LAYER YOUR LIGHTING
I love chandeliers, but I wouldn't rely on one to light an entire room.
Instead, think about different pools of light. A table lamp beside the sofa, a floor lamp next to your favourite reading chair, wall lights casting a soft glow.
I particularly love seeing a lamp glowing in a room as you walk past - it makes you want to wander in!
Of course, you need brighter lighting for practical things, but in the evenings, I want rooms to feel soft, warm and cosy.
Having several light sources brings flexibility and allows you to use the space in different ways.
2. CELEBRATE THOSE BEAUTIFUL CEILINGS
If you're lucky enough to have original cornicing and ceiling roses, make the most of them (and if you don’t, you can always reinstate them!)
A beautiful chandelier can look wonderful against decorative Victorian plasterwork, but it doesn't have to be from the same period as the house, as it's not an architectural feature.
Mid-century, quirky colourful glass, interesting sculptural shapes - there are so many possibilities. The important thing is finding something that really resonates with you.
There's no point choosing a chandelier covered in little birds if what you actually love is a bold, Cubist-inspired design!
It's about discovering what you're drawn to, rather than what you think should belong in your property.
But whatever you choose, proportions are everything. Consider the dimensions of the room, the ceiling height and the size and drop of the fitting. Too small and it can look lost; too large and it can overwhelm the space.
You want something that feels just right, both for the room and for the person living in it - and make sure it's not hanging so low that someone will walk into it!
3. THINK BEYOND SPOTLIGHTS
Recessed spotlights have become such a common feature in renovated Victorian and Edwardian homes, but consider other options before installing them.
In rooms with beautiful cornicing and ceiling roses, decorative lighting can really enhance the architecture.
Pendants, wall lights and lamps create lovely pools of light that make a room feel warm and atmospheric.
Of course, practical lighting is important too. Kitchens need good directional light over worktops and in bathrooms with lower ceilings, dimmable downlights can sometimes be a sensible solution.
But there are often other ways to achieve the lighting you need, while bringing a little more character into the room.
It's simply about thinking beyond the obvious and considering how you want the space to look and feel, both during the day and in the evening.
4. MIX IT UP
A Victorian house definitely doesn't need Victorian lighting throughout!
There's such a wonderful choice available, from contemporary lighting brands and independent makers creating beautiful bespoke pieces, to mid-century Italian chandeliers, Art Deco wall lights and colourful Murano glass creations.
I love mixing lighting from different periods. A contemporary handmade pendant can look wonderful alongside antique furniture, just as a fabulous vintage chandelier can bring something unexpected to a more modern room.
And don't overlook wall lights! They're brilliant for creating atmosphere, particularly with fabric shades that give off a lovely soft glow.
Nothing needs to match, either. It's about choosing pieces you love that sit happily together, rather than buying everything from the same collection.
Just be aware that if you're buying vintage or antique lighting, make sure it's been checked and rewired where necessary by a qualified electrician.
5. GET THE BULBS AND DIMMER RIGHT
You can spend a fortune on beautiful light fittings, but put the wrong bulbs in them and the atmosphere's gone!
I love that lovely, warm, almost vintage quality of light that makes a room feel inviting and brings out all the beautiful colours and textures within it.
For sitting rooms and bedrooms, I generally choose warm white bulbs, around 2700K, sometimes warmer for a particularly soft, candlelit glow, but it really depends on the project, the natural light available and how it all works in situ.
Look for good colour rendering, ideally a CRI of 90 or above, so your carefully chosen colours and fabrics look as they should.
And dimmers are essential - but not all dimmers are created equal!
I want to be able to take a room from beautifully illuminated to the softest little glow and it's so frustrating when the lights only dim halfway before flickering or switching off!
Invest in good-quality dimmers, making sure they're compatible with your bulbs, so you can lower the lighting smoothly to very low levels. Ideally, checking this before everything is installed.
6. DON'T OVERLOOK THE SWITCHES THEMSELVES
I've always felt that everything you touch in your home has the ability to lift your spirits, even in the smallest way.
The weight of a beautiful door handle, the feel of a well-made tap, the satisfying click of a light switch.
These are things we interact with every day, so why shouldn't they be a pleasure to use?
I love beautifully made switches in period homes, but it's not just about how they look. It's how they feel.
And if your hallway lights aren't going to be on dimmers, have a look at those gorgeous dolly or toggle switches - there's something so satisfying about that little click!
7. PLAN AHEAD BUT CHOOSE WHAT YOU LOVE
If you're renovating, plan your lighting before decorating. Think about furniture placement and where you'll need lamps, wall lights and pendants, so sockets, switches and circuits are in the right places from the start.
But above all, choose lighting you really love. It needn't cost a fortune - a vintage lamp with a gorgeous shade can be every bit as special as an expensive designer piece.
I'm incredibly fussy and can spend ages searching for just the right piece! That search inspired The Jewel Collection, my lampshade collaboration with Tinker & Tallulah, combining vintage shapes with contemporary colourways.
But it's not just about the lights themselves, it's what they illuminate - the glow of brass, the richness of walnut, the colours in your favourite artwork or rug. All those carefully chosen things take on a different character as the light changes, so think about WHAT you're illuminating, not just how.
