Bring a victorian home Into the 21st century
I think it is fair to say, many of us if not ourselves now live in Victorian homes. Homes that go beyond the grand exterior into an interior that offers a variety of architectural elements from the Victorian era. Properties from this period were typically solid and simply configured. Quite often we see a Victorian property that has been stripped bare of its original features. Whether that is the sash windows, ceiling roses, cast-iron fireplaces or tall skirting boards.
Many are now considering these original features as an integral part of the interior, but as mentioned, this wasn’t always the case. Cheap modernising swept through Britain after the Second World War and only really calmed down in the 1980’s. During that time, many fireplaces, panelled doors and cornices were ripped out and replaced with plywood, melamine and lurid wallcoverings in a big to bring homes up to date. Bet this sounds rather familiar to some of you, right?
Today though, a more considered approach is the norm. We want to preserve the original features to bring character to our home without compromising on contemporary style and functionality. Often this means marrying hallways, living rooms and bedrooms bursting with authentic character with a highly efficient kitchen and bathroom. Here, you will find other ways of incorporating your homes Victorian features with a contemporary style.
Right, let’s start with the bathroom. Those of you who are lucky enough to have beautiful sash windows which allow in a vast amount of light should consider a tile with a gloss finish. We say this because gloss finished tiles allow light to bounce around the round the room, whereas a tile with a matt finish tends to have a light-absorbing effect.
Our Hannah range embodies luxury with a timeless style, a perfect backdrop for classic living. Not only do these tiles have a timeless style, but they will also compliment the original features found in a Victorian property such as coving, cornicing and an ornate ceiling rose. Finish off by adding sleek white furniture and accessories like a freestanding bath and a contemporary chandelier.
There is another little thing we all love to talk about when it comes to redesigning the home, this being the floor. Still have the original floor boards in your property? If you do, bonus. We are still obsessed with original floor boards, and who can blame us really. Even battered and worn boards can be repaired and patched, so seek advice before giving up on your Victorian originals.
If you’re original floor boards are long gone but you are still seeking the look or want something as close as, why not opt for wood-effect tiles? Wood-effect tiles have seen a monumental transformation of recent years. The timber purists amongst us would never have considered choosing imitation over the real thing, but such is the quality and exactness of today’s printing techniques that wood-effect tiles have become difficult to distinguish from their natural counterparts.
The main benefit of wood-effect tiles as opposed to natural wood is that they will require little maintenance. Not only are they exceptionally easy to clean, they will also keep on looking their best for years to come as they are really hard wearing. This means you can be relaxed and happy that your investment should see little wear and tear over time. They are also perfect for use with underfloor heating too! Underfloor heating works with all floor types, including porcelain and ceramic tiles.
These days, modernising a Victorian home is more about making it function well while still preserving its character – so this is where we talk about the kitchen and how tiles are quintessential. Not only are tiles hardwearing, easy to maintain and versatile, but they also come in a variety of styles, like our Metro range for example.
In its humble beginning, the metro tile was a basic white gloss bevelled edge tile, preferred by government managed buildings like hospitals and prisons. Easy to clean, non-offensive; practical not stylish! However, its future re-invention is as a stand out piece – a feature in its own right.
Metro Carrara is ideal for creating a flamboyant splashback in your austere and functional Victorian style kitchen. Gentle yet warm marble tones combined with the engaging bevelled edge make this tile genuinely fascinating, enough to blend in with the surrounding features – such as the range cooker and open shelving.