By Angelica Squire
A brand new kitchen or freshly plastered room can be a wonderful thing. But with older properties, there’s something pleasing about inheriting architectural features that haven’t been changed for years — centuries, even. Wooden ceiling beams, uneven walls and door frames so low you have to duck to go through are all special things to inherit. They’re hard to reinstate in an authentic way so consider how lucky you might be to become their custodian.
This Grade II*-listed six bedroom property in Oxfordshire, currently on the market for £4.25mn, dates to 1680. Known as The Great House, it’s an English Baroque town house full of historic features. Here I’ll highlight some of these in detail and show you how to integrate them within your own interior setting.
Use wood and rope
Wood panelling is elegant, timeless and creates a calming place to sit. Sometimes people are concerned that the wood feels overbearing or too intense and so decide to paint over it. Instead of doing that, you can balance the room by adding in lighter colours to the window blinds or curtains and choosing lighter upholstery.
Textures, such as wood panelling and rope, help bring warmth to a space. Along smaller or upper floor staircases, consider installing a rope handle along the wall, such as these from Hunter and Hyland, rather than a solid hand rail. Lesser-seen these days, they’re more unusual and add interest in historical and contemporary settings.
Transform nooks and crannies
Historic properties are often full of seemingly useless little nooks or cupboards that feel redundant in daily life. Setting up a bar area or drinks station can be a good way to use such a space and makes a wonderful addition to a home. We recently transformed a disused fireplace in a sitting room into a bar zone for some clients, turning an unused gap into something practical and fun.
Add antique furniture
Avoid installing fitted joinery in every bedroom and keep in mind how charming a beautiful old Victorian wardrobe can look in the right place. They’re also far less expensive. Vinterior, 1stDibs and Lorfords have a good selection.
Allow space for old windows
Recognise how beautiful old windows can be. Whether a huge Georgian sash or a smaller Tudor pane, they are often a key feature of what makes a period property so striking. With that in mind, ensure that curtains or blinds are placed well clear of the glass, so that during the day the whole area is fully on show for all to see.
Celebrate the beams
If you inherit ceiling beams, don’t be tempted to paint them white. Embrace the darker wood but ensure the areas of ceiling and wall between them are on the pale side. This way, the room won’t end up feeling too heavy or dark.
Photography: Charlie Chichester; Savills; Christopher Horwood; Dave Watts
