Picture rail in a new build? Period features v modern?
Hi folks!
So I am looking at purchasing my first home, but a used to (and love) period features. What are peoples thoughts on features like a picture rail in a newer property?
Any examples of it would be a massive help
So for context, I am looking at this space below (lounge diner) and introducing a picture rail, a real wood (reclaimed parquet perhaps - open to thoughts) floor rather than laminate and obviously redecorating. Possibly, but not certainly, introduce a fire place fitting the new style if needed too
Thoughts and ideas welcomed!
Comments (25)
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Comments (12)Thanks so much for your replies. Really helpful and definitely food for thought. Shjuly71 - I actually really like the brightness of the light grey wall photo you attached thank you! Although it's less cosy I think that would do the world of good in this house. We will have the living rooms cosy and literally only use the hallway to get between rooms and upstairs. The wooden floor is an awful red stained and full of holes where heating has been installed etc so we desperately want a carpet to stop the drafts etc. We have had new windows and front door installed just before Christmas and that has made an amazing difference in the heat levels but I really want a thick heavy door curtain too. I really feel the cold. We have a multifuel burner in the main living room and have lived with that lit since September (plus central heating on timer etc). Minnie101 - I think it would look stunning to be all white - or a softer version as suggested - although I haven't ever been 'brave' enough to try anything other than brilliant white. Maybe this could be the time? We do have a mirror which came with the house and is bleughhhh (being honest) and is currently above an old teak 1920's walnut sideboard behind the door with the glass panel in the photo. The sideboard is really dreadful but is my other half's family heirloom and has lots of their history in it so I'm stuck with it. I did suggest it would look really lovely in the cellar or garage but he isn't for taking me up on that one! We do have the upstairs bathrooms to re-do but that won't be for a couple of years as we also have a kitchen to relocate into an annexe that was added on and that's going to be a huge job. Jonathandb1972 - I really love the idea of painting the radiators the same colour as the wall and would never have thought of doing that. They stand out so much like a sore thumb but they're really needed and do a decent job of keeping some heat in the hallway. Would I just ask for a metal paint / spray in the same colour and it would match? (We are DIYers - although himself was a multi-skilled joiner in years past so have a bit of help on that front - but we will be tackling the decorating ourselves as we have a such a huge amount to do). I hadn't thought that the pine was poor quality and I quite like the stripped vestibule door and the sides but I'm not a fan of shiny varnish and orange stain. But have since looked and see that they are pretty awful. So feel less worried about painting now. I think plan might be to paint as I was first thinking - skirtings and dado in white or soft white but leave the doors, frames and architraves in wood and see if it looks just plain odd. If it does I won't worry then about painting them all. Thanks again for your input. Really really helpful....See MoreIs this picture rail original 1930s?
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James
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Juliet Docherty
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PROCarrie Cotton Design
5 years agoHello - so exciting you are looking to buy a home...this space is lovely. Sounds to me like you would like to add a bit of character the space and maybe try to add some visual height to the room. Parquet flooring is always a win in my book. I also think a 2- to 4-inch-width molding is appropriate and would look great! But like others have said, paint it the same colour as the walls. Little things to add visual height to the room...make sure the fireplace finish goes up to the top of the ceiling...hang mirrors higher....use low profile furniture...and if you want to make a statement, think about adding something unique to your ceiling such as a colour, gloss paint, or wallpaper. I love adding a statement ceiling to a room with normal height ceilings...draws your eye right up! Here are a few examples of statement ceilings at work (their ceilings are higher but gives you some ideas). Good luck! Carrie
James thanked Carrie Cotton DesignJonathan
5 years agoI think in the absence of other features coving is great. Plus you can get something that is not tall but looks bigger because of a bigger projection across the ceiling. An Victorian style coving is not too fancy, fitting into either a contemporary or period style scheme
James thanked JonathanJames
5 years agoJuliet Docherty
5 years agoI would disagree about coving. It can look good in the right properties, but wrong in some modern ones. I ripped out all of my naff coving that a builder had put in our house and it improved it instantly. I found this image and thought the colours and proportions may be of interest to you.
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