TRADITIONAL AND PERIOD FURNISHINGS
Knowing the date of your house
Do you know when your house was built? It is important to be able to
recognise the defining features of your house, which identify when it was
built, so that any renovations or decoration carried out are in keeping
with its period and what is already there. This is certainly true in any
conservation work, so that what is restored is original or replaced with either reclaimed or reproduced examples of the same period.
It is not vital that this is a hard and fast rule and by no means should you be dictated to by the date of your house, but respect for original features and
craftsmanship is always a good basis for moving forward. Look what happened in the sixties and seventies -- beautiful details were ripped out and even stately
homes and mansions were pulled down. All that heritage lost.
Even if you are not intending to be literal in your approach to decoration, it is better to have a sound grounding
in the origins of your house before you start.
Play with history
It's also fun to have a bit of a history lesson. There is nothing quite
like opening up a boarded-up fireplace, or pulling up carpet to reveal gorgeous parquet flooring. Who has lived in your house before you? Imagine what it was like without all our mod cons? There are plenty of businesses out there to help you get decorating your period home right, even down to the paint. Not just the colour either, you can even be historical about the type of paint, distemper and breathable paints can help preserve the fabric of the building too.
The hunt is on
Once the basics have been done and you have a feel for the look you want,
the enjoyment comes in filling it with the right furnishings. Have fun in
finding pieces that look in keeping and which you like the look of. Try
alternative sources like antique markets and local papers as well as auction
houses and buy new.
These things needn't be solely original. The quality of
craftsmanship is vital. If something is well made you're on to a winner.
Europe by Net has extensive pages of traditional furniture, ranging from
the country look to beautiful inlaid marquetry pieces, made by Italian
craftsman who have been using the same methods for generations. Some of these pieces can take their place beside antiques or more modern pieces for that eclectic look. Historical accuracy combined with personal taste will result in a considered and sympathetic way to furnish a period house.
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Regency style
chest of drawers
Inlaid chest of drawers
Walnut round table
Painted sideboard
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