How do I update my heritage home?

If you are fortunate enough to own an older heritage home, you will probably be aware that this type of property poses special challenges. How do you update it and at the same time honour its architecture?

Challenges

• There may be preservation guidelines and regulations that your renovation has to adhere to;
• Your home may have antiquated electrical, plumbing, heating and other systems that need upgrading to meet modern codes, without compromising the original structure or features;
• Sourcing features such as cornices, screen doors and hardware to replicate historical details can be time-consuming not to mention expensive;
• Qualified and skilled craftsman who can use traditional methods are getting harder and harder to find. All the more reason to support the ones that are still doing it;
• Incorporating modern features in to the home such as closets, en suite bathrooms and kitchens can be jarring. Design needs to be thought through carefully to ensure they either blend with the existing architecture or contrast in a meaningful way.

The good news is that you have an asset that has outlasted fashion trends and with careful thought you can inject your own personal style and grow your investment.

Renovating tips

• Choose colours for your interior/ exterior scheme that are sympathetic to the date of the home. Updated variant on the original period colours can work. What won’t work is choosing colours from a palette created for the slick lines of modern architecture;
• Research and select period details that harmonise with the date of your house – arts and crafts wallpaper won’t marry happily with an art deco apartment, for example;
• Inserted modern elements – such as a fireplace or a cornice – should be in designed with the same proportions as the existing architecture;
• Mixing contemporary furniture with vintage or antiques will help to make your interior scheme harmonise in its older surroundings;
• If you don’t like an original feature of the house, don’t draw attention to it. Downplay it with colour or lighting. If you must remove it, store it for a future owner who may want to re-incorporate it;
• Embrace flaws – the surfaces of an older home won’t be perfect. For example there will be signs of wear and tear in the timber floorboards. Patina adds character;
• Use colour, pattern and texture. Older homes were typically more decorated than our modern interiors. They are crying out for a similar exuberance to bring them to life.

As always, if you would like help, please reach out!