Find the Right Place
Amanda had been looking for a property for over a year and viewed quite a few. Her and her partner knew this was ‘the one’ as soon as they arrived; they saw the fabulous front door and were sold! It sealed the deal when they walked into the living room with its log burner and big old beams, they loved it immediately. The rural setting and age of the barn also appealed. Although it felt a little neglected, Amanda could see that it could be a wonderful home and they weren’t afraid of rolling their sleeves up and getting stuck in!

Consider the light!
Before Amanda started decorating anywhere, she considered the aspect of each room and how much light they would get. It’s good to have an idea of the colours you would like to implement in individual rooms but depending on how much or how little sunlight a room gets depends on which shade to choose. A good rule of thumb is cooler tones for sunny rooms and warmer tones for not-so-sunny rooms as this balances things out. Having said that, there are no ‘rules’…go with what feels right for the space! Period properties can often be quite dark due to lower ceilings, dark features and enclosed spaces, however this doesn’t mean they have to feel dingy. Make the most out of the light on offer to you and brighter schemes to complement this.

If you don’t love it, don’t buy it!
A home evolves, it doesn’t happen overnight. Yes, the painting and decorating does but the bits and pieces you add afterwards are what make it. ‘Take your time in choosing your furniture and accessories and if you don’t love it, don’t buy it! You’ll end up changing your mind six months later (I know because I’ve done it)!’ says Amanda. No matter how old or new your property is, it’s important to fill it with things that make you smile…if you follow this advice, you won’t go far wrong.

Mix old and new
‘In an old property like ours that is so full of character, adding more contemporary items keeps things looking modern and up to date. It’s always a good idea to mix the old and the new as the older pieces make it feel homely and lived in and the new keep things fresh and modern’ explains Amanda. A great example of this is using an old piece of furniture such as a rustic bench and styling it with new cushions, that are in a print that you love!

Repurpose old items
Old things have stories that money can’t be and can be repurposed to suit a contemporary space. So, don’t think you have to get rid of all of your heirlooms and vintage items in order to create a modern feeling home. You can easily bring an older item into the 21st century by giving it a new purpose and lease of life. ‘In the dining room for example, we have a new table and sideboard but an old meat safe which was given to me by my grandparents as a wedding present. We’ve repurposed it as a console table and it looks great!’ says Amanda.

Be willing to upcycle
Merge a period property with contemporary styling seamlessly by upcycling your favourite vintage items. Painting an old piece of furniture a fun, bright colour instantly makes it feel more modern, or why not consider upholstering a vintage chair with a funky patterned fabric? ‘A few treasures here and there make a house feel a home. Look on eBay and Facebook Marketplace for preloved items. There are some incredible buys out there and it’s amazing what a lick of paint can do to bring an item up to date and for it to feel more contemporary’, states Amanda.

Make a feature out of period characteristic
Period properties are synonymous with certain characterful features, whether it be a fireplace, a quirky alcove or an original floor. Instead of shying away from them, amplify their beauty and uniqueness by making a striking feature out of it. Amanda’s wood burner is a showstopping centrepiece in her living room and she has styled it up with a rustic log basket and a gorgeous, colourful bunch of flowers, which immediately draws the eye

Build a community on Instagram for inspiration
‘Look on Instagram for inspiration! There are some fabulous homes to follow and I’ve taken lots of ideas and adapted them to suit us’, says Amanda. If you’re ever feeling stuck when it comes to styling your home and are looking for something to inspire you, then finding like-minded folk on Instagram is a great idea to take certain ideas and adapt them to suit your period home.