Renovation INSPIRATION

Frances Bennett’s five top tips for mixing old and new

USE RECLAIMED MATERIALS and architectural salvage to marry ancient and modern.

SAVE PAINT from previous work – it’s not only great for retouching but also useful for special projects.

LINK DIFFERENT ELEMENTS in a room with colour. It can help pieces from various periods sit happily together.

MAKE NEW PROJECTS SYMPATHETIC to the building’s style and period – like John’s carpentry for fielded panel cupboards, doors and panelling.

INTRODUCE CONTEMPORARY STYLE The open-plan extension allowed us to do this. But retaining traditional elements and the old stone wall helped anchor the space in its context.