Timeless Principles for Historic Renovation

Linda Gregoriou, Harrison Agents CEO who has restored, adaptively reused and refurbished several historic buildings, offers her useful principles to guide the dos and don’ts of renovating and decorating historic buildings.

Do listen to the building

The building is the client. If you listen to what the building tells you it will work.

Think about the landscape; the size of the garden; the architectural style of the building. This will be your guiding light on how you approach renovating and decorating a space to give a sense of place.

Do have a clear brief

Have clear fully documented drawings or a brief before you commence so there is no room for error. A good brief is akin to a good recipe. If followed, its fail safe.

Don’t abide by the latest trends

Classic, trend free, enduring quality is always the best. Social media like Instagram and Tik Tok have enabled trends to set in quickly and become tired equally fast. One’s home is a self-portrait and if you trust and listen to yourself when making decisions the result will feel unique and genuine.

Do research before you start a project

Read books and magazines, visit museums, gardens and art galleries for all types of inspiration.

Do pay bills to trades and suppliers promptly

It keeps the goodwill on a project flowing and trades are more likely to try and help beyond if you’re prompt in payment.

Don’t overcomplicate the electricals

The latest integrated technology today, isn’t tomorrows. I prefer on/off switches and manual dimmers which can be adjusted to the right ambience

Don’t use recessed ceiling lights

When it comes to lighting, living rooms should not be mistaken for football stadiums. A carefully placed lamp lit room gently buoys the interplay of dark and light, flattering guests, art works and furnishings. Use wall sconces sparingly, pendant lights as task lights. Recessed ceiling spotlights – never!

Do tile to the ceiling

Tiles in a bathroom or any wet area should be to the ceiling, Tiles stopping mid-way or three quarters of the way looks like you’ve run out of tiles or money!

Do keep or refurbish shutters

Often, they are an exquisite piece of joinery, they anchor windows or a façade. They also play an important role in controlling Australia’s harsh climatic conditions and are an excellent form of security.

Do collect books

Books make a house feel like a home. I love filmmakers John Waters’s quote, “Collect books, even if you don’t plan on reading them right away. Nothing is more important than an unread library”.

Don’t entertain a feature wall

Never. Ever. Commit to a decision to paint or wallpaper an entire room including the ceiling. Go the whole hog or don’t do it at all.

Do visit antique fairs, markets and second-hand shops.

You’ll never know what treasure you will find and mixing and matching antiques, vintage finds with modern makes for a more interesting room.

Don’t cover the chimney opening or remove the mantle.

The chimney is the anchor of a room, provides a focal point and adds interest. It may not be a working fireplace but use it as a decorative anchor and fill it with stacked timber.

Do use hardwood timber for fencing

Colourbond fences are the bane of the Australian suburban landscape. If you do have neighbours, ditch the Colourbond fence and install a timber fence, it will weather beautifully and compliment planting.

Do be prepared to wait

Don’t rush into making decisions about a space without having lived it in for a while, ideally through all seasons. See how the light affects a room through the day and months.

Don’t use engineered floorboards

Try to keep and repair original floorboards; they anchor a room. Don’t replace with engineered floorboards, which inevitably result in characterless flat pancake like expanses of floor. You will never be able to make a room aesthetically right. Even worse are the plastic floorboards. Run!