Why Staying In Makes Home Décor More Important

It’s around this time every year that some of the most nerdish stats of all come out relating to rail travel, but this year they are very relevant for those who have been spending more time at home in the pandemic.

A large proportion of people living in parts of London like Croydon will have been working from home more, or all the time, and will not be surprised to read that passenger numbers are down in the capital and across the UK.

The 2020-21 passenger number figures produced by the Office for Rail and Road did still identify London as having the UK’s busiest station - although Stratford has taken this title away from Waterloo - but showed that across the UK passenger entries to stations dropped by 78 per cent. In Waterloo the decline was from 86.9 million in 2019-20 to 12.2 million.

Since people are spending less time commuting and more working from home, décor matters more than ever. What better reason for cornice restoration in London than wanting to live and work in a more pleasant and well-maintained home environment, with the plasterwork in the best condition?

Restoring and maintaining classic features of an older home might seem at odds with redecorating or redesigning the interior. But those forecasting interiors trends for 2022 might suggest otherwise, with the focus not on ditching tradition but on using the floor space better.

For example, Architecture Lab suggests establishing a clear workspace will be a common feature of homes in 2022 as home working becomes the ‘new normal’, whatever the course of the pandemic over the coming year.

Kate Wiltshire Design offered a slightly different idea, predicting more open-plan living, which could make the exact location where work takes place the subject of more flexibility and choice.

Whatever turns out to be the dominant trends of interiors next year, however, it is likely that people will be paying more attention to it, as they continue to spend a lot more time in their home than on the train.

The Origins Of The Listed Building System

How many listed buildings exist in the UK?

Amazingly enough, there is no actual answer to this, as even Heritage ngland has noted that whilst there are 500,000 entries on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), many of them cover multiple rows of houses, and others cover specific parts of one notable graded building.

The system, which affects the types of listed building restoration projects that can take place to maintain the particular special character of a structure, has three grades depending on the level of importance:

Grade I buildings, which are often major landmarks or historically critical buildings.

Grade II* buildings, which are of especially important interest

Grade II buildings, which have important historical characters and make up the majority of the list.

The earliest foundations of a greater focus on preservation came about with the works of John Ruskin and William Morris with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Whilst concerns about the preservation of architecture were not new, and in fact, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, one of the most successful and acclaimed novels in history had preservation as its central theme, SPAB was one of the earliest groups to take action to help protect the character of old buildings.

Mr Morris, in particular, advocated for the repair of buildings rather than an idealised reconstruction of an old building as it was in a previous age, which he saw as destroying its history.

It would take until the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1944 and 1947 for the listing system to take shape, as a result of concerns about the cultural heritage of many cities that had been lost due to the Blitz.

Since then, several changes to the philosophy, listing criteria and transparency about the list itself and its guidelines have formed, and a growing number of people have had their say about what buildings should be preserved as living pieces of history.

What Do You Need To Know Before Restoring A Listed Building?

Restoring or repairing a listed building in the UK can be a complex and lengthy process. The rules and regulations are all there for a good reason, to preserve the historic integrity of the building and the surrounding area, but it can seem like a minefield to navigate. Here’s a brief overview of the process.

Why do listed buildings have different grades?

Listed buildings are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Historic England explains that Grade I is for buildings of the highest architectural or historical interest, and is just 2.5% of all listed buildings. Grade II* is for buildings of more than special interest; 5.8% have been awarded this status.

The majority (92%) of listed buildings are Grade II. All listed buildings, wrecks, monuments, parks, and gardens, can be looked up on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). All buildings built before 1700, which retain some or all of their original features, are likely to be listed, along with many from 1750-1800.

What does the listed status mean for an owner?

The listed status means that there are regulations over what changes can be made to the exterior and interior of the buildings. Owners will need to apply for Listed Building Consent before most types of work are carried out on the property.

The listing is not a preservation order designed to freeze the building in time, but any work should be sympathetic to its original character and materials. It is not impossible to alter or extend a listed building, if the correct procedures are followed.

The interior of the building is likely to boast some fine original features, and these are quite rightly protected by law. Certainly, any changes to finely detailed fireplaces, windows, internal walls, stone work, cornices, and plastering, should not take place until official permission has been granted.

If you need help with listed building restoration, talk to us today.

Kitchen Updates To Get Done Before Christmas

With Christmas rapidly approaching, you may be considering getting the house ready for the festive season so you can greet family and friends for food, drinks, and swapping presents. But with the big day only a matter of weeks away, it’s unlikely you will have time for any major renovations.

A gorgeous period home can’t be renovated in a rush, and major projects such as new kitchens can take months to plan properly. However, you can make some changes to the kitchen that are fairly hassle-free and need relatively little investment.

The kitchen is usually the heart of the home and the busiest room in the house, and none more so than at Christmas, with every countertop, sink, and hob in use while cooking up a feast for your family. We have a look at five quick kitchen updates to get done before Christmas.

Switch up your lighting

This simple refresh can instantly update the feel of the apse in the kitchen, and make it much easier to work in. Consider adding a row of metallic pendant lights over the kitchen island, or spotlights or under cabinet lighting to illuminate food preparation areas.

Declutter

Even the most organised of people will find that kitchen cupboards can become cluttered, particularly as you stock up for Christmas. Sort through your pantry and cupboards, replace out of date spices and herbs, and check cookware is all in good working order.

Change up your splashback

If you don’t feel comfortable tiling, then look at self-adhesive splashbacks made from toughened glass to add a decorative element to the sink area. They’re durable and strong, and easy to install.

Install new hardware

Updating the handles and knobs on cupboards or drawers or changing your taps can make a huge impact for little investment.

Paint your kitchen cabinets

Change up your colour palette without the time and expense of a whole new installation by using chalk paint.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration for larger jobs then talk to us today.

£750k Grant To Restore Iconic Victorian Gothic Building In Leicester

A Grade II* listed building in Leicester is in line for a £750k grant to help save it from falling into disrepair, the City Council website reports. The former bank is currently the home of The ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), but the historic building is currently in a poor state of repair, and is on the Buildings at Risk register.

The landmark building was designed by the architect Joseph Goddard, and was constructed in 1874. The red brick and Portland stone exterior is matched by a beautiful interior, which is now threatened by a leaking roof. Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) have agreed to help finance the listed building restoration work.

Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Having visited this building to see the extent of the work needed, it was clear that the damage to the roof was far worse than anticipated, and the costs of repair higher than anyone first thought.”

He added: “Historic England have increased our grant to enable us to fund the work needed, rather than allowing further damage to be caused to this important local landmark. We have a duty to take care of the city’s historic buildings to ensure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy.”

The ISKCON have also raised £350k towards the cost of the repairs, which are due to begin shortly. The ceiling will be repaired with lime plaster, once the rotten roof timbers and Georgian glazing in the roof lantern have been replaced. Any materials that are still in reasonable condition will be reused to preserve the character of the building.

The elaborate interior also features pillars which are hand-carved with individual friezes, and each corbel stone is decorated with a different coat of arms, the ISKCON website explains. The clock in the banking hall was made by the same company that made Big Ben, Dent’s of Southwark, reflecting the past importance and status of this unique building.

London’s Finest Ceilings

If you need plasterwork in London, you can be sure not just of getting a professional job that can restore your plaster walls, cornices and ceilings to their best state; we also approach the task with the inspiration that comes from some of the capital’s finest architectural traditions.

There are many ways in which the architecture of London can inspire, which is not surprising given its diversity. Whether it is the awesome height of towers like the Shard, the history of Hampton Court Palace or the splendour of the stucco-plaster covered Regency era buildings in the inner western areas, there is much to impress and draw ideas from.

The same applies inside. There are many fine ceilings and some truly great ones.

Among the best of these are historic ecclesiastical buildings such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the ‘hidden gem’ of St Mary Aldermary nearby, civic structures like the Palace of Westminster, the Supreme Court and Woolwich Town Hall, hotels like the St Pancras Renaissance and many more.

Others include the Royal Naval College, Leadenhall Market, Osterley House, Tate Britain and Kenwood House Library, and this list could easily expand to feature many more.

Of course, there will always be differing opinions on what the best are and designs vary, from the oak beams of many older buildings to the ornate decorated plaster fresco paintings in others. 

Nonetheless, what these great ceilings do is provide great focal points in the interiors of these buildings, showing just how important each and every level of a building can be in creating a beautiful impression.

It is this attention to design that inspires us, and while your own home may not have the space, high ceilings or accompanying ornaments or artworks that these grand London buildings have, the use of skilled craftsmanship can still help maintain and restore a stylish and beautiful look.

What Are The Most Sought-After Period Features?

London is not short on interacting buildings with intriguing histories, from the Elizabethan era properties of the City to the Regency, Georgian and Victorian homes that abound in West London neighbourhoods, London is arguably one of the best places in the world for buyers looking for a home with period charisma.

An imbalance between supply and demand for larger houses has driven up property values all across the UK, meaning it is great news for sellers, as it is impossible to build a new period home, meaning there is a finite supply of period houses, giving homeowners better prices on the market.

But what are the period features that could attract even more attention, and potentially drive up the value of your home even more?

Many people have been seeking out larger properties, but while the option to have a garden in London is slim, people are looking for properties with high ceilings, most regularly found in the typical first-floor drawing room or ‘piano nobile’ of typical Victorian and Georgian buildings. While ground floors can have good ceiling heights, it is the first floor that is most caught after.

Sticking with the ceiling, and the light airy atmosphere afforded by high ceilings, mouldings, architraves, original fireplaces and elegant staircases are also high on buyers must-have lists. Such architecture was typical of the Regency, Georgian and Victorian eras.

However, a well cared for period home with all the right features will come at a premium price, ad there are some considerations that buyers should take into account before purchasing a Regency home of their dreams.

Buyers wanting period features should look for well-preserved buildings within prime central London, particularly those that are white stucco, as these generally will provide the type of moulding, high ceiling and architraves common of homes built between 1840 to 1880.

Keep in mind that these buildings will often be listed, and the preservation and restoration can be rather expensive.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, get in touch today.

Renovated Draper’s Hall In Coventry Reopens For Autumn Events

The Grade II* listed Draper’s Hall in Coventry is set to reopen this autumn, after a £5m restoration project led by Historic Coventry Trust (HCT) was completed. It is a rare example of a Regency building in the city, which was heavily bombed during WWII, and was built in 1832, to serve as a headquarters for the Coventry Drapers’ Guild.

Previous to the current building, there was a medieval, and then a post medieval building on the site. The restored hall is in the Greek Revival Style, and houses a Ballroom, a Tearoom, and a Reading Room, which all have decorative plaster ceilings and chimneypieces. It has not been in use since its last function as a magistrate’s court over 30 years ago.

Dr Geoff Willcocks, Vice-Chair of HCT, has been working on the project for eleven years. He said: “As a heritage development trust, the purpose of Historic Coventry Trust is to restore the city’s historic buildings and put them back to work for the benefit of its people.”

He added: “Drapers’ Hall is a perfect example of how we do this. Empty and without a purpose for over 30 years, this building now has a function that will see it making a positive impact on the lives of those living in the city.

The renovated building will now serve as a home for Coventry Music Service and as an events venue. Bdaily reports that the acclaimed songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson will be among the first to perform at the restored venue.

Coventry is the UK City of Culture for 2021, and there has been a series of events celebrating the vibrant culture and heritage of this resilient area at the heart of the country. It is the second fastest growing city in the UK, and it has a diverse and youthful population which give it a unique flavour.

For lath & plaster services, please get in touch today.