Finding a way to mix old and modern designs in your home isn’t always easy. Sometimes it might be necessary, however, if you want to add an extension on to a period house, or restore an original feature in a home that has been renovated. Here are some ways to help you approach the problem successfully.

In a period home that has been renovated in a contemporary fashion, there may be some original features which have been partially removed or damaged. Most commonly, these are decorative plasterwork, such as cornicing and ceiling roses, panelling, and original fireplaces.

These features can lend character to a room, rather like adding the perfect herbs and spices to a dish, and look especially striking when combined with modern décor. It is worth putting some effort into restoring or replacing them. If they are damaged, it may be possible to replace them with bespoke reproductions or salvaged items.

If some areas of ornamental plasterwork are intact, a specialist restoration company will be able to take moulds and produce exact replicas. Restoring a fireplace, even as an ornamental feature, will give the room a traditional focal point that draws the eye. Check to see if they have been boarded over, as you may uncover a hidden gem.

While many traditional features are desirable, it is also important to maximise the sense of light and space in your home. The two elements need not fight against each other, but can work in harmony. Reclaimed bricks and exposed brickwork used in extensions work well with modern frameless glazing, for example.

A final point to remember is to try not to mix too many eras and styles at once. Original Victorian or Georgian features and complementary new furnishings will look great, but if you start to bring some Art Deco styling into the mix, for example, the room may be in danger of losing its coherence.

If you are looking for Kensington and Chelsea interior designers, get in touch today to see how we can help.