Period Interior Inspiration

25/05/07

When Lynne Frost Interiors were approached to restore the rooms of prestigious privately run hotel, Invercauld Castle, director Lynne Frost savoured the challenge of working with heritage pieces as well as returning the rooms to their former elegant glory. Here Lynne talks us through the complexities of themed interior design.

Interior design involves the ability to turn another individual’s vision into a reality, with period interiors being possibly the most complicated theme a designer can be presented with. The success of period styles depends on keeping all objects, patterns, fittings and furnishings within a historically accurate design setting, but not at the cost of comfort and convenience.

Invercauld is set in the glorious landscape between Braemar and Crathie on Royal Deeside. Parts of the castle date back to the 13th century and it is steeped in regal history - Queen Victoria is said to have been a frequent visitor. The accommodation, which can cater for up to 20 people in single and double rooms, had grown tired and the owners wanted close detail paid to refreshing rather than changing the existing design.
If you own a period property, do some research before adding to the original features. Returning a period house to its former glory can be an expensive exercise. When budget and time are considerations, opt for authentic features that have maximum visual impact and that you will be aware of on a daily basis.
Period Wallpaper

Wallpaper is often an easy way to express a contemporary feel in a period property. In the early and mid-Victorian period elaborate scrolled floral patterns were favoured and primary backgrounds of red, blue and green overprinted with shades of cream and tan were common. Moving into the 19th century, Gothic inspired trellises painted in rich earth tones with stylised leaf and floral work were most popular.

Period Furnishings and Fixtures
If you don’t have a local reclamation yard, finding authentic pieces isn’t always easy, opt instead for quality reproductions. When buying reproduction pieces choose craftsman-made over mass-produced if possible. Keep it minimal, original oak doors and a striking period fireplace can be all that is needed for maximum interior design impact. However, don’t rule out pieces that look extremely dated or damaged. From broken chairs and table legs to damaged sideboards, dressers and beds, a good restoration or furniture repair company like Gatts, can breath new life into beautiful period furnishings.

Period Accessories
Good interior design is always about attention to detail, this is never more important to remember than when working on a period property. Keep in mind things like, wrought iron fireplaces and trimmings where standard before 1700, cast iron grew in popularity during the Regency period and brass only became the fashion from the 19th century onwards.

Further Inspiration
Visit Invercauld Castle for further inspiration www.invercauldcastle.com or take a long weekend to beautiful Paris and the Marché aux Puces in Clignancourt - here you can scour the amazing flee markets for French period features, logon to www.les-puces.com for more details. For Restoration and furniture repair go to www.gatts.info