Top Ten Ways to Bring the Soul 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".
5. Build in some history
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.
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.
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.
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!