PERIOD HOME SPECIALISTS

Whilst fully embracing contemporary design, we have always held a very special interest in Period Homes.

Projects carried out on such properties are undertaken with the greatest respect for the original building. With careful consideration, a property can be sympathetically extended to accommodate the demands of modern life without severely impacting on the original character.

Reclaimed fireplaces, pine floorboards and doors are often used and carefully selected. New products such as bespoke sash windows (double glazed), matching skirtings, solid wood flooring and natural stone paving can be introduced harmoniously. On many occasions, we actually re-introduce original features that have been previously stripped out.

Our specialist services are extensive, however, a selection of some of the most popular items are listed below:

Architectural Mouldings
We hold a small range of original architraves and skirtings that you won't find at the local builders' merchant. These have been specially copied from existing mouldings in order to match new work to an original building. The profiles listed are available to our clients and will give new rooms a more bespoke feel. Naturally, we will also be pleased to match your existing mouldings as required.

Marlowe Skirting
Marlowe Architrave

Eltisley Architrave

Appleloft Skirting

Standard Architraves and Skirtings will often be perfectly adequate and a selection are listed for your reference:

Torus/Ogee Skirting
Ogee Architrave

Ovolo Skirting
Ovolo Architrave

Plaster Mouldings
We are able to organise specialist repairs to damaged plaster cornices or copy an original moulding for use in a new rooms or more typically in an adjoining room.

Stained Glass Windows
The beauty of original leaded light stained glass in the front door of a period property is hard to beat - but not impossible to create! We can authentically reproduce glass to match neighbouring properties or from a selection of designs. In some cases, an original door can be overhauled and leaded glass refitted. On occasions when the original door is beyond useful repair or has been replaced, we can supply and fit a suitable new door with bespoke leaded glass.

Floor Sanding and Re-claimed Boards
Original floorboards retain a special sense of history and charm to an old house. Wherever practical, we would advise their retension. We are able to assess the viability of your floor boards and advise on repairs, sanding and finishing. We can also introduce reclaimed boards to new extensions to create a feeling of continuity.

Solid Hardwood Floorboards
When original boards are not an option, an equally suitable alternative is available. Solid Oak or Ash tongue and grooved floorboards in widths of up to 180mm can be introduced with superb results. These boards can be laid directly on to timber joists and where possible beneath the skirtings and architraves. Having an old floor lifted offers an opportunity to treat original joists and introduce floor insulation.

Staircases
When installing a new staircase (usually in conjunction with a loft conversion) we take particular care to photograph and measure original newel posts, handrails and spindles. This information is passed on to our specialist turners who accurately reproduce these items for the new staircase.

Bespoke Sash Windows
In some cases original ash windows are found to be beyond repair or have been replaced with something unsuitable. Although this is always a great shame, these circumstances present an opportunity to have the best of both worlds. We are able to supply and install bespoke sliding sash windows that very closely match the original with the big advantage of double glazed units, draft excluders and weather strips.

Stone Paving
Natural stone paving slabs, especially used in conjunction with cobbles create a perfect back drop to a period home. We are pleased to offer our clients full design and landscaping services.

Garden Houses
A Garden House can add a very special feel to the garden, whilst serving a multitude of purposes from a humble shed to workshop or studio right up to a fully fledged home office of annex. Where possible we use up small stocks of reclaimed slates or tiles and occassional surplus original window. Timber clapboard and simple doors lend a barn like simplicity to our Garden Houses. We are, however, always happy to discuss alternatives such as cedar shingles, brick or render.