Heritage home, renovation & interior design - Part II
Decoration & Furnishings
There is a reason so many of us are drawn to period homes. They carry inherent beauty, steeped in history, rich in character, and imbued with a sense of place. They tell stories, but with these stories come complexities; older properties often require careful consideration, sensitive restoration, and a degree of patience to maintain and inhabit.
If you own a period home or are considering one, this guide will help you navigate key aspects of its interior design and renovation. In Part I, we explored the importance of understanding the building’s fabric, its past, and its present needs, as well as planning the home’s function and flow. Now, we move beyond the structural to consider the aesthetic, how to approach decoration and furnishings with sensitivity and intent.
Nooks & crannies
Older homes were not designed for contemporary life. Their spaces often evolved over time, resulting in unexpected alcoves, meandering corridors, and idiosyncratic layouts. These leftover spaces needn’t be seen as constraints; instead, they offer opportunities to create something beautiful and useful.
Bespoke joinery is an elegant way to transform awkward corners into functional features, think bookcases tucked into underused alcoves, window seats inviting quiet moments, or discreet cupboards designed to merge seamlessly with the existing architecture. The key is to work in harmony with the property’s character, ensuring any additions feel intentional rather than imposed.
For a softer approach, use paint or wallpaper to subtly delineate areas within a room. A shift in colour or pattern can define a reading nook, highlight a recess, or frame an architectural feature. Texture also plays a role, layering textiles, art, and decorative objects can transform an underutilised space into a sensory-rich retreat.
By looking at these ‘troublesome’ areas with a different perspective you can successfully transform challenging and underutilised corners into functional and enjoyable features.
Layered lighting
As explored in Part I, lighting should be considered early in any renovation. Where will lamps sit? How will the space feel at different times of day? Thoughtfully placed sockets and switches make all the difference.
Period properties often benefit from layered lighting: a mix of overhead fixtures, wall sconces, table lamps, picture lights, and candles or an open fire. Lower-level lighting, particularly when dimmable, enhances atmosphere, while different heights and directions of light introduce depth and warmth. The interplay of shadow and glow is what truly brings an interior to life.
This is why considering function, flow, and fabric before decorating is so essential. Lighting interacts with surfaces, bouncing off polished plaster, sinking into velvet, warming wood tones. The placement of architectural features, furniture, and even textiles influences how light moves through a space. Thoughtful early planning ensures that lighting supports daily life while enhancing mood and atmosphere, preventing costly retrofits later on.
Peel back the layers
Many older homes have suffered from well-intentioned but inappropriate interventions over time, modern plasters trapping moisture, decorative details hidden beneath decades of paint, original floors concealed beneath carpets. Peeling back these layers can be revelatory.
You may uncover exquisite period wallpapers, hand-mixed pigments, or forgotten architectural features. Specialist companies such as Rose of Jericho can analyse paint fragments, helping to date and match colours. Textiles and wallcoverings can also be restored or recreated by heritage specialists such as James Randolph Rogers.
Of course, not everything should be stripped away. Layers can add richness, telling the story of a house’s evolution. Before undertaking any removals, seek professional guidance, especially if your home is listed, to avoid inadvertently erasing something significant.
Use natural & breathable materials
Older buildings were designed to breathe. Inappropriate modern materials such as synthetic paints, vinyl flooring and non-porous sealants can disrupt this natural equilibrium. Instead, opt for breathable finishes and high-quality, natural materials that complement the home’s original construction.
Seek out solid wood, hand-blown glass, wrought iron, and brass. Use textiles made from natural fibres such as linen, wool, hemp, and silk to introduce warmth and texture. Thoughtfully selected furnishings and accessories should echo the home’s integrity, elevating rather than competing with its character.
It’s also important to be discerning when products are marketed as ‘breathable.’ This term has no regulated definition, so research is key to ensuring you choose materials suited to your specific building.
Focus on architectural features
If you are fortunate enough to have original windows, fireplaces, cornices, or skirtings, these should be the foundation of your decorative approach. Where elements need restoration or reinstatement, attention to detail is essential, ensuring proportions, style, and scale are in keeping with the home’s era.
Heritage buildings demand sensitivity. Before removing or altering any original features, seek expert advice. What may seem like an inconsequential detail could be an integral part of the home’s historical fabric.
Build your colour palette
A home’s age can provide a useful starting point for colour selection. Before the 18th century, paints were made with earth pigments, resulting in soft, muted tones. The 19th century ushered in richer hues as new pigments became available. Many heritage paint brands offer historically informed palettes, or you may uncover original colours beneath layers of later decoration.
That said, historical accuracy is only one approach. Deep, inky shades can add drama, while fresh, unexpected combinations can bring vitality. One rule remains: avoid pure, brilliant white, it is jarring in period properties, lacking the depth and nuance that softer shades provide.
Neutrals, when chosen with care, allow a home’s architectural beauty to shine. Texture, warmth, and colour can be introduced through textiles, art, and decorative accessories, creating a space that is rich yet restrained.
Trims & ceilings
There is no rule that skirtings, dados, and cornices must be painted white. Historically, ceilings were limewashed to conceal soot stains, and the modern convention of white-painted woodwork is often more about cost-saving than considered design.
Colour choices should be made in context. A dark wall paired with a white ceiling creates a stark line, visually lowering the space. Painting walls, trims, and ceilings in the same tone creates a seamless effect, while subtly contrasting shades can highlight architectural details without overwhelming.
Ultimately, the right approach depends on the room’s proportions, light quality, and desired atmosphere. Thoughtful colour placement can transform how a space feels, making it calmer, taller, richer, or more expansive.
Mix old & new
After establishing your palette, define the overarching feel you wish to create, whether it’s layered and lived-in, light, minimal and elegant, or rich and moody. A successful period home does not need to be a museum; it should feel alive, evolving, and personal.
Combine inherited or collected pieces with contemporary craftsmanship. Antique furnishings gain a new relevance when paired with modern textiles or unexpected colour pairings. The key is balance, juxtaposing elements thoughtfully to create a home that feels cohesive, considered, and entirely your own.
Final thoughts
The beauty of a heritage home lies in its individuality. Thoughtfully approached, its layers, both architectural and decorative, can be woven together to create an interior that feels timeless yet personal, refined yet deeply comforting.
Above all, allow the home’s history to guide you, working with its character rather than against it. In doing so, you will create something that is not just beautiful, but enduring.
Useful Links
James Randolph Rogers
https://www.jamesrandolphrogers.com
Rose of Jericho