Renovate a period property

Give an old home the love it deserves

If your home’s original features have already been ripped out, such as fireplaces and cornicing, look in auction houses, specialist sites online and reclamation yards for items you can put back in.

Budget wisely. Period renovations are often not as straightforward as new builds, so get a few quotes for each job. If you can afford it, consider employing a project manager. It might save you time and money in the long run.

Use a moodboard. A renovation project can often feel overwhelming. Start a few picture collages and get your ideas down on paper to help you realise your vision.

Be patient and, if you can, live in the space first before you make any big changes. Being in a period home for a length of time allows you to see how the space changes with the seasons and how the light moves around the house.

Be creative with the lighting. Opening up spaces, allowing natural light to flow through the property, or incorporating intelligent light solutions will make any space feel bigger and more welcoming.

Hallway

‘I love the high ceiling in the hallway, and the fact that it’s split level. Going upstairs takes you to the bedrooms and downstairs to the living room. Everything was carpeted here when we moved in, so we took up all the carpets, sanded the floorboards and later stripped all the plasterwork in the hallway to expose the original brickwork. I like the character and texture it adds to the space.’

Garden

Most recently, the couple have given their garden a revamp. ‘It was originally all decking with large unused flowerbeds and a protruding shed in the corner,’ says Claire. ‘We weren’t making the most of the space, so Paddy built a seating area out of brick and wood sleepers. We’re currently in the process of switching over to pebbles instead of grass, as our lawn didn’t work out – it doesn’t get enough sun. I would love to have more time to relax and read out here but for now, life with two little ones is busy!

The couple hacked an IKEA Bestå sideboard unit by replacing the glass front with cane webbing and adding oak legs. The Samsung TV fits in with the carefully curated gallery wall For her office space, Claire has paired an IKEA desk with an Eames-style chair, while a wooden box hides wires

‘ This is where we love to sit and relax on summer evenings, enjoying a glass of wine by the firepit’ A radiator cover doubles as a display shelf while a storage bench and a letter box cage keeps the space tidy Claire painted the floors and stair treads black to contrast with the fresh white walls A white picket fence is the finishing touch to the picture-perfect garden