Living and breathing Victorian interiors, buildings and history
Victorian carpet became more affordable by the end of the 19th century thanks to technical advances. There was a lot of choice depending on the budget available. Most families could afford a machine-made rug for their parlour. See my other blogs on linoleum and Victorian interior style tips mentioning rag rugs to get an insight... Continue Reading →
You probably think of dark painted doors and skirtings when you picture a Victorian interior. However, white painted woodwork became a style statement in the late 19th and early 20th century. Many Victorians painted their bedrooms' woodwork white to complement their lighter decor. White also didn't harbour dirt like darker colours, which was important in... Continue Reading →
Victorian exterior paint styles and colours were very different to today's plethora of white and grey UPVC. Many people also assume that the Victorians only painted their windows and fronts doors in dark colours - including black. This was not the case! Here of my six top tips which dispel the 19th century exterior paint... Continue Reading →
Whether you want to recreate your period house's original feel or add some character, there are a few key ways to bring back the Victorian interior style to your home. There were certain style features that prevailed in most Victorian homes, whether it was a humble cottage or grand country house. Here are 7 tips... Continue Reading →
Have you ever tried dating antiques in your collection or in a junk shop? It can be hard to work out what era an antique or vintage item was made, particularly when there are many fakes and reproduction in the mix! I’ve been into antiques now for 20 years. I’ve made many mistakes and have... Continue Reading →
You may be lucky enough to find old remnants of historic wallpaper in your period house. But how old is it? Historic wallpaper is difficult to date. Fashions go round in circles and styles had many revivals over the centuries. What comes around goes around Dainty floral and striped designs of the early 19th century... Continue Reading →
I’ve recently bought a ‘new’ Victorian brass and iron bed and the experience has been a real eye-opener. These are not rare objects. However, I found sourcing the right antique bed one of the most difficult purchases I’ve ever made! So many old beds are either in poor condition, messed about with or are so... Continue Reading →
Many people assume I live like a Victorian with no modern conveniences like a TV, central heating or a fridge freezer. I couldn’t think of anything worse! It’s cold enough living in a Victorian house with central heating, so I’d hate to survive without it! Beside, life is too short not to make the best... Continue Reading →
Forget the pandemic - 2020 was the year of the Victorian cast iron range for me. I tend to be quite faddish with home restoration projects. On a mission, I decided to pull out both ranges that I installed in 2004/05 in early 2020. Little did I know I would spend the next six months... Continue Reading →
It's all about the design hierarchy in a period house. So if you've ever been tempted to install the same doors and handles throughout your period house - naughty naughty! Ultimately, this is a very modern approach and will reduce the character and authenticity of your period home. A hierarchy of design should be evident... Continue Reading →
Stepping into the National Trust-managed Mr Straw’s House in Worksop is like stepping back to 1923. As previously outlined in my blog post on Victorian and Edwardian houses to visit, this is my favourite such place and I have drawn so much inspiration from its internal features and décor in my own restoration. The house... Continue Reading →
Struggle to find the right antique lighting for your old house? You’re not alone! If you’re like me, you want lighting that’s practical yet faithful to your house’s history. I've discussed the lengths you can go to restoring your home in a previous blog post. I developed a passion for antique lighting when I moved... Continue Reading →
When most of us think of ‘Victorian colours’ browns, darks reds and greens spring to mind, but not blue. Even The Victorian Society's book on 'The Victorian House' (usually very spot on!) said: 'Very few blues are evident in the Victorian colour cards that survive, which suggests that blue was not extensively used in the... Continue Reading →
What comes to mind when you think of a Victorian kitchen? Knick-knicks, dark colours and fussy details? Not something you want in your kitchen, eh? However, whilst this was the case in Victorian living spaces, in domestic areas such as the kitchen this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it was often the... Continue Reading →
'If you can’t afford, fake it' was certainly the mantra of many Victorian homeowners with their love of wood graining and marbling around their home. It’s a design concept that continues to this day. Take a look at the vinyl and laminate flooring available today which are facsimiles of real wood or tiles. This post... Continue Reading →
Restoring an iron fireplace can be a joy. However, there's the dilemma of whether to freshen the fireplace up or strip and black lead it if it's painted. What is black lead I hear you ask? It’s basically a black liquid stove polish that protects the iron against rust and gives the fireplace an even... Continue Reading →
Have you ever regretted a room makeover as soon as you've put the paint tins away as I have during my period house restoration? Yes, we’ve all been there. Sometimes the colour just isn’t what you imagined or it doesn’t suit your room. Over time we also want a change or a different look. I’m... Continue Reading →
Before the luxury of the electric washing machine, our ancestors had to toil away with their washing in a Victorian copper washing boiler. The 'copper' is now very much a thing of the past and most built-in versions were removed during the 20th century when labour saving gas and electric alternatives became available. I’ve recently... Continue Reading →
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