The nature of the period has been enduring appeal and one of the main reasons is their original features. Gemma Dunn gives his tips on adding value to a home.
The fireplace gives the room a focal point and characters, and if they are functional, is a practical addition to the living room. eBay is a great place to find the fireplace of all styles, including a period and reproduction. While some are expensive, many can be picked up for very little. You can buy a fireplace fully recovered, but others make great DIY project.
Painting pine fireplace surround will quickly change it, and rust can usually be removed by Hammerite Kurust (£ 8.49 for 250ml, Halfords), metallic paint that can be applied directly to rust, or in the case of a polished metal surrounds are not designed to be painted, sandpaper very smooth or metallic paint and fine wire wool.
Just as no fireplace chimney breast is the sorry sights, as well as the nature of the period with ugly plastic window. Many people such as UPVC windows because they are double glazed and low maintenance, but some styles are more interesting and appropriate than others. UPVC window sash is a good compromise and does not cost more than UPVC casement windows from multiple suppliers.
If you have a bigger budget, or your choice is limited by the laws of planning, period-style wooden window is a wonderful alternative and environmentally friendly. Windows can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home and when to replace them is not cheap, it's worth doing if you can, especially if it makes your home more energy efficient in the process.
Replace the ugly exterior door or a date can also make a big difference to the appearance of your home. Wood doors come in a variety of styles and as long as you choose the one that suits your home period, should not date.
If you can not afford a new exterior doors, interior doors are generally much cheaper. There are, of course, the reproductive period-style door, but nothing beats the original, which you can find at architectural salvage yard and on eBay.
Even better, many people throw away original doors when they are renovating, so they are there for the taking. If the door is in a poor state, it saves a lot of time and effort to make them professionally dipped and stripped - stripping themselves really hard work.
Some of the easiest features period-style roses to add ceilings, coving / cornicing and dado and picture rails - there is a huge choice of online and in DIY stores.
With coving and ceiling roses, the best choice for DIYers is lighter materials, such as polyurethane resin, which is easy to adjust - leave the plaster designs fit for professionals.
Period floors, whether of stone or wood, can be expensive if you buy reclaimed materials, so it is not for everyone. Modern wooden floors rarely looks like real wood flooring, but it is easier to imitate stone.
Modern encaustic tiles similar to that of Victoria, for example, and some companies specialize in putting them into intricate designs that fit the original. This is a fantastic way to make amazing features that will not date.
