Before you panic about some of your favourite vintage interior items, don’t worry, you won’t need to chuck them out for your own safety. You may find the history of them quite interesting though. 

In this blog, we’re taking a look at why certain trinkets from that era may contain uranium and how to look out for it in your home or when shopping. 

What is uranium glass?

Uranium glass contains small amounts of uranium (uranium dioxide) that have been added to the glass mix ahead of the melting process in order to achieve a distinctive green or yellow hue. 

Sometimes known as Vaseline glass (depending on the hue) due to its similarity to the original petroleum jelly colour, uranium glass came in many shades, including some which were entirely opaque. 

Even though uranium is technically classed as radioactive, you can rest assured that the trace amounts used in these glass trinkets don’t pose any risk to you!

The history of uranium glass

The use of uranium in glass first began in the 1830s. The inventor, Josef Riedel, named his creation after his wife with a yellow-green version being called Annagruen and a fully yellow version being called Annagelb.

Initially, the uranium glass was made in his factory in Bohemia but, after 1848, more factories began to make it. In the 1880s, there was a large increase in its popularity which led to the Whitefriars Glass Company making it a mass-market product.  

The distinctive colour and ability to glow in the dark was a novelty to Victorians and, similar to stained glass, became a staple in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. 

The milky-coloured finish that is more likely to be called Vaseline glass came about in the early 1900s after heat-sensitive chemicals began being used to make theglass. 

All variations would eventually fall out of fashion thanks to the pausing of uranium production during World War Two and lack of resources afterwards. 

These days, a few specialist uranium glass makers do still exist but it is rare that you will find new pieces for your home, so looking for antique glass pieces is your best bet for incorporating some into your period property.  

What does uranium glass look like?

This type of glass will look a pale yellowish-green colour and the majority of pieces look fluorescent. It can be described as ‘glow in the dark’ as, under ultraviolet (UV) light, it can appear neon green. 

Vaseline glass will be visibly more yellow compared to other versions which is why you may hear it being called canary glass as the yellow is so distinctive

There is also ‘custard glass’ which has a more opaque, whitish-yellow look, and then jadite which has a whitish-green (like a jade colour) finish. 

Some of the differences between these variations are quite subtle so, as long as you’re on the look out for the fluorescence, you should be able to spot uranium glass. The brighter the glow under UV light, the more uranium that might be present. 

What is uranium glass used for?

So, what is typically made with uranium glass? The Victorians favoured more decorative items thanks to it’s unique colouring, with many beautiful vases, figurines, candleholders and collectable items being crafted. 

They also adored making impressive tableware with the glass, with elegant drinking glasses, bowls and dishes being popular. 

Victorians also liked decorative beads and the subtle glow of uranium glass was perfect for this. This meant that there was even jewellery made with uranium glass which, if you’re able to find some, could definitely be a way to turn heads. 

Is it safe to handle uranium glass?

As we’ve previously mentioned, you won’t need to worry about radiation when handling uranium glass. The amount included is very minimal so it is safe to use. 

Some may think because it’s rarely made new that it isn’t safe but this is just due to it becoming less popular even when there was no longer a uranium shortage. You’ll still be able to find and buy some vintage pieces made with the glass or you may even stumble across some in a charity shop if you’re lucky. Many antique sellers don’t even know they’re offering it so, keep on the look out for the signs mentioned above. 

If your uranium glass piece breaks, it’s still safe to handle (just be careful to avoid cutting yourself). To dispose of it, we recommend contacting the relevant local waste management services or council to double-check it’s safe to throw away in your regular bin or recycling. 

Insurance for your Victorian Home 

Just like uranium glass, you’ll want insurance with a glowing review for your property. Adrian Flux is a broker that understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Do your vintage trinkets contain uranium? appeared first on Victorian Homes.

If you own a Victorian property with its original brickwork, not only are you incredibly lucky, but you’re most likely looking to preserve it. In this blog, we will be taking a look at how to do just that, plus how to restore any damaged brickwork you may have. 

What types of bricks did Victorians use? 

Victorian buildings used a plethora of brick types and what type was used tended to depend on where in the UK something was built. Red, yellow and clay bricks were all popular options.

Significant London landmarks built in the Victorian era, like Tower Bridge and the Elizabeth Tower, used specially made bricks like the Wienerberger’s Smeed Dean London Stock brick or bricks outsourced from other parts of the country. 

How do you take care of your brickwork?

As with Victorian woodwork and brasswork, the more you work to preserve brickwork, the less likely you’ll have to restore it. Here are a few easy methods you can use to protect your property’s interior and exterior brick structure. 

Regular checking

We’d recommend inspecting your walls and other brickwork at least once a month. You should check for cracks, breakage or loose bricks. This can help you catch any minor issues before they get out of hand. 

Gentle cleaning

It can be tempting to powerwash brickwork, especially on the outside of your home, but this can cause damage in the long run, including weakening the mortar between bricks . You should keep your bricks clean to ensure they remain looking their best and don’t deteriorate. 

The best way to clean brickwork yourself is the softwashing method. Avoid harsh chemicals and brushes and instead, opt for a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft washer. Softwashers are like powerwashers, but they’re designed to be more gentle and are perfect for historic buildings.  

The cleaning solution you use to clean bricks should be diluted professional-grade sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach. This should get rid of the three Ms; mould, mildew and moss, all of which can deteriorate your brickwork if left untreated.  

Alternatively, to clean small areas of your external brickwork, you can use a nylon-bristle brush along with a gentle water-vinegar solution. 

Repointing

Repointing is the process of cleaning damaged or decayed mortar from your brickwork, and replacing it with fresh mortar. It’s ideal for bringing life back to your walls and keeping them strong. This is something you can do yourself or hire a professional to do. If you do choose to take the DIY approach, you can achieve it in a few simple steps.

Step one: Make space 

Clear the surrounding area of all furniture and decor, covering the floor and what you can’t move with sheets. If you’re focusing on the exterior, cover plants and flowerbeds too. 

Ensure you’re doing this on a day with good weather so everything can dry properly. 

Step two: Clean and remove

Make sure the wall or bricked area is clean (no debris). Then you’ll have the task of removing the old, possibly damaged mortar from the affected areas. You can start this with your hands, especially if the mortar is already loose but, if you come up against some tough spots, you can use a specialised tool or just an old screwdriver. When you get a little deeper, you will most likely need a hammer and chisel.

Spray the damaged areas with a bit of water to prevent any further cracking. 

You’ll only need to go around 10mm deep and make sure you’re careful around doors, windows and light switches. 

This process will create a lot of dust and debris so make sure you clean the bricks again after this. 

Step three: Time for fresh mortar 

This may be the part that you’ll need a builder for as the new mortar will need to be specially formulated for your brickwork. A professional will also be able to evaluate how much you’ll need and make the right amount for you, plus they’ll colour match it. 

If you are repairing the masonry completely solo, make sure you use mortar that is colour matched and appropriate for your period property. Lime mortar is always a good option for historical brickwork, especially if it’s granite, as it allows everything to breathe and prevents spalling (deterioration). 

Then you can apply your mortar yourself. You’ll want to start where damp is most likely to occur, the bottom, and then work upwards, applying the mortar left to right in the horizontal grooves which should also fill the vertical lines. Every gap should be filled and you should look out for air bubbles. We recommend using a gauging or plastering trowel to do this. 

Leave to dry for 2-4 hours, but don’t do anything further until you know it’s definitely dry. If you touch it and no fingerprint is left behind, you’re good to go. 

A lot of Victorian walls will need weather struck and cut pointing, which was a popular choice in the 19th century as it helps water easily run off the bricks. This will be better done by a builder.

Step four: Final touches 

Use a wire brush to remove any excess mortar so that you’re left with a somewhat hollowed mortar face. Then take a step back and hopefully admire your handiwork, making sure you’re happy with the overall look. 

Surface treatments

If you’ve already completed the repointing process, or you think your masonry just needs a refresh, you can make a historic surface treatment part of your restoration. 

There’s colourwashing (a vintage treatment method for lime mortar), where you mix water, pigment, potash alum and glue and add it as a protective layer over the bricks. This can stain but for those wanting a revamp, this can be part of the appeal.

A mixture of water, chalk, and glue used as a protective layer is called pencilling. Then there’s Stucco, a thicker coating popular before the 1900s, which is basically sand and lime. Both of these are old-school methods of restoring brickwork and preventing damage. 

Stucco can be used alongside a limewash (a lime and water mix, possibly with salt or milk). 

Painting

Modern paints, like latex-based ones, can create damp and spalling on historic masonry and ruins the lovely patina that older brickwork has. If the previous owners have painted the brickwork, this could be damaging it and you might want to remove that old paint before repainting.

We’d recommend using a protective limewash or clay paint externally instead. Indoors, it may be tempting to try and find a ‘breathable’ paint but we’d recommend avoiding it. Exposed brickwork is bang on trend and can really give a space character.  

Replacing missing bricks

Whether a brick has crumbled away or fallen out, you may now be on the hunt for a replacement to ensure the structure doesn’t suffer. You can have a supplier match the colour and texture of the existing masonry or you can do that yourself. 

Try to match the brick type as closely as possible (taking size into consideration) and, if you know the brick type, be on the look out for exact matches or replicas.

Insuring your Victorian property

If you’re preserving your brickwork, you clearly care about your period home which is why you’ll want the right insurance. Adrian Flux is a broker that understands this and will help find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: Victorian Brickwork  appeared first on Victorian Homes.

The Victorian era was a time of innovation and this was reflected in architecture. That’s why many popular tourist destinations across the country have that recognisable Victorian flair. They created things to look impressive and now, in the modern age, we can appreciate each of them in a host of locations. 

We take a look at some of the most famous Victorian landmarks you can find in the UK, perfect for including in the itinerary for your next trip. 

Big Ben

Elizabeth Tower, the home of the Big Ben bell, was first built in 1843 after the Palace of Westminster was destroyed in a fire. Engineer John Dent was tasked with building a clock for the new Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament) in 1852. By 1856, the first Big Ben bell, originally called ‘Royal Victoria’, was cast to accompany the clock. A second Big Ben would have to be cast in 1958 and by 1859, the clock would finally chime for the first time. 

Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower are now one of the busiest tourist attractions in London, with the most recent conservation finishing in 2022 and bringing new life to one of the most famous examples of Victorian architecture available to the public. 

Notable Victorian design elements: As an example of gothic revival architecture, which was very popular at the time, the Elizabeth Tower features stone carvings of symbols that represent the four nations, lancet windows, a pinnacle, and a lot of ironwork on the clock itself. 

Tower Bridge 

Another beautiful example of Victorian craftsmanship in the capital, Tower Bridge, was designed by Sir Horace Jones in the 1870s. He had been inspired by the architecture he’d seen across Europe, combining two visually stunning towers and a segmented roadway with a drawbridge to accommodate ships passing underneath. It was a brilliant design that even allowed pedestrians to cross and now remains one of the most used river crossings in the country. 

Described as ‘London’s defining landmark’, you can now purchase tickets to see panoramic views from Tower Bridge or tour the engine rooms that keep it working efficiently. You can even hire certain parts for events and parties – did someone say drinks with a view? 

Notable Victorian design elements: To match the Tower of London, Tower Bridge was also made in a neo-gothic style with stone carvings, turrets, and pointed arches. It was also an example of the Victorian industrial boom with the bridge being originally powered by steam engines.  

Osborne House

Standing tall on the Isle of Wight, this elegant estate is a physical representation of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s taste. They commissioned it in 1845 and it became a safe haven for the royal couple. Victoria would also stay there for comfort after Albert died in 1861. ‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,’ Queen Victoria would say when asked about her favourite residence. 

Built in the Italianate style, Osborne House is now somewhere you can book to visit. You can enjoy the gardens and nearby beach where the royal children once learned to swim on sunnier days, plus you can explore family and state rooms. There’s also ​​a fun museum in the Swiss Cottage and the royal collection to look at. It truly is a treasure trove for royalists and amateur historians. 

Notable Victorian design elements: The Italian palazzo style that Albert picked for Osborne House was incredibly popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. The romantic terraces connected by stairs, ornate gables, steeply pitched roofs and brick exterior features were all part of this.

Balmoral Castle

A lot of us will associate Balmoral with Queen Elizabeth II as it was one of her favourite homes but, it was actually another one of Victoria and Albert’s adored getaways first. They purchased the estate in 1852 and by 1856, Aberdeen architect, William Smith, had worked his magic. 

With a traditional aesthetic, Balmoral Castle is surrounded by a working estate where deer stalking, forestry, grouse shooting, and farming still take place. It is open to the public seasonally and during opening hours, you can play golf, look at exhibitions and have afternoon tea. 

Notable Victorian design elements: A sister trend of the neo-gothic style, Scottish Baronial style was big in the 19th century and heavily featured in Balmoral Castle’s design. The castle’s architecture includes a battlemented porte-cochère, a seven-story tower, crow-stepped gables, dormer windows and uneven roof lines – all classic Scottish Baronial elements.

Charles Dickens Museum 

If there’s one author that is easily associated with the Victorian period, it’s Charles Dickens. His works defined the era and have acted as a portal into the time for generations of readers. A literary pioneer, Charles’ life started in his family home: 48, Doughty Street.

This house now acts as a museum that you can visit, with the interior fully preserved to look as it once did. It has a vast collection of Dickens’s belongings, including illustrations and important documents from his life. 

Notable Victorian design elements: Charles Dickens may have been extraordinary but, with a basement kitchen, bare wooden floors, a morning room, drawing room and wash house, his childhood home is actually a very typical middle-class Victorian building. 

The Workhouse and Infirmary

Victorian-era design showcased the decadence and evolution of the time but, when we reflect on it, examples of the extreme poverty and struggle that occurred also still exist and are worth a visit. Built just before Queen Victoria’s reign in 1824, this old workhouse in Nottinghamshire is now a place for visitors to learn about how workhouses operated in the Victorian period. 

The Workhouse and Infirmary has exhibitions, activities and guided tours, all designed to give guests a true sense of what things were like for those who suffered through workhouse life at that time.

Notable Victorian design elements: Many workhouses of the period were designed to look like a prison, and this is no different. The design is squared and was divided into blocks for men, women, and children. There is also a large dining room that may be smaller than the one in Oliver Twist, but still has the same bare aesthetic. 

Royal Albert Hall

Built in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall was a sad reminder of Prince Albert, who had commissioned it nearly two decades before. Queen Victoria attended the opening but was said to be extremely emotional and unable to officially declare it open (the Prince of Wales would do the honours for her). Despite this, it became one of London’s most popular entertainment venues. 

Still acting as a concert hall to this day, everyone from Dame Shirley Bassey to Led Zeppelin have performed there. You can check out a performance within the historic walls or take a tour of the venue, either way, it is a stunning location. 

Notable Victorian design elements: The Royal Albert Hall is a beautiful showcase of terracotta frieze and brickwork, which were both greatly favoured by Victorians. In that time, treasured items and events were commonly housed under a glazed dome, hence why the hall has one. The nature-inspired shields used in the design are also very of the time. 

Insurance for your Victorian Home 

Acting as a landmark in your life, you’ll want the right insurance for your property. Adrian Flux is a broker that understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Famous Victorian landmarks in the UK appeared first on Victorian Homes.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at how you can manage it in your home, discussing prevention techniques and ways to remedy it if you’re unlucky enough to be faced with it. 

What is damp?

Damp is where there is too much moisture in a space. It can be caused by rainwater, poor ventilation, or, in some cases, an issue with the home like a defective plumbing system. If left untreated, damp can cause damage to your home. 

The main signs of damp are:

• Discolouration or ‘damp patches’ on your walls
• Peeled paint or wallpaper 
• A lot of condensation throughout the house
• A stale or musty smell 
• Cold walls even if your home is well heated
• Rotted woodwork, floorboards or skirting boards
• Efflorescence – where salt appears on a surface in deposits 
• Structural damage to areas like your fireplace
• The presence of mould 

How can you prevent damp in your home?

Ventilation 

The best way to prevent damp in your home in the first place is to ventilate the space properly. This should be done as regularly as possible.

We’d recommend opening the windows and doors in your home once a day for a maximum of 20 minutes to get air circulating in your home. You could also air out a room after you turn off the radiators to avoid condensation. This will be tough in the height of winter but worth it to protect your home. 

Home hacks

Especially in the spring and summer, you should dry your washing outside to prevent any condensation in your home.

You can also ensure that when cooking, you use lids with your pots and pans when appropriate and utilise your extractor fan (which will easily remove moisture in a kitchen so needs to be installed if you don’t have one).  

For added protection, a dehumidifier could help too. They filter and clean the air in a room, removing excess moisture which is obviously very helpful when preventing damp and mould. If you’re unable to dry your washing outside, lots of dehumidifiers also have indoor laundry modes to help dry your clothes faster, and more efficiently, without allowing excess moisture into your home. 

Smart renovations 

When renovating your period or damp-prone home, you may want to take some precautions to prevent damp. 

We recommend considering the materials you’re using, for example: 

• Instead of using cement or gypsum, try lime plaster which is more breathable 
• Use a primer with polymers before you apply paint or wallpaper 
• Try to use natural or damp-proof paints where possible 
• Apply bitumen to existing cement or brickwork 
• Butyl rubber and copper are also great waterproof options to use in a house 

Try to avoid the use of plastic coatings, paints and membranes plus silicones, epoxy resins and polyurethane insulation as these aren’t the most breathable material options.

Professional assistance 

It isn’t essential in most cases, but you can hire a professional to inject damp-proof cream into the masonry walls of your home. This will create a water-resistant barrier that should prevent damp damage.  

A professional could also install ground-level and basement waterproofing or, even more importantly, a Damp Proof Course (DPC). A DPC is a barrier that stops rising damp. There are multiple types so, a professional may be a better choice for deciding which kind will work for your home. 

What should you do to remedy damp in your property?

If you’re already struggling with damp, there are ways you can combat it so don’t panic. Dehumidifiers and proper ventilation, just like with prevention, can be incredibly helpful but, there are other methods.

The best ways to tackle damp in your home are:

Repair cracks

Cracks are easy access for rainwater to get into your home so, whether you have damp or not, getting them repaired as quickly as possible is important. Doing this is quite simple.

1. Clean the crack – Use a brush to gently remove any dust or dirt. It is unlikely that you will need any water or cleaning solution for this 
2. Prep the crack – A primer or bonding agent being applied to the crack before filling it can make a world of difference. The repair will then hold and look better 
3. Fill the crack –  Using caulk, epoxy putty or spackling compound (depending on the wall), you can then fill in the crack 
4. Seal the crack – To finish the job, you can then apply damp seal paint (wait to dry) before painting the wall properly. This will help to further prevent damp coming through 

Remove debris

Water ingress can occur when your downpipes and gutters become clogged with debris. Check and clean them regularly, especially if you have noticed damp already. 

It’s also best to check for cracks in your gutters and tend to them quickly with a sealant. 

Check the roof

Water can build up on your roof, especially after heavy rainfall. While you’re checking your gutters, check your roof to see if that’s where excess moisture is coming from. 

You can place tarpaulin over this temporarily before you clear that area and use roof tar to seal the damaged areas. An alternative fix could be applying a roof patch and sealing the edges with caulk. 

Tackle the mould

With damp can come mould and when you spot the first signs of this in your home, it needs to be dealt with because it can negatively affect your health if left untreated and begins to spread. Use a mould spray or diluted vinegar to remove it – you may also need to gently scrub the area with a sponge.

After removal, paint that wall with a damp seal to help prevent it returning.

Fix your heating 

Heating your house properly can help to prevent damp but if you already have it, that’s even more of a reason to change how you heat your home. Consistent low heating (around 18 degrees) during the winter can reduce damp significantly in your home because it is more common in cold conditions because of condensation. 

Bring in professionals

If the damp is bad, you could look into professional treatment. We have mentioned preventive treatments they may use above but when it comes to remedies, there are a couple of methods you could use:

• Electro-osmosis damp proofing – Where anodes in your walls and a copper cathode in the ground, plus a power regulator, are used to send an electric current that repels moisture. This is especially good for rising damp 
• Installing a damp-proof membrane – This can be used to prevent future damp and helps to remove fungus and mould from a space 

For those of you who are about to commit to buying a property but want to double-check on the damp situation (or any other issues), you can pay for a homebuyer surveyor (make sure they’re Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) approved). They take a look at the visible parts of a house and then give you a report which will include evidence of any existing damp. This will prepare you for any future treatment if you go forward with purchasing that property. 

Insuring your Victorian Home

However you tackle damp in your home, you may also be considering what insurance will work for your property. Adrian Flux is a broker who understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.

Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: Managing damp appeared first on Victorian Homes.

If you’re looking to take inspiration from the Victorians or are just wondering what modern Christmas traditions come from that era, we’ve put together a handy guide for you. 

Queen Victoria’s impact on Christmas 

When Queen Victoria married her beloved Bavarian husband, Prince Albert, she welcomed some German Christmas traditions into the royal household. When Albert died, Victoria would hold onto these traditions to keep his memory alive. Whatever the monarch did, the rest of the nation would follow suit and this is why many of our festive favourites actually have German roots. 

Decorating Christmas trees 

One of the most treasured activities that Prince Albert made popular was decorating a tree in the home. He would fill a whole room in Windsor Castle with them, with one tree even being suspended from the roof. 

His love for Christmas trees came from his childhood, and he passed that on to his and Victoria’s children. About this, he wrote; “I must now seek in the children an echo of what Ernst (his brother) and I were in the old time, of what we felt and thought; and their delight in the Christmas trees is not less than ours used to be.” 

We should note that George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, was also German and brought decorated evergreen trees for Christmas over to England in 1800 but this wouldn’t gain traction like it would in the Victorian era. 

The royal couple loved to add lit candles and trinkets to several trees in their home and when an illustration of them, along with their children, decorating their tree circulated in 1850, it inspired the nation. 

We may have traded the lit candles for more safe lighting options, but the way we decorate modern Christmas trees isn’t much different. The use of tinsel, glass balls (now baubles), small toys, popcorn strings, fan ornaments, and angels were all popular picks that are still used today. 

If you want to incorporate some Victorian style into your Christmas tree decorating, we recommend combining bought ornaments with homemade pieces, favouring warm green and red colours – the cosier the look, the better. 

The giving of gifts

Gift giving during the holiday season wasn’t introduced by the royal family or Victorians but they made it an event to be shared by the whole family. 

Queen Victoria was known for unwrapping gifts and spreading them out on the table for everyone to behold. She and Albert enjoyed giving extravagant presents like jewellery and artwork so these table spreads were always very impressive. 

Not every Victorian family could afford multiple gifts but the shared experience became part of many households, which can still be said in modern times. The royal children gave handmade gifts to their family and this is also still done today, adding a sentimental touch to festivities. 

Queen Victoria also enjoyed giving gifts of gratitude to some of her servants and the concept of charity during the holidays became a thing in the Victorian era too, with newspapers running Christmas appeals for the elderly, sick or those living in poverty. This was reflected in A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, which featured the themes of Christmas being about goodwill and sharing what you had. 

These days, as well as picking out the perfect present for those special to you, you could take a leaf out of the Victorian book and donate to your favourite charity, bring supplies to a food bank or do some volunteer work. 

Festive foods

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food and when it comes to the popularity of some of the classics, we have Albert and Victoria to thank again. 

The royals of the time influenced the rest of the country with their spectacular Christmas feasts and at the centre of these was always a turkey. Poultry was then favoured across the UK but, for those who didn’t have the means, a goose was a good replacement. 

As for dessert, the royal family loved a mince pie or two and Queen Victoria is said to lace the Christmas pudding with something alcoholic. Victoria adored a family game where they set fire to a bowl of alcohol-soaked raisins and tried to retrieve as many as possible. This was called Snapdragon and is obviously extremely dangerous. We recommend using a delicious brandy for your dessert instead of lighting any sweet treats on fire.  

Other Victorian festive staples 

It wasn’t just the royal family setting Christmas trends in the Victorian era, the whole of the United Kingdom would play its part in making traditions that we still enjoy in the 21st century. 

Christmas cards

Yes, Victorians were responsible for the invention of Christmas cards. In 1843, the first director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, Sir Henry Cole, introduced them, commissioning artist, J.C. Horsley, to create a greetings card that featured a festive scene on it. 

Only 1,000 were printed and sold but they would become a mainstay of the holidays. Many of us now proudly display all of our greeting cards during the month of December. 

Crackers 

A set Christmas dinner table will always look incomplete without a selection of crackers to pull with your loved ones. Middle-class Victorians found themselves with more disposable income and became big fans of novelty items like Christmas crackers, which were invented in 1847, by London baker Tom Smith. They were initially designed for all types of events but as time has passed, they have proven to work perfectly for Christmas. 

A testament to the Victorian love of cosy aesthetics, the iconic ‘pop’ of a cracker was actually inspired by the sounds of a crackling fire. Tom’s son, Walter then added the familiar contents, including paper hats and small toys. If you’re wondering about the (sometimes terrible) jokes we tend to find in crackers today, they were originally poems and not added until the 1930s.

If you want to add a pop of colour to your Christmas table, you could pick brightly coloured crackers – these were also the popular choice in the Victorian era.  

Handmade decorations 

Reflecting the industrial boom of the time, Victorians loved to craft at home, with many Christmas decorations being handmade. Inspired by medieval decor, the decorations used natural foliage, wood, fresh fruit, and ribbon to create unique trinkets and decorations that adorned the home. 

If you want to do it like the Victorians and make something yourself, ivy leaves, willow sticks, poinsettias, and pine cones are great, authentic choices. You can make a mantelpiece garland or wreath for your front door with these too. Victorians also enjoyed having mistletoe hung in their doorways but, as it can be slightly poisonous, we recommend using fake mistletoe to recreate that. 

Parlour games

Victorians didn’t invent games at Christmas but many of your favourite parlour games were created by them. Before smart technology, television or even the radio, there was nothing better than gathering with your loved ones on Christmas Day and playing a silly game. As mentioned above, the dangerous game of Snapdragon was popular with the royals.

Popular Christmas parlour games from that period that we still play today include: 

• Charades 
• Piggy Squeak
• Blindman’s Bluff
• Musical Chairs 
• Pass the slipper 
• Lookabout 
• Dictionary 
• The Sculptor 

Insuring your Victorian home 

During the festive period and beyond, you’ll want insurance that works for you and your home. Adrian Flux is an insurance broker who understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post How to celebrate Christmas like a Victorian appeared first on Victorian Homes.

Fireplace restoration may appear daunting at first but it doesn’t have to be. There are simple steps you can take to preserve yours so, in this blog, we’re running through each one to help you get your fireplace back to working order.

The history of Victorian fireplaces

As prosperity in the era rose, Victorians began to embrace distinctive architecture – and nothing represented that ornamentation more than the fireplace. Despite their practical use, they were seen as more of a status symbol by middle and upper-class Victorians, with many featuring unique design features that are easily noticeable today. 

For functionality and style, the era welcomed elegant, streamlined fireplaces with sleek lines, geometric designs and elevated shapes. They came in darker colours, reflecting the gothic trend of the time and solidifying them as a practical piece for the home, not just a decorative feature. 

Staples of fireplaces from the time included medieval or gothic motifs, intricately designed tiles and carvings, cast iron surrounds, marble fireplace hearths, and grand mantelpieces. The exteriors were typically made from marble, wood, or stone with a cast iron or tiled insert. 

Victorian England was a time of industry and innovation and we as a country were proud of this. Because of that, many fireplace designs would feature imagery of factories and trains. This need for domestic evolution would also lead to the invention of the coal grate, which was designed to allow the controlled burning of fuel when using a fireplace.

Victorian fireplaces showed off craftsmanship and having a working one in your home today is quite special. 

Restoring a working Victorian fireplace 

Uncover the fireplace if it’s boarded up

As interior trends have changed over the years, many Victorian fireplaces have unfortunately been painted, plastered or boarded over. If this is the case in your home, you can still take steps to uncover the original. 

Before you do so, make sure your space is well-ventilated, you wear the right protective gear, and your floors are safeguarded with old sheets. 

If it’s a cast iron fireplace and painted over, especially with lead paint, you can use a specialised paint stripper. Apply it and let it dry for as long as possible, but don’t let it fully dry before you use a stripping knife or wire brush to remove it (wipe off any residue once done). Don’t use water to clean afterwards, stick to white spirit or a specialised cleaning solution. You can then use a protective metal primer, especially if you plan on repainting.

For stone fireplaces, there are pastes that emulsify the paint which will make it easier to peel off. Paint will cling to every crevice of the stone so, you may need to use a scrubbing brush or scraper to remove the rest. You can then clean the stone with an acid gel to finish it off.

A gel-like paint stripper is the best place to start with a wood fireplace. After this, you can use sandpaper and vinegar on a cloth to remove any leftover paint. 

If your fireplace is covered by plaster, you can actually use a hammer and masonry chisel to remove it, just be careful. A pry bar can help to remove larger chunks of plaster but make sure you don’t go too deep. 

Repair any damage

With age sometimes comes small bits of superficial damage but these are easily repaired with the right tools. For health and safety, if the damage is more substantial, you may need to call in a professional. 

Cracks can be fixed by using refractory caulk (there are some rated for fireplaces). Just ensure the area is completely clean beforehand. Small cracks don’t stay small for long so make sure that you act quickly.

If any of the tiles are broken, it can be tempting to use an adhesive as a quick fix but we would recommend replacing them. You can either search for a matching original or a replica. If your fireplace doesn’t have tiles, it may be possible to add some – this could bring some life to the area and make it a focal point in the room.

Rust isn’t uncommon with cast iron fireplaces and can contribute to further damage. If it’s minor rust, you can use a chemical-free solution made from ingredients in your kitchen and a wire brush to remove it. Rock salt and lemon juice or baking soda with a splash of water would work well. For more intense rust, you can use a specialised rust remover. Whatever cleaner you use, make sure you buff in a circular motion and wipe away the residue. 

Clean your fireplace

A key part of the restoration process is cleaning your fireplace before and during regular use. You’ll know your fireplace really needs a clean if your fires aren’t burning as well as usual, there’s a lot of smoke coming from it or there is an intense smell. 

Always make sure your fireplace is completely cooled down and any debris is removed with a fireplace shovel before you attempt to clean it. 

To then start cleaning, remove any grates and irons to clean separately. You should sweep and vacuum away dust from them and then clean them with methylated spirit and a cloth, wiping gently. You can then use iron paste or grate polish to get a shiny finish. 

All types of fireplaces need sweeping regularly, removing soot and ash ideally after each use. You should try to give it a thorough clean weekly while it’s being used a lot in the winter using a soft scrub brush and cleaning solution (dish soap and water will also do the trick). If your fireplace has any glass, you can also use a glass cleaner. 

For the exterior, you may want to use a specialist multi-metal or cast iron polish. Wear protective gloves and clothing and then use a soft cloth to apply the polish. Choose a graphite finish for a more subtle look but, if you want a more intense shine, a black polish may be better. 

Another part of keeping your fireplace clean is booking a chimney sweep each year. It’s best to get a sweep in just before regular use in the winter or if it hasn’t been used in a long time. 

You may also want to ensure you’re burning the right materials to prevent unnecessary soot and smoke build-up. Dry logs and smokeless coal are the best options.

Add your adornments 

Looking to truly elevate your fireplace? Adding a finishing touch like a fire grate, mantelpiece or fender seat could create that luxe feel while staying faithful to your Victorian space. 

Fire grates keep intense heat off the chimney floor and fender seats surround the fireplace hearth to protect it from logs and coal rolling. Both of these are practical elements that create the traditional aesthetic that many period property owners want.

Mantelpieces were originally created to catch rising smoke but they became a decorative staple, especially in the Victorian era. If you don’t have one, we’d recommend including one in your space after you have finished restoring the rest of your fireplace. 

Insuring your Victorian Home

As you put in the work to restore your fireplace, you may be considering what insurance will work for your home. Adrian Flux is an insurance broker who understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: Working fireplaces appeared first on Victorian Homes.

When thinking of furnishing a Victorian home, flat-pack furniture may not be what immediately comes to mind. Admittedly, many of today’s flat-pack options may seem better suited to the modern home but, with an ever-increasing range of styles and some clever customisation tricks, it’s now easier than ever to incorporate affordable flat-pack furniture into your period home and make it look the part.   

For ideas on how to add some flat-pack furniture to your space, take a look at our simple tips and tricks.

Replicating vintage furniture 

It will be tempting to fill your period property with vintage furniture pieces that match the space, but that isn’t a realistic option for everyone. Vintage pieces aren’t always the most cost-effective option and they can sometimes be very hard to find. Which is why you’ll be pleased to know that there are many flat-pack replicas out there that look just as good at a fraction of the price. 

We’d recommend researching a style that you like and think will suit the existing features in your house and then seeing if you can find some flat-pack furniture that matches. Look for darker woods, ornate and intricate designs, floral patterns, and metal embellishments.  

DIY wardrobes using flat-packs

If you’re up for a DIY project which will result in something quite unique, you can use the carcass of a flat-pack wardrobe to create your own custom-built version with just a few little extras to make the piece feel more in keeping with your period home.

Many flat-pack wardrobes come in a variety of colours and finishes and can be made to your specifications and size requirements, allowing you to create one that perfectly fits your space. One of the most popular is IKEA’s PAX system, which you can design yourself.

To bring the furniture even more in line with your period home, you could consider adding mouldings or a decorative trim to your wardrobe doors to achieve a more ornate look. You could also swap out the wardrobe’s existing door handles or knobs, incorporating vintage or replica-vintage styles for even more character.

If you’re contemplating fitted wardrobes but are conscious of the cost, flat-packs might also be the answer!  You can utilise alcoves on either side of your Victorian home’s chimney breasts to build your own DIY, fitted wardrobes and take full advantage of the space. With just some MDF, moulding and caulk, you can affordably transform your flat-packs into custom-fitted furniture.  

You could follow the same process with chests of drawers or IKEA’s Platsa range – a selection of interchangeable and stackable pieces – to build fitted furniture in unused alcoves or awkward corners of your home.  

With proper planning and careful measuring, using flat-packs in this manner can be a really affordable way of incorporating customised designs into your home, allowing you to get the period look without the premium price. 

Changing the look of your furniture

A lot of flat-pack furniture looks more expensive than it actually is, but you can always take things a little further to elevate the look of a piece. 

Sanding

With Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) furniture, you can sand it down to make it appear more like real wood. There are a couple of different techniques you can use.

Because MDF may be more fragile, we recommend using medium-grit (120) sandpaper to start the process, going with the grain of the wood and then finishing with 220 sandpaper for a smooth feel and professional look. You may need a sanding block to complete any corners.

Remember to wear gear like a mask, gloves, and protective glasses and make sure you remove the excess dust created by the process. 

Painting

You can stop at just sanding your piece, but this sanding can also be used to prepare for a paint job. You may want to add a pop of colour with a standard furniture-friendly paint that matches your colour scheme, or you might like to try and replicate a hardwood or rustic wood aesthetic.

Brands like Rust-Oleum offer a range of weathered wood style paints to achieve the rustic look, while wood grain paint tools, brushes and rollers can be used with stains and paints to mimic the knots and grains of real wood. These tools can be used to create a trendy-looking piece without breaking the bank. 

Vinyl wraps

For flat-pack cabinets with glass inserts, adding a vinyl wrap to mimic the style of ribbed glass can be a simple but effective upgrade. This style was popular in the art deco period, so for a Victorian property, it’s a wonderful choice. 

To avoid air bubbles, make sure you remove dust and residue from the surface and that you take your time. You should also cut your vinyl wrap to size before application, ensuring each piece has some allowance to fit the glass insert. 

Reupholstery 

Flat-pack bed headboard feeling a little lack-lustre? Selecting a new fabric in keeping with your chosen style and reupholstering it may be a winning option for you. Though this can be done professionally, if you’re feeling brave and have the right tools, reupholstery can be easily attempted at home. 

Alternatively, you could ditch the headboard altogether and replace it with a decorative room divider behind your bed that matches your home’s decor. Victorians were big fans of beautifully designed room dividers so this trick would work well for a period property with smaller rooms. 

Replace the handles

Don’t want to make any major changes? Changing the handles on flat-pack furniture can make a big visual impact with minimal effort. Just buy some knobs or handles that suit your style and replace any that you want to upgrade. 

Victorians loved exquisite ironmongery when it came to their choice of knobs, so if you want to match that, try incorporating matching gold or brass handles with intricate designs into your furniture and interior design. 

Insuring your Victorian home

As you deck out your space with some new furniture, you may be wondering about your home insurance. Adrian Flux can help you find a policy that works for you and your home. 
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post The best ways to incorporate flat-pack furniture into your period home appeared first on Victorian Homes.

Whether you’re lucky enough to have originals in your Victorian home and want to preserve them or you want to add them to your space, we’ve put together a guide to help you out. 

What is the difference between picture and dado rails?

Though both act as decorative mouldings that run along interior walls, there is a slight difference between the positioning of picture rails and dado rails that completely changes their practical use too. 

Picture rails

These will sit higher up on a wall (around 300mm to 500mm from the ceiling), making them perfect for displaying pictures and artwork further up while preventing damage to your walls. They’re also great at making a roomappear more spacious than it actually is. 

The different types of picture rails include:

• Wooden (pine or oak)
• Metal (aluminium or steel)
• Brass
• MDF (moulded medium-density fibreboard)
• PVC/plastic

Dado rails

Dado is also used to describe part of a pedestal or plinth between the base and cornice, which inspired the style of the dado rail. 

Unlike picture rails, dado rails sit lower, around chair height. They’re typically installed to protect the walls from furniture bumping into them but Victorians would sometimes place them higher up to hide damp marks or separate panelling. 

The different types of dado rails include:

• Wood
• Ceramic (can include tiling) 
• Marble 

The history of picture and dado rails 

Despite both becoming incredibly popular in the Victorian era, picture rails and dado rails have been decor staples for much longer. 

Dado rails came first as they were inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. The interior use of the rails began in the Georgian era as, in many homes, furniture was placed against the walls unless in use. Georgians were big fans of fabric-lined walls so they needed extra protection which is where dado rails came into play. 

The use of dado rails lost traction at the start of the Victorian era but had a huge resurgence, with the middle and upper classes enjoying them as an aesthetic choice. They became so popular that these rails tend to be associated with the Victorian era with many originals still being featured in homes today.

As for picture rails, these were first seen in 15th century Europe becoming popular throughout the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. They were originally used to hang tapestries but evolved to be decorative items themselves, with intricate designs being incorporated.

Highly decorated picture rails were favoured in the Victorian era and they were used to display equally elaborate pieces of art by the upper classes. They fell out of favour in new builds around the 1970s but many Victorian properties still feature them. 

Will picture and dado rails work for your home?

In the last two decades especially, contemporary interiors have omittedthese more classical elements, with many us optingfor a more minimalistic approach. This is again changing however, with many interior trends beginning to embrace a house’s original features once more. 

The decorative appeal of picture and dado rails, along with panelling, has been getting a lot of attention recently, so if you’re lucky enough to have originalsfrom the Victorian period in your home, hold onto them!

If you don’t already have them, you may wish to consider installing some. Textured walls and the use of wood in the home are bang on trend so, picture and dado rails can work perfectly for that. 

How to style them in your home

Picture rails obviously help with styling your space because you can use them when decorating your walls but, like the Victorians, you can also choose railings with designs carved into them so they’re decorative by themselves.

They can also create the illusion of a higher ceiling. Paint your chosen colour over the picture rail and continue with it up to just under the room’s cornice. This will draw your eyes upwards. 

As for dado rails, you can paint them the same colour as your wall or make them pop with a different shade or colour altogether. Two-toned walls are on trend, plus it’s easy to achieve. A lighter shade can make a space feel bigger. 

Dado rails also come in a plethora of designs including an elegant Georgian design, the simple Edwardian choice, a classic Ogee look, or something more contemporary.

Installing picture rails in your home 

Want to install some picture rails? The process isn’t as complicated as you would think. 

1. Prep and measure 

Before you do anything, make sure the walls have been cleaned and dusted and any art or wallpaper has been removed from them. You’ll want a blank canvas. 

2. Cut to size 

You will then want to measure each wall and mark out those measurements on the railing material you have chosen. 

After the measurements have been marked out and double-checked, you’ll want to cut the railing. We recommend using a mitre or fine saw for this. 

You’ll want to cut your rails on a slanted angle so the ends slot into the corners of your room correctly and you can do this with a mitre box to assist you.

3. Positioning 

Use a spirit level and measuring tape to mark where on the wall you want to place the railing. Then use chalk or pencil to draw the guidelines. You’ll need at least one other person to help you with the next bit. 

Hold up the rail against the wall marking, lining it up and using the spirit level to ensure its level. 

4. Nailing it down 

You can use light adhesive or glue to keep the railing temporarily in place while you nail it down but another person holding it very still can also work in a pinch. 

We recommend drilling a nail or wall stud every 50cm to secure your railing. Double-check it isn’t loose and then also check the corners have lined up. Caulk can help with filling any gaps or if you can’t get them to line up perfectly. 

5. Finishing touches

You can now paint over your picture rails or leave them as is and hang paintings, pictures and other pieces of artwork onto them. The choice is yours. 

Installing Dado rails in your home

Due to their similar nature, installing dado rails will be the same process as above but, instead of placing the railing high up, you’ll be doing it lower down. Make sure whoever is helping you is prepared to crouch down at points.

Insuring your newly-decorated Victorian Home 

After all that decorating, you’ll want the right insurance for your home. At Adrian Flux, we know how important this will be, which is why we’ll use our expertise to help you find effective household insurance for your Victorian property. 
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: Picture and dado rails appeared first on Victorian Homes.

Examples of decorative tiling come from as early as the Egyptian era, but, thanks to mass production with machines from the time, became incredibly popular in Victorian homes. 

If you’re wondering how to incorporate the use of tiles into your Victorian home, whether it is utilising original features or adding something contemporary, we’re taking a look at the best tiling trends in 2024 – perfect for home decor fans everywhere. 

Where did Victorians showcase tiling in their homes?

If you’re looking to keep your home authentic to the period, Victorian-style tiled floors are the best place to start. In more recent years, bathrooms and kitchens are more likely to have tiled floors but Victorians made a statement by tiling their hallways too. They even used the tiles to create messages on their floors, acting as a more sophisticated version of a ‘welcome’ matt.  

Speaking of statements, if you’re looking for some more inspiration Victorians would also add decorative ceramic tiles to their walls and around their fireplaces. 

Tiling trends in 2024

Dopamine decor 

When we think of the Victorian era and interior design, we think of rich, dark colours like brown, burgundy and navy. You can get tiling in those colours for a more traditional aesthetic, but Victorians didn’t completely shy away from more exciting colour palettes. 

Colour can impact our moods for better or worse, so, in 2024, trends are favouring vibrant and bright colours to boost your mood or calming colours to bring homeowners a sense of peace. You can achieve this with your choice of paint and tiling too. 

These are a few possible tile colours to help with your mood:

• Green – Victorians had a preference for emerald and mint shades but a full spectrum of greens can work for your home. This will evoke feelings of tranquillity and renewal.
• Pink – Incorporating this into your home should create a feeling of hopefulness. Blush tones were a fan favourite in the late 1800s and early 1900s as Victorians loved pastel shades.
• Purple – As Victorians enjoyed dark and pastel shades, this is a perfect pick for your tiles. Purple is seen as a calming colour, ideal for creative environments, plus it is bang on trend.  
• Gold – The colour of success, gold always adds a touch of luxury, which is why the Victorians adored it. Metallic tiling is also trending so this choice is a win-win. 
• Blue – Yes, Victorians did tend to favour darker blues but any shade can work in a modern home, looking blissful in tile form. For a feeling of serenity and relaxation, blue is for you.  

Modern geometrics

In the first half of the Victorian era, black and white was all the rage when it came to tiling. This typically came in the form of geometric patterns like stripes, chequers, and diamonds. 

Good news for those who have existing geometric tiling in their Victorian home as this is trending again. 

For those wanting to add this to their property, you can purchase tiles with the pattern on them or create the pattern with alternating black and white tiles. The classic chequerboard tile look can work on the walls and as flooring for that authentic, Victorian look. 

Stone cold

Stone features weren’t uncommon in Victorian properties, but stone tiling is definitely more of a contemporary choice, making it a stylish option to update your space. 

From granite and onyx to quartzite and oh-so-chic marble, stone tiles look elegant in a kitchen or bathroom, but they’re a practical choice too. Not only do stone tiles come in a range of colours but they’re durable and easy to clean too. 

Textured tiles

A trend that everyone can enjoy, textured tiles have taken over 2024. Mosaic tiles remain as popular today as they were in the Victorian era but there are other ways to add this trend into your home. 

You can combine trends and pick out some polished stone tiles or go for something more unique like carving effect tiling. Textured tiles can be used as statement pieces or to create a more natural look within a space. 

Floral favourites

Floral tiling seems to have a resurgence every few years, with new iterations popping up to break the mould. There is a reason for this: they look beautiful, whether you pick out a classic, elegant look or go for something more fun and trendy. 

Victorians adored floral motifs, especially when it came to the tiles they picked out. If you have original floral tiles from that period, we’d recommend keeping them or, if you’re changing up your interior, you can move them into your garden space, placing them on exterior walls. 

Insuring your newly tiled Victorian home

When you have put so much time and effort into your home, you’ll want the right insurance for it. At Adrian Flux, we know how important this is, which is why we’ll use our expertise to help you find effective household insurance for your Victorian property. 
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post The best 2024 tiling trends for your Victorian home appeared first on Victorian Homes.

Whether your Victorian home already has some authentic woodwork or you want to incorporate some into your property, we’ve curated a guide all about styling and preserving it. 

The history of woodwork in the Victorian era

When many think of Victorian woodwork, dark woods like mahogany and a slightly gothic look may come to mind, but there is a lot more to it than that. 

Lighter woods like rosewood and walnut were also common, being used for ornate and eye-catching elements, like carved panels and doors, within the home. Wood was featured exteriorly and interiorly with homeowners experimenting with different finishes, including natural, painted, and varnished.  

At the beginning of the era, paint was favoured as the more traditional finish for woodwork, with deep and rich colours being incredibly popular. The ‘three gradations of colour’ method was also common. This was lighter-coloured ceilings, darker walls and even darker woodwork accents within a room. 

As the era progressed, homeowners from all classes began to embrace bare wood features, ditching the paint and varnish and adding more chestnut and southern pine. This can be seen as the first introduction of the ‘rustic’ aesthetic that we know today.  

By the end of the Victorian era, there was a mixture of simplistic wood features and then the introduction of more decorative and detailed wood elements, with oak becoming popular. 

How to incorporate woodwork into your home 

Ornate details 

The Victorian ‘aesthetic movement’ peaked between 1870 and 1890 and this included wooden elements that had a lot of intricate design details. Doors, mantelpieces, furniture, and built-ins would be adorned with carvings. The most popular were curling patterns, bows, leaves, vines and flowers. 

Panels & rails 

Your home may already have these but if not, consider adding them to your home in a natural or painted wood. Tongue and groove panelling and dado rails were some of the most popular styles of the time that can still effortlessly fit into a modern home. 

Colonial colouring 

These days, throwback fashion is incredibly popular but things weren’t that different for Victorians. Thanks to the Colonial revival, wealthier Victorians would use dark oak in their homes for furniture, panels and rails. A more cost-effective option was to stain existing wooden features. This led to the more gothic look that the era is known for and is very easy to replicate in a modern home. 

Floors & doors

Victorians made the most of every part of their houses, including rich wooden floorboards, grand door frames and beautifully designed doors. Intricate and neat designs on wooden floorboards were seen as a status symbol and expression of wealth. One of the most popular examples of this was parquet flooring.

Doors and door frames also had elaborate designs, with the wood carefully preserved and possibly the addition of stained glass. 

Affluence could also be expressed through exotic, imported woods like ebony, kingwood, and padouk wood that were then incorporated into the home. 

Fashionable furniture 

If you want to incorporate Victorian woodwork subtly into your home, furniture is an easy addition. Think mahogany dining chairs with an upholstery finish in the kitchen, walnut writing desks in the study or hallway, antique drinks cabinets in the living room, and pine dressers in the bedroom. 

These can be found from an antique shop hunt or by purchasing replicas.  

The best ways to preserve Victorian woodwork

If you’re lucky enough to have original wooden features from the Victorian era in your home, you may want to restore or preserve them so you can enjoy them for years to come. 

Firstly, cleaning is key. Weekly dusting and a deeper clean every couple of months can help to preserve your Victorian woodwork. Dilute washing up liquid or distilled white vinegar in water and lightly scrub the wood with a sponge. For more intricate carvings, you can use a small paintbrush. 

One of the best ways to preserve antique woodwork without damaging it is with finishing wax. It’s protective, nourishes the wood, and adds a lovely sheen, whether it’s flooring, furniture, or on the walls. Antique wood should be dusted and then waxed regularly (at least once a year). You can combine the wax with linseed oil for a more impressive shine. 

For added durability, if it hasn’t been varnished already, a coat of varnish also protects wooden furniture. Note that water-based varnishes weren’t invented until the 20th century so, if you’re a purist, you may want to stick to the wax. 

If you are cleaning or varnishing wooden features above or around your Victorian fireplace, make sure the products you use aren’t flammable. 

Restoring your Victorian woodwork

With older wooden flooring especially, you may want to sand it down as part of the restoring process before you add the new finish. Before this, make sure you have secured loose floorboards and replaced any broken ones. 

To remove stains and scratches, begin with coarse-grit sandpaper and lightly remove the finish. If this isn’t enough, you can move on to finer grits or an edge sander for the edges. Make sure you don’t sand against the grain of the wood or you could create more scratches. 

Insuring your Victorian property 

When you put a lot of effort into restoring and preserving your Victorian home, whether it’s with the woodwork or other elements, you’ll want to ensure your efforts are protected with the right insurance. Adrian Flux is an insurance broker who understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: How to celebrate Victorian woodwork in your home appeared first on Victorian Homes.

With brass in homeware trending again, we’re looking at how the Victorians did it and how you can incorporate it into your home, whether you have a Victorian property or just want the look.  

The history of brass homeware in the Victorian era  

Though first used by the Egyptians, brass wasn’t easily accessible until the 18th century due to the high melting point of zinc oxide, which is used to make zinc metal, the basis of brass. It would then begin to be used more widely. 

With Queen Victoria’s reign came the brass boom. Brass is incredibly durable, with it being almost corrosion resistant, but it also has a decadent look to it, making it the perfect choice for the interior and exterior of Victorian homes. 

As the Industrial Revolution of the time continued, many Victorians began to long for the opulence of the past, romanticising the elegant look of brass compared to other metals that were being used.

From steam engines and doorknobs to boilers and musical instruments, brass had many practical uses, so it became one of the most used materials of that period, with many items made then still being usable today. 

When it comes to aesthetic brass antiques, better suited to home decor, these (plus modern replicas) are still very much in demand. 

The different brass types 

Pure brass

This type of brass is purely metal, just copper and zinc melted together. Practically, pure brass is best for plumbing, door hinges, and locks. It is also the best choice for more decorative items due to its natural shine. 

Brass alloy 

Unlike pure brass, this can be made by combining multiple metals, including, iron, aluminium, silicon, manganese, lead and tin. Brass alloy is a great choice for electrical equipment and making instruments. 

How to incorporate brass into your home 

Luxurious lighting

As Victorian Brits moved on from oil lamps, how the home was lit began to matter more, which was, of course, an excuse to add a touch of opulence too. Brass sconces and chandeliers were a popular choice as they were true showpieces that exuded wealth. This hasn’t changed in the modern day so could easily be added to your space. 

If you’re already happy with your interior lighting, brass candelabras and candlesticks are a subtle way of embracing this Victorian trend. 

Practical elements 

Simple but effective, small but practical brass elements are always a winner. Brass hinges, door knockers, and doorknobs on your doors, possibly combined with some ornate woodwork and stained glass are elegant and easy to install. 

Accessorising 

Another easy option, if you don’t want to fuss over different installations, adding some brass accessories. From picture frames and inkwells to figurines and clocks, there’s a plethora of brass home decor items you can pick from. 

You can find authentic versions of these accessories in antique shops or seek out replicas. 

Bedtime brass

We can’t talk about brass in Victorian homes without mentioning the iron and brass beds, also known as French-style beds, that were so fashionable at the time. For those who love the brass trend and want an elegant bed frame, this style could be for you.

Bathroom bliss

Many of us have probably fantasised about an evening spent in a big brass bathtub full of bubbles, but if that isn’t an option for your home, adding brass taps, shower heads, and towel rails is a simple way to elevate your bathroom space. 

How to preserve brass features

Brass doesn’t rust so, compared to other hardware choices, it is a lot easier to look after. Weekly dusting and polishing should keep it in check, but you can also use some beeswax and a cloth to protect it from tarnishing. 

For a deeper clean that won’t damage the brass, you can make a paste with flour, white vinegar, and a small amount of salt. Lightly buff it in and then remove with a cloth – this should remove existing tarnishes and leave behind a lovely shine. 

Insuring your Victorian property 

After adding elements of brass to your home, there’s even more reason to want the right insurance for it. Adrian Flux is an insurance broker who understands this and will help you find home insurance to suit you.
Call 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that works for you.

The post Responsible Restoration: Styling Victorian brass in your home appeared first on Victorian Homes.