Carrying out renovation work is an important part of putting your own stamp on a building and making a house a home. If you are lucky enough to have bought a Victorian property, you may find it necessary to modernize certain elements or tweak them to be more in line with your own tastes. However, it is also important that any renovations are sympathetic to the property to avoid losing stunning Victorian features and the property’s originality. Here are some renovation tips to keep in mind when working on your Victorian property.
Fireplaces
Central heating is only a relatively recent invention, having become the norm in homes from the 1980s onwards. Before then, houses were built with a fireplace in every room to provide warmth. Victorian fireplaces provide your home with a distinctive and beautiful original feature. If you are planning on using them as a functional fire, make sure that your chimney is safe to use according to fire regulations; alternatively, you can simply keep your fireplace as an eye-catching centerpiece. Look for antique fireplaces to replace any originals that were ripped out by previous owners; there are several period-accurate styles to choose from, such as tiled grates and cast iron arched grates.
Hallway tiles
Hallway tiles exploded in popularity in the late Victorian era. Large-scale factory reproduction provided the middle classes with affordable and high-quality tiles with which to decorate their floors. Colorful ceramic tiles laid out in intricate geometric designs and repeated patterns, they were favored for being hygienic and decorative, and if well-maintained can last decades. Many homes from this era still have their original tiles, so you could be in for a nice surprise when you take up your grubby hallway carpet. Alternatively, look for reproduction Victorian floor tiles for hard-wearing, practical and attractive flooring for your hallway.
Wallpaper
Victorian wallpaper was characterized as being highly decorative, featuring busy floral and botanical patterns, and even embossed designs. These designs can understandably be too overpowering for modern tastes; however, there are ways to introduce an element of Victorian wallpaper designs into your home without it becoming claustrophobic. You could, for instance, cover a statement wall in embossed Anaglypta or an Art Nouveau style wallpaper design, and paint the remaining walls in a pared-back block color for a modern update of Victorian wall coverings.
Blinds and curtains
Privacy was hugely important to the Victorians, and as such, they came up with attractive and functional window coverings that shielded the home from prying eyes while providing the maximum amount of sunlight. Window shutters are period-accurate and can be adjusted for different sunlight levels throughout the day. Alternatively, look for roman blinds with a bright art nouveau print for a modern take on Victorian window coverings. Lace curtains also provide a sense of privacy for public-facing windows; look for 100% cotton lace that can be dyed a bright color for a modern update on the look.
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