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5 Design Trends for Your Period Home

By PeriodExtensions,

As we enter a new year, we’re seeing a host of new styles and trends pop up across home design. While some of these styles may be fleeting fads, there are a number of enduring trends that we believe will stand the test of time. These are the design styles that are perfect for incorporating into a period home renovation or extension.

When renovating a period home, the focus should be on achieving a happy balance of heritage design features and modern elements. This approach allows you to pay homage to your home’s period charm, while achieving a functional design that supports every day living.

Keep reading to learn how you can incorporate five of the top design styles into your period home.

1. Curves and Arches

 

 Soft curves and architectural arches are set to be big in 2024. When used correctly, this style can add a touch of softness to your home, while beautifully framing prominent elements of your design. This trend has been popular on and off over the years, which means many period homes already feature curves and arches that simply need a little love.

Depending on the era of your home, you might look to restore arched hallways or architraves or create rounded walkways between living spaces. You could then incorporate arched windows in a modern extension to tie the style together through the home. Design-wise, you could opt for a curved benchtop in the kitchen, arched mirrors in the bathroom or soft sculpted furniture in the living area.

2. Sustainable Choices

 

Sustainability and circular design practices continue to dominate architecture and design. As this trend evolves, the focus is shifting to conscious selections, waste reduction and quality over price. One way you could choose to apply this trend into a period renovation is by reusing heritage features from your existing home. For example, stained glass windows could be repurposed and moved from a cramped hallway into the bathroom or original timber beams could be restored and turned into a bespoke furniture piece.

Rather than repurposing materials, you might choose to lovingly restore existing elements like wood-panelled kitchen joinery. With a sander and a few coats of paint, you can transform your existing cabinetry while retaining the heritage style of your period kitchen.

3. Biophilic Design

 

Biophilic design, or design that brings the outdoors in, is a great way to create a calming and restorative feel in the home. Whether you’re increasing natural light, adding plants to your indoor living spaces or utilising natural materials like wood or stone, you’ll find biophilic design boosts your mood, sparks creativity and reduces stress.

A vertical garden is one of the best ways to achieve a biophilic home design. Not only does this add an eye-catching splash of colour, it’s a great way to improve air quality and even reduce noise. Alternatively, you might opt for a heritage-style water feature in the hallway to add a spa-like quality to your home or employ a heritage colour palette of muted greens, soft blues and earthy browns to remind you of the outdoors.

4. Smart Technology

 

 The smart home revolution isn’t showing any signs of slowing down and if you haven’t embraced this technology yet, 2024 is the time to do so! Of course, when working with a period style, you need to be wary that smart technology doesn’t take away from your home’s heritage charm.

Start simple – change the lightbulbs in your statement chandelier to smart bulbs so you can control them remotely or via voice activation. You could also invest in custom-built joinery that houses modern appliances. Having televisions, microwaves, kettles and speaker systems built into remote-controlled cabinetry will help you achieve a heritage look while retaining all your modern comforts.

5. Natural Light

 

 Natural light never goes out of style, but with a greater focus on biophilic design and integrated indoor-outdoor living, it’s never been more important. Many period homes are dark and closed concept, but with a clever renovation or extension, you can add an abundance of natural light to make your home feel brighter, warmer and more welcoming.

Maximise natural light by opting for an open-floor plan and merging your kitchen, living and dining areas. Rather than fixed doors, have open, arched walkways or sliding doors that can be fully opened or closed. Within modern extensions, large windows will help to encourage natural light, while skylights add warmth and light to internal spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms.

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At Period Extensions & Designs, our skilled Design and Build team is ready to transform your home with expertise in incorporating various design styles into your period home. Reach out to us today to embark on your home transformation journey.

old style couch
CategoriesInterior Design

What You Should Know About Mixing Modern and Traditional Furniture

By Period Extensions Team,

A lot of people think renovating a period home comes with the expectation that everything from the colour palette to the furniture must be kept within the era in order to look authentic. But as there are so many modern comforts that we have gotten so used to, it’s hard to say goodbye to them in a period home.

Aside from this, purchasing traditional antique furniture can be extremely expensive, so it’s completely understandable that you’ll want to opt for some modern pieces that are kinder on the pocket. Before you start your furniture shopping spree, we wanted to share with you a few pointers to keep in mind.

Don’t take away from the period home aesthetic

After renovating your period home, using only modern furniture could be a mistake, and will only mean that the hard work, time and money you have put in has gone to waste. If you do want to have some modern comforts, make sure that you include some traditional pieces as well that tie in with your interior design.

Keep an eye on the balance

When mixing modern and traditional furniture, you’ll want to ensure that there is a good balance throughout the house. Rather than some rooms being only modern or only traditional, keep a mix of the two in every room so that your style is consistent.

Visitors should be drawn to traditional rather than modern pieces

Every room has a furniture centrepiece, and it’s a good idea to keep that piece traditional so that people are drawn to it when they first walk into a room and can appreciate the period design.

Choosing the bed for your bedroom should be in line with the appropriate era; e.g. a four-poster bed in a Georgian home, or a cast-iron bed in a Victorian home. Alternatively, you can use smaller modern pieces in your living areas such as coffee or side tables.

old style couch

Look for new furniture with a vintage design

This is a great tip for those that are working to a budget and who find that antique furniture is well beyond their means. There are many furniture designers that make replica antique pieces which look very similar to traditional furniture, but at a better price. Do some research on common furniture from the era of your home and you’ll no doubt be able to track down brand new furniture from an Australian boutique designer.

Choose furniture made from the same materials

Often a great way to get away with mixing modern and traditional furniture is by selecting pieces made from the same wood. Found a beautiful antique oak bed frame? Scout for other oak furniture that can tie in together.

Need a hand with your period home renovation?

Our design and build team at Period Extensions & Designs are experts in what we do and would be delighted to work with you on your renovation. We’ve worked on many exciting projects and understand exactly what needs to be done to turn your period home dreams into a reality. Call us on 03 9882 5255 and we’ll happily meet with you to discuss your visions.

white bathtub
CategoriesInterior Design

Designing a Period Bathroom: 5 Classic Features

By Period Extensions Team,

Modern Australian bathrooms are generally not much to get excited about. Most people stick with simple clutter-free designs with modern amenities that make our spaces as convenient as possible. But when you get to design a period bathroom, the door opens to a whole new world of fun and interesting features. We’ve pulled together a list of five of the most classic features that you will find in period bathrooms, and while all may not be appropriate for the particular era that you renovating for, they will certainly give you something to think about.

1. A freestanding bathtub

Built-in tubs only became popular in modern bathrooms in the mid to late 20th century, so whatever era you are trying to achieve, a freestanding tub should be the centrepiece of the room. Clawfoot tubs were extremely popular from the mid-1800s through to the 1920s, with vintage models made of almost all cast iron. Today you can purchase enamelled cast-iron tubs and place either jutting out from one wall or exactly in the middle of the room if your plumbing allows.

white bathtub

2. Antique wooden furniture

Wooden furniture is a good choice for Georgian bathrooms. You can find pieces such as dressers or sideboards in antique shops and use them as vanity units or extra storage space. If the top of the furniture is looking a little worse for wear, you can add a layer of marble for a fresh look. If you’re going for an Edwardian finish, you can also craft basins from large wooden standalone furniture.

3. Tiles

Tiles can be used for a few types of period homes thanks to the diverse range of sizes and colours. Edwardian bathrooms can have black and white large square tiles on the floor with decorative tiles on the walls, while large softly toned porcelain tiles look great in Art Deco bathrooms.

4. A pedestal sink

Pedestal sinks not only are an excellent period design feature, but they also work extremely well in smaller bathrooms or when your budget is tight. They can make your room appear larger, and there are different varieties to choose from.

5. Stained glass windows

After being popular in the medieval period, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that stained-glass windows made a comeback, with many Art Nouveau homes including this feature. Using stained glass is a wonderful way to let extra light into your bathroom while keeping an element of privacy from the world outside.

Planning a period home renovation?

For optimum results, we highly recommend working with period home renovation experts rather than tackling the project yourself. Our team at Period Extensions & Designs can help make your dreams a reality, so feel free to contact us to see just how we can make things happen.

bedroom with wood ceiling
CategoriesInterior Design

How to Dress a Period Bedroom

By Period Extensions Team,

Your bedroom is the one place in your house where you can truly relax and feel most comfortable. But while there are plenty of period design ideas for your living areas or bathrooms, a lot of people get stuck on just how to dress their bedroom when they only have a small square or rectangular space to work with.

In this post we are going to take a look at some ways you can dress your bedroom in line with particular period designs.

bedroom with wood ceiling

Georgian era

This era was all about simplicity, so look for plain or soft floral fabrics to use to keep things elegant, with long heavy curtains over your windows.  A bedroom bench can be placed at the end of the bed, and go hunting for some antique wooden furniture with cabriole legs and slipper feet. Lighting should be soft, and use a large rug over your beautifully finished wooden floors.

Victorian era

A cast-iron or brass bed should be your starting point for your Victorian bedroom with numerous pillows and material adorning it. Furniture should be made from solid wood such as walnut, oak or mahogany, with soft rugs on the floor. When choosing curtains, you’ll want to look for velvet or delicate florals, and your walls should feature older-style paintings of animals or children.

If you want to add some accessories to complete your look, consider candlesticks, lamps or brass pottery to place on tables or chests of drawers.

Art Nouveau era

The Art Nouveau era was all about originality, lavishness and beauty inspired by nature, and you can definitely have a lot of fun with dressing an Art Nouveau bedroom.

The furniture style of this period was sweeping and feminine, so choosing a solid wood bed with interesting curved lines will certainly make an eye-catching centrepiece. Printed and woven fabrics featuring vines or flowers were common, and you can use these either in upholstery for your bed, on armchairs, in curtains or rugs. You could use wallpaper with bold or muted palettes, and either cover all walls or have just one accent wall. You can also cover your walls with printed artwork pieces that you find at antique shops or art fairs, or you can even replicate prints yourself.

Need a hand with your period home renovations?

If your renovating a period home, it’s highly recommended to use the services of a professional design and build team that understand all the finer details and can manage the process effectively. At Period Extensions & Designs, we live and breathe period homes, and our team has a wealth of experience behind them. We’d love to chat about your project and see how we can help, so give us a call on 03 9882 5255 to set up a time for us to meet.

home interior with white walls
CategoriesInterior Design

Painting Your Period Home: A Guide to Colour Schemes

By Period Extensions Team,

Period home colour schemes will always vary. That’s because no two period properties are ever quite the same. However, colour choice makes a significant impact on how your interiors and exteriors will look in the long run. What’s more, the right colours can help to honour a property’s character, while modernising it all the same.

home interior with white walls

In this quick guide, we’ll take a look at what you can expect from period home colour schemes. While we won’t go into detail on each type of period home in this piece, we will at least give you a broad overview of the importance of paint.

Go For Tradition

When choosing the right colour scheme for your property, think about the shades and hues popular to the period. A period home renovations expert will be able to share ideas with you. While brighter colours may be a hallmark of mid-20th-century housing, pre-20th may look better with muted shades.

You should look to complement your property with colour. It’s tempting to splash your favourite shades over your project. However, to keep authenticity, try and stick to the traditional palette. You can do this and still modernise the look of your home.

Go Neutral

Along the same lines, don’t be too afraid to pick neutral colours. Anyone well-versed in period extensions and design will tell you that pure whites and greys can be very powerful. What’s more, they help to create a broader sense of space.

In period properties which may feel cramped or tight, this is a big plus. Don’t be too tempted to go for bright, bold colours. It’s fine to splash some personality around; however, do consult a period design expert first. They will help you to define your palette.

Be Sparing

The urge to brighten up an old property with a new colour can sometimes be very strong. Our best advice to give in this regard is to try and exercise restraint! Colour is fantastic as it can be used to enhance space or even create greater intimacy. However, there is a risk that you may end up completely overdoing things.

Only ever use colour that is appropriate to the look of your property, and use it where it needs it the most. Unsure where this might be? Consult a design expert and never start splashing colour and paint around until you have an expert opinion.

Be Creative

It may be easy to think this guide has warned you off going too creative with colour. However, we believe a balanced amount of creative paint goes a long way. It’s all going to depend on the balance you want to strike between traditional and modern.

Want to modernise a property completely? You can afford to be more creative. Want to stick to the old traditions? Think creatively about how to emulate period colour schemes and touches.

Above all, always make sure you have a period renovations expert by your side. Call us on 03 9882 5255 to learn more.

living room with natural light and white walls
CategoriesInterior Design

7 Interior Design Tips for Your Period Home

By Period Extensions Team,

While every period home is going to be different, there are a few rules which apply to all. Our complete guide to blending traditional and modern design will give you the full lowdown. However, in this post, we’re going to look at a few specific ideas. These are tips and tricks you can put to use with your period home design team right away! Let’s take a look at some period home interior design tips which genuinely work.

living room with natural light and white walls

1. Go Open-Plan

One of the best period home interior design tips is to open up your rooms. Period homes are, by design, extremely practical. Our lives are more fluid these days! Work with professionals to blend rooms, so you can welcome open spaces.

2. Paint

There’s no surprise that it is amazing what a fresh coat of paint does to any home. Struggling to pick the right colour scheme? Ask a period home renovator to help put you on a clear path to a stunning design.

3. Lighting

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with lighting is to over-modernise. Period homes fitted with scores of LEDs, for example, don’t always look right. As we explain in our full guide, of course focus on maximising natural light.

4. Use Natural Materials

Regardless of the period your property was built in; natural material can help to add a rustic charm. Natural wood and textiles can help to take your property back to another time.

5. Be Subtle with Colour

We talk about colour subtlety elsewhere. However, it bears noting that you shouldn’t charge into over-painting a period home in bold colours. Lead with subtle, neutral touches, and accentuate with brighter tones if you wish.

6. Think About Regional Differences

If you’re going to be utterly loyal to your period renovation, consider the differences in design from area to area. What may not be typical in Melbourne might be expected in Perth. Always ask an expert for advice!

7. Listen to Others and Engage a Professional

This is more of a general tip than a practical idea. Don’t just listen to your head or even your heart. Do some research, and be willing to listen to what experts have to say. Just because an idea looks good on paper, doesn’t mean it will always work in practice.

Call an expert today for more details on getting started with period home renovation. Call 03 9882 5255 or talk to us online.

CategoriesInterior Design

The Dangers of DIY Interior Design

By Period Extensions Team,

[vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]So you’re renovating your home and you’ve just bought ‘the perfect piece’. A fabulous lamp for that dark little corner, a gorgeous throw rug with matching cushions you found online for your living room renovation or maybe a gorgeous corner table, ideal for your bedroom makeover.

There’s a good chance, however, that ‘perfect piece’ was too small, too big or actually, entirely the wrong colour – and now it’s too late to take it back.

Interior design is not as easy as it looks – and much more important than you think. Follow these six DIY interior design tips and you’ll be styling up the perfect room in no time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#1 START WITH THE BASICS – A SIMPLE TAPE MEASURE

There is nothing more heartbreaking than bringing your shiny new purchase into your home, only to realise that it is simply too big to fit, or too small to make an impact.
Impulse buying can also be a very expensive mistake. Imagine buying a couch for your living room renovation that doesn’t even fit through the door! Always measure first. In fact, measure twice!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3189″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#2 SHOP WITH A PLAN

As the saying goes, “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Great interior design does not happen by accident. Before you hit the shops, spend some time looking carefully for what you need for your renovation. Take photos, use magazine clippings, draw some sketches – whatever makes the planning process easier for you.

Shopping without a plan leads to unnecessary clutter. When you apply careful planning and a minimalist approach, clutter will be a thing of the past.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3190″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#3 BEWARE THE ‘IMPULSE BUY’.

Never buy on the spot. Remember, you have to live with the items you buy. Also, shop around for the right price. Impulse interior design is a waste of money. There’s nothing worse than spending more than you need![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3191″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#4 SCALE IS EVERYTHING

It takes a talented eye to decorate a room with impeccable scale. The secret to scale in interior renovation is a mixture of different shapes, heights and sizes that fit together seamlessly – not too big, not too small. You never want everything in a room to be at the same level or the same size.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3192″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#5 TESTING – 1, 2, 3

Choosing paint colours can be a minefield. Take advantage of sample pot sizes and take the time to patch test before you begin on your home improvement. Once you’ve begun, re-painting can be a painful process. Also, if you can, go for a feature wall. The use of a bold contrast colour can really bring your house alteration to life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3193″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

#6 LIGHT IT UP

Lighting is often underestimated in interior design. Natural light is the best way to show off furniture and soft furnishings but at night, floor lamps add mood and ambience. Do some research about the use of LED lighting, too – new technology now allows a whole new range of light control.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3194″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]The professional design team at Period Extensions is passionate about creating environments to meet your lifestyle needs, while respecting the rich history and architecture of your home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CategoriesInterior Design

Why You Should Add A Fireplace To Your Home

By Period Extensions Team,

[vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The cold winter is upon us, and it is time to get cosy around a warm and welcoming fireplace with a good book and a glass of wine. So, should I add a fireplace to my renovation/extensions I hear you ask?

Here are a few ideas to ponder about.

Fireplaces have been an integral part in the design of a period home. Be it Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian.

Even the later designs such as the Californian Bungalow, Hampton’s style and the Minimalist house designs have incorporated the humble fireplace as a feature and focal point of their designs. There are several reasons for this.

FIREPLACES AS ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

Traditionally, the purpose of the fireplace was simply to provide warmth. But with the passing of time, they soon became an architectural feature as the period houses were renovated and restored.

Architects began designing houses with fireplaces as the focal point of living and dining rooms. These fireplaces were not only large open fires but gas log fires and even electric fireplaces.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”3147″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]

MODERN RENOVATORS WANT GAS AND ELECTRIC FIREPLACES

Most renovated period properties replace the traditional open fireplaces with electric or gas fireplaces. This is so that the home owner can enjoy the aesthetics of a fire place without the hassle of maintaining an open fire place.

Modern electric and gas fireplaces also provide interior design solutions such as being inset into the wall at any height and can mimic flames using LED flame-effect light technology. Many also come with remote controls, allowing owners to adjust temperature and light settings with the flick of a button.

There are options for those who would prefer a traditionally-styled hearth too. Modern gas and electric fireplaces can come with period features and styles, providing that all-important link to the past. Though the elements are decorative, the overall effect is the same: the fireplace helps to provide a warm and cosy atmosphere.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”3148″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]

FIREPLACES PROVIDE NOSTALGIA AND ROMANCE

There is another reason why people are choosing to keep their homes warm this winter with modern fireplaces: they help provide a sense of nostalgia and romance by emulating many of the cues of traditional fireplaces.

Staring into golden glow of the flames, and being enveloped in the warmth, during these winter months wrap you up with the notion of nostalgia of and romance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row desctop_pt=”padding-lg-30t”][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1542162858315-67dd0dd9-14e8-2″ include=”3149,3150,3151,3152,3153,3154,3155″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CategoriesInterior Design

Make a Statement with Your Entrance Hallway

By Period Extensions Team,

[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]First impressions count – an elegant entrance hall will set the tone to your home renovation and extension. It should exude charm and character, and most importantly reflect your personality.

The hallway is the gateway to your home and as such the way you design it will set the scene for the rest of your home. Although the humble hallway is often treated as a thoroughfare which will lead you to the different zones in your house, it should not be neglected. Instead, some simple design elements can be used to make it into a statement.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3132″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

MAKE THE ENTRANCE DOOR A FEATURE

For a period home, make sure the door incorporates some leadlight features. This will also let light in and fill the entrance with warm sunshine. Or for a more modern look, choose an oversized door or paint it with a striking colour. Make a statement![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”3133″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-40t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

STATEMENT ARTWORK

Lighting is not only essential in your home but it can be made to make a statement in your hallway as well. A beautiful pendant light will transform your hallway from a thoroughfare to a destination in itself. Or you may prefer a piece of artwork to make a statement, be it a sculpture or hanging on the wall.

There are several ways to make your hallway sing. So be creative and let your personality set the tone for the entry to your newly renovated home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3134″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” desctop_pt=”padding-lg-40t”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3135″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

USE FURNITURE TO CREATE THE WOW FACTOR

An empty hallway is not very welcoming, so fill it with items and furniture that suits your style and personality. Let your guests know what they can expect when they step into your home. Perhaps its family photos on the wall, or somewhere to hang your jackets and put away the shoes. Or something slightly more stylish like an antique hall stand or beautiful marble table, with a stylish vase on top with fresh flowers is simple, yet elegant. Or perhaps a bench seat or chair, or even a beautiful large mirror would add depth and brightness.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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