If you live in, just purchased or looking to buy a property with history and it needs some love, this post is for YOU.
It's no secret I have a special place in my heart for historical buildings or retro houses. I know it's cliche but it's true, 'THEY JUST DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THEY USED TO'.
I understand some properties are beyond repair and there's not much you can do to salvage, or preserve them. Occasionally the figures don't align and it doesn't make much sense to keep your little part of architectural history. Hopefully this read will help you make a more informed choice.
FIRST AND FOREMOST: DOES IT HAVE A HISTORICAL OVERLAY?
If you don't know, best you check because if there is, the decision is out of your hands and there will be regulations regarding renovation of your property. You should be able to easily access this information with a phone call to your local council or check your section 32.
I'm not going to go into detail on historical overlays, as every area is different; but DO NOT lift a hammer until you have checked. Danny DeVito says nope.
WHAT ERA IS YOUR PROPERTY?
Again, your council or your property documents should be able to tell you this. Once this is established you want to figure out what style the house is. Is it a Californian Bungalow, Victorian, Edwardian, Post War Austere, Federation, the list goes on and on. There are a few different iconic styles that represent architectural periods of time, so the date alone will not tell you what style your house is, but it's a good start. Do your research and look for the details that represent your suspected style. Google ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY and begin your search there.
ARE THERE MAJOR STRUCTURAL FAULTS?
If your home is beyond repair (financially or structurally), there may be no option but to knock it down and start again. If this is the case PLEASE try and keep some of the home's history, before the demolition crew get in there and reduce it to rubble. Try and save light fittings, ceiling roses, door handles or even the doors themselves. You may be able to repurpose these in your new build or on sell them to a person trying to restore a house of their own, therefor preserving a little piece of the beautiful past.
HOW CAN YOU MODERNISE AND BE TRUE TO THE HOME?
You may be in a position where the house needs a face lift, or needs to be modernised. This is still doable while keeping the integrity of those features that makes your property the little gem that it was when it was first built.
Elements that can be featured and incorporated into a modern renovation are things like cornice or moulding, ceiling roses, door hardware, tiles that have stood the test of time, staircases, picture rails, fretwork, and of course the facade of the house. It's remarkable what a coat of paint will do to freshen up the look of a property. Most of the time, you can structurally leave the facade of the house and completely renovate the interior (thats where I come in) and still feel like you live in a little (or big) piece of history with all the mod cons we've become accustomed to.
RESTORATION RESOURCES.
If you are looking to bring your home back to its former glory, then sourcing period appropriate finishes, fixtures and furnishing will be your biggest time consumer through your renovation.
There are some companies that specialise in reproduction items that may save you a lot of time dealing with second hand dealers and antique shops.
Generally original is best but some times things need to be retro fit like light switches and plumbing.
Remembering my first point, DO YOUR RESEARCH.
If you would like help looking for a home in a particular style that you would like to renovate I'm more than happy to help.
As I take a personal interest in Architectural History, renovating or restoring properties would have to be my favourite projects to take on. Please contact me on through the CONTACT PAGE if you would like to organise a consultation.
Bec xx
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