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Modernising a period home: Top tips on mixing the old and new

By Hugo Alley โ€ข Leave a Comment

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The lure of fresh country air, wide open spaces and a community feel continues to entice Australian homebuyers. Alongside larger, more affordable spaces, and the promise of a simpler way of life, comes the charm of older homes and their intricate period details. The cost of maintaining, repairing and restoring these features, however, can be significant.

Tom & Sarah-Jane’s master ensuite on The Block 2022

For those period homes that require a touch of modernising, knowing when to hold onto, or replace, original features can be a tricky path to navigate.ย CSR Gyprockย have shared some top tips on how to retain the heritage charm of your country home while incorporating modern updates.

Blending old and new

One popular way to modernise a period home is to open up the original structure with a modern extension, resulting in a more spacious and airier floorplan.ย 

Contrasting period features against modern design can make a big impact architecturally, but itโ€™s also important to retain a flavour of the old in the new. High ceilings, decorative cornice, chandeliers, door knobs and ceiling roses are typical hero moments in older homes and showcasing some of these features in a new renovation can serve as an anchor between the eras.

Rachael & Ryan’s master bedroom on The Block 2022

Whether youโ€™re renovating or extending the homeโ€™s footprint, itโ€™s important to retain the authenticity and character of the existing home,โ€ saysย Renee McGinty, general manager of marketing for Gyprock. โ€œThe installation of interesting design features that stay true to the era can help set the scene.โ€ย 

Ceiling roses

A ceiling is an element that can easily transform the look and feel of a room and ceiling features can make an enormous difference no matter what style or era of your room.ย Ceiling roses have been used throughout the decades and come in a variety of designs from simple to very elaborate and ornate.ย The original purpose of a ceiling rose, particularly in large and spacious homes, was to provide a focal point for a high ceiling, as well as to enhance the aesthetic appeal of light fittings.

Bathroom Tom & Sarah-Jane

โ€œThe style you choose will largely depend on your current dรฉcor and any other pre-existing heritage features,โ€ says Renee.ย Whether original or newly installed, a ceiling rose can add an elegant and sophisticated touch to a room. For example,ย incorporating decorative elements in bathrooms can provide a unique focal element and, when used alongside modern plasterboard such as moisture resistant Gyprock Aquachek, can signal a tangible blend of old and new.

โ€œThe trick to choosing the right ceiling rose is to consider the ceiling height and room size, and to match the smaller and larger diameters with the same patterns. You can select from different periodsโ€™ styles to suit your home or by a particular design, which helps if you are trying to match a cornice style or pattern in a room.โ€

Cornices

When renovating a home with a particular era in mind, there are ways to respect the character of the property, preserving the past while allowing for modern day living. Effectively, cornice bridges the junctions between walls and ceilings and today there are many modern profiles which, beyond function, work to make a striking style statement in a home. Throughout the eras, cornice styles have changed to reflect the building trends of the time and were typically known for their intricate and decorative mouldings.ย 

Ankur & Sharon’s walk-in robe on the Block

โ€œOrnate plasterwork is often the defining feature of a heritage home and will give a clear reference to its period,โ€ says Renee. โ€œUnderstanding how the building was originally finished and following that lead will give the best result.โ€

Carrying the same detail throughout a newer or more modernised space in a period home, will result in a more cohesive design narrative reflective of its past. Beyond decorative moulding many other factors will contribute to the liveability and aesthetic impact of a period renovation. Consider paint colours, wall patterns, furniture and cabinetry to assist in maximising the charm. 

Rachel & Ryan’s master ensuite

With thought and planning you can create contemporary spaces that preserve a beautiful, timeless quality.ย You can speak with your builder about how to incorporate Gyprock Decorative plaster features when you are renovating or building. Made in Victoria, they are available to order from Gyprock Trade Preston.

More from CSR Gyprock

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Sponsored by Intrim In no small part due to the current season of The Block, modern country interiors are in…

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November 16, 2022

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Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

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Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

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Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

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Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaideโ€™s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the homeโ€™s original, period features. 

Designed by the homeโ€™s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
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Hugo Alley

About Hugo Alley

Hugo Alley is interning at Interiors Addict as part of his Bachelor of Media at the University of New South Wales

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