Tips For Renovating A Victorian House

With soaring ceilings, gorgeous mouldings, and decorative woodwork, as well as a plethora of interesting and alluring details, anyone who is renovating a Victorian property will not need to be convinced of the character and charm of a period home.

Renovating a period property is a popular option for many, in place of buying a more modern home that does not need any work undertaking, but renovation is not without challenges, and the layouts of these houses may not be suitable for everyone.

We have a look at some ideas for renovating a Victorian house to make the best of the property.

Remove Internal Walls

One issue that many owners of Victorian homes have is that the layout of the property can feel like a rabbit warren. Many homeowners now prefer to prioritise an easy flow, natural light and an open, spacious feel. 

Consider the existing layout, and consider removing internal walls that carve up spaces that would work better as one larger space. A common renovation in Victorian properties is to remove the wall that separates the kitchen from the dining space to create a larger kitchen diner.

Open up the Staircase

It is common for staircases in Victorian houses to have walls on either side, boxing them in and making them feel claustrophobic and dark. Consider opening up the staircase by taking out a wall, either to one or both sides, to create a more open, brighter feel.

Replace Missing Original Features

Original period features are highly desirable, but in many cases, they have been long missing. You can seek out replacements at reclamation or salvage yards, or find experts in period features, such as plaster and mouldings to help recreate features.

If you’re looking for experts in lath & plaster in London, talk to us today.

Listed Building Request To Save Iconic Art Deco House In Rhos-on-Sea

An attempt to preserve a historic art deco house in Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales from being demolished to make way for a controversial housing project has been rejected by the Welsh heritage board.

Despite a petition and calls from Baroness Joan Blackwell and writer and presenter Griff Rhys-Jones OBE to save 57 Marine Drive and its history, Cadw, the Welsh board in charge of historic buildings and structures, have rejected a request to have the property listed.

One of the biggest reasons for this rejection, a blow to plans for listed building restoration of the property, is that whilst it was believed that the much-loved property was constructed by famous architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes, Cadw claims there is no evidence he designed 57 Marine Drive.

Mr Foulkes, primarily known for public housing developments, cinemas and the famous chapel of Rhos-on-Sea after the Second World War, had designed some private housing projects such as Wren’s Nest in Colwyn Bay, was believed to have been the designer behind the distinctive property.

However, Cadw instead believes that William Evans, a local contractor who bought the plot of land in 1935 and then sold the house to a Mrs Royle, a widow who originally lived in Irlam, Salford, Greater Manchester.

This makes the contribution to architectural history more locally significant than national, according to Cadw.

As well as this, the assessment found that the substantial changes to the buildings detracted from its art-deco character. This includes the division of the building into two separate flats in the 1960s, the replacement of the doors and windows with standard uPVC and the creation of a porch in 1994.

According to Cadw, the only original details left are the internal doors, the timber stairs and hallway tiling, as well as a damaged original bathroom.

This story highlights the difficulties in acquiring listed building status and the effects restorations that do not have the original character of the building at the forefront can have on a structure.

Why Staying In Makes Home Décor More Important

It’s around this time every year that some of the most nerdish stats of all come out relating to rail travel, but this year they are very relevant for those who have been spending more time at home in the pandemic.

A large proportion of people living in parts of London like Croydon will have been working from home more, or all the time, and will not be surprised to read that passenger numbers are down in the capital and across the UK.

The 2020-21 passenger number figures produced by the Office for Rail and Road did still identify London as having the UK’s busiest station - although Stratford has taken this title away from Waterloo - but showed that across the UK passenger entries to stations dropped by 78 per cent. In Waterloo the decline was from 86.9 million in 2019-20 to 12.2 million.

Since people are spending less time commuting and more working from home, décor matters more than ever. What better reason for cornice restoration in London than wanting to live and work in a more pleasant and well-maintained home environment, with the plasterwork in the best condition?

Restoring and maintaining classic features of an older home might seem at odds with redecorating or redesigning the interior. But those forecasting interiors trends for 2022 might suggest otherwise, with the focus not on ditching tradition but on using the floor space better.

For example, Architecture Lab suggests establishing a clear workspace will be a common feature of homes in 2022 as home working becomes the ‘new normal’, whatever the course of the pandemic over the coming year.

Kate Wiltshire Design offered a slightly different idea, predicting more open-plan living, which could make the exact location where work takes place the subject of more flexibility and choice.

Whatever turns out to be the dominant trends of interiors next year, however, it is likely that people will be paying more attention to it, as they continue to spend a lot more time in their home than on the train.

The Origins Of The Listed Building System

How many listed buildings exist in the UK?

Amazingly enough, there is no actual answer to this, as even Heritage ngland has noted that whilst there are 500,000 entries on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), many of them cover multiple rows of houses, and others cover specific parts of one notable graded building.

The system, which affects the types of listed building restoration projects that can take place to maintain the particular special character of a structure, has three grades depending on the level of importance:

Grade I buildings, which are often major landmarks or historically critical buildings.

Grade II* buildings, which are of especially important interest

Grade II buildings, which have important historical characters and make up the majority of the list.

The earliest foundations of a greater focus on preservation came about with the works of John Ruskin and William Morris with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Whilst concerns about the preservation of architecture were not new, and in fact, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, one of the most successful and acclaimed novels in history had preservation as its central theme, SPAB was one of the earliest groups to take action to help protect the character of old buildings.

Mr Morris, in particular, advocated for the repair of buildings rather than an idealised reconstruction of an old building as it was in a previous age, which he saw as destroying its history.

It would take until the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1944 and 1947 for the listing system to take shape, as a result of concerns about the cultural heritage of many cities that had been lost due to the Blitz.

Since then, several changes to the philosophy, listing criteria and transparency about the list itself and its guidelines have formed, and a growing number of people have had their say about what buildings should be preserved as living pieces of history.

What Do You Need To Know Before Restoring A Listed Building?

Restoring or repairing a listed building in the UK can be a complex and lengthy process. The rules and regulations are all there for a good reason, to preserve the historic integrity of the building and the surrounding area, but it can seem like a minefield to navigate. Here’s a brief overview of the process.

Why do listed buildings have different grades?

Listed buildings are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Historic England explains that Grade I is for buildings of the highest architectural or historical interest, and is just 2.5% of all listed buildings. Grade II* is for buildings of more than special interest; 5.8% have been awarded this status.

The majority (92%) of listed buildings are Grade II. All listed buildings, wrecks, monuments, parks, and gardens, can be looked up on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). All buildings built before 1700, which retain some or all of their original features, are likely to be listed, along with many from 1750-1800.

What does the listed status mean for an owner?

The listed status means that there are regulations over what changes can be made to the exterior and interior of the buildings. Owners will need to apply for Listed Building Consent before most types of work are carried out on the property.

The listing is not a preservation order designed to freeze the building in time, but any work should be sympathetic to its original character and materials. It is not impossible to alter or extend a listed building, if the correct procedures are followed.

The interior of the building is likely to boast some fine original features, and these are quite rightly protected by law. Certainly, any changes to finely detailed fireplaces, windows, internal walls, stone work, cornices, and plastering, should not take place until official permission has been granted.

If you need help with listed building restoration, talk to us today.

Kitchen Updates To Get Done Before Christmas

With Christmas rapidly approaching, you may be considering getting the house ready for the festive season so you can greet family and friends for food, drinks, and swapping presents. But with the big day only a matter of weeks away, it’s unlikely you will have time for any major renovations.

A gorgeous period home can’t be renovated in a rush, and major projects such as new kitchens can take months to plan properly. However, you can make some changes to the kitchen that are fairly hassle-free and need relatively little investment.

The kitchen is usually the heart of the home and the busiest room in the house, and none more so than at Christmas, with every countertop, sink, and hob in use while cooking up a feast for your family. We have a look at five quick kitchen updates to get done before Christmas.

Switch up your lighting

This simple refresh can instantly update the feel of the apse in the kitchen, and make it much easier to work in. Consider adding a row of metallic pendant lights over the kitchen island, or spotlights or under cabinet lighting to illuminate food preparation areas.

Declutter

Even the most organised of people will find that kitchen cupboards can become cluttered, particularly as you stock up for Christmas. Sort through your pantry and cupboards, replace out of date spices and herbs, and check cookware is all in good working order.

Change up your splashback

If you don’t feel comfortable tiling, then look at self-adhesive splashbacks made from toughened glass to add a decorative element to the sink area. They’re durable and strong, and easy to install.

Install new hardware

Updating the handles and knobs on cupboards or drawers or changing your taps can make a huge impact for little investment.

Paint your kitchen cabinets

Change up your colour palette without the time and expense of a whole new installation by using chalk paint.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration for larger jobs then talk to us today.

£750k Grant To Restore Iconic Victorian Gothic Building In Leicester

A Grade II* listed building in Leicester is in line for a £750k grant to help save it from falling into disrepair, the City Council website reports. The former bank is currently the home of The ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), but the historic building is currently in a poor state of repair, and is on the Buildings at Risk register.

The landmark building was designed by the architect Joseph Goddard, and was constructed in 1874. The red brick and Portland stone exterior is matched by a beautiful interior, which is now threatened by a leaking roof. Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) have agreed to help finance the listed building restoration work.

Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Having visited this building to see the extent of the work needed, it was clear that the damage to the roof was far worse than anticipated, and the costs of repair higher than anyone first thought.”

He added: “Historic England have increased our grant to enable us to fund the work needed, rather than allowing further damage to be caused to this important local landmark. We have a duty to take care of the city’s historic buildings to ensure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy.”

The ISKCON have also raised £350k towards the cost of the repairs, which are due to begin shortly. The ceiling will be repaired with lime plaster, once the rotten roof timbers and Georgian glazing in the roof lantern have been replaced. Any materials that are still in reasonable condition will be reused to preserve the character of the building.

The elaborate interior also features pillars which are hand-carved with individual friezes, and each corbel stone is decorated with a different coat of arms, the ISKCON website explains. The clock in the banking hall was made by the same company that made Big Ben, Dent’s of Southwark, reflecting the past importance and status of this unique building.

London’s Finest Ceilings

If you need plasterwork in London, you can be sure not just of getting a professional job that can restore your plaster walls, cornices and ceilings to their best state; we also approach the task with the inspiration that comes from some of the capital’s finest architectural traditions.

There are many ways in which the architecture of London can inspire, which is not surprising given its diversity. Whether it is the awesome height of towers like the Shard, the history of Hampton Court Palace or the splendour of the stucco-plaster covered Regency era buildings in the inner western areas, there is much to impress and draw ideas from.

The same applies inside. There are many fine ceilings and some truly great ones.

Among the best of these are historic ecclesiastical buildings such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the ‘hidden gem’ of St Mary Aldermary nearby, civic structures like the Palace of Westminster, the Supreme Court and Woolwich Town Hall, hotels like the St Pancras Renaissance and many more.

Others include the Royal Naval College, Leadenhall Market, Osterley House, Tate Britain and Kenwood House Library, and this list could easily expand to feature many more.

Of course, there will always be differing opinions on what the best are and designs vary, from the oak beams of many older buildings to the ornate decorated plaster fresco paintings in others. 

Nonetheless, what these great ceilings do is provide great focal points in the interiors of these buildings, showing just how important each and every level of a building can be in creating a beautiful impression.

It is this attention to design that inspires us, and while your own home may not have the space, high ceilings or accompanying ornaments or artworks that these grand London buildings have, the use of skilled craftsmanship can still help maintain and restore a stylish and beautiful look.