The best of both worlds: updating a period property while preserving its charm | Historic Cornwall (original) (raw)

Widely regarded as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, Cornwall is known for its gorgeous coastline that boasts stunning cliffs, sandy beaches, and clear blue waters. However, beyond the idyllic natural scenery, there’s no denying that Cornwall also owes its charm to the many architectural gems dotted across the region. The county is home to numerous period properties, including stately homes, mansions, manor houses, follies, and traditional country cottages that tell the stories of centuries past.

While the majority of these historic buildings are well-preserved and some even open their doors to the public, allowing visitors to discover the treasures hidden behind their walls and explore their grounds, for others, the passage of time has left deeper marks, and they find themselves in dire need of renovations. The joy of living in a historical home is often dampened by structural damages and other complications that one wouldn’t have with a newer build.

So, here comes the challenge: how do you integrate contemporary amenities and features that provide enhanced comfort and convenience in an older house without compromising its charm and character? If you own a period property in Cornwall, be it a manor or a cottage, you have to walk a fine line if you want to get the renovations just right. But with care and caution, it’s very much possible to blend the old with the new and enjoy the best of both worlds, so here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Learn about the history of the place

If you want to do your period house justice and restore it to its former glory, you need to start by doing a bit of digging and learning about its history first. Researching your home’s history and going down the timeline to uncover interesting facts about its past can help you identify the elements that make it special and gain a better sense of its value, so you can preserve the unique spirit and feel of the place while renovating.

The property’s documents are a good place to start your investigations as they should contain all the important details such as the date of construction, the original form of the building, or structural modifications made by different owners throughout the course of time. You can also go to the town or city hall and consult the archives to find missing pieces of the puzzle and find out further information related to the building.

Restore original features if possible

In any other renovation project, one wouldn’t hesitate to strip away all of the building’s elements and then start from scratch. However, in a historic home, one should strive to preserve as much as possible of its original features, starting with its bones and layout and ending with ornaments and décor details.

Many period properties have been built with high-quality materials, so even if some parts of the house present signs of wear and tear, there’s a good chance they can be fixed or reconditioned by a skilled restorer. And if you want to add a modern touch to your interior, a fresh coat of paint or some contemporary décor accents can provide the perfect balance, allowing you to keep the home’s structure intact.

Hire the right specialists

Renovating a home is quite a demanding task that requires time, effort, adequate resources, and proper skills; renovating a historic home is all the more challenging and taxing due to all the permits, custom designs, and other specialized knowledge it involves. So, this is not a job for self-proclaimed handymen or rookies.

You can make a lot of mistakes and even put your safety at risk if you choose to do the work yourself. For example, chances are your house has an old electrical system that needs to be updated, so you’ll have to reach out to a licensed local electrician such as Wave Electrical Solutions to get the work done safely and effectively. It usually takes a village to restore a period home the right way, and that includes architects, builders, restorers, plumbers, and other qualified professionals who can help you carry out the project successfully and provide peace of mind.

Blend new additions seamlessly

While examining your home in preparation for future renovations, you might come to the conclusion that certain elements have deteriorated beyond repair and no amount of care and attention can salvage them. You might also decide not to keep certain features for practical reasons. For example, your home’s traditional timber window frames and wooden doors can be costly to replace and they might not be the best option in terms of energy efficiency.

So, when looking for replacement pieces, you can opt for modern materials that are sturdier and more effective at maintaining comfortable interior temperatures. But if you don’t want them to stick out like a sore thumb, it’s best to choose a style that matches your home’s original aesthetic, so you can create a cohesive space where everything flows seamlessly.

Plan ahead

Renovating a historic house is a journey filled with obstacles and surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. A building that has survived for centuries has had multiple owners and each of them has brought their own changes and additions, some useful and inspired, others less so, which means you need to get ready to peel off all the layers and deal with whatever is underneath.

That’s why it’s recommended to plan ahead and know what you want to achieve and how before you break ground. While you might find yourself forced to alter or tweak your plans here and there, you still need to have a rough idea of the stages and steps you need to follow to bring the project to completion. This will help you avoid budgeting issues and keep your renovations going smoothly.

Challenging as it may be, bridging the gap between past and present while renovating a period property is not an impossible task. So keep these tips in mind and trust the process when the time comes to update your old house.