Brooke & Shoals founder Alison Banton on success, scents and trusting yourself
Brooke & Shoals founder Alison Banton on success, scents and trusting yourself

Edaein OConnell

Annabelle Fleur: A week in my wardrobe
Annabelle Fleur: A week in my wardrobe

Edaein OConnell

The life lessons I learned from online dating
The life lessons I learned from online dating

Suzie Coen

This tiny house in Leitrim took just €25,000 – and 50 days – to build
This tiny house in Leitrim took just €25,000 – and 50 days – to build

IMAGE Interiors & Living

Andrea Manning: ‘You have to take those big scary leaps’
Andrea Manning: ‘You have to take those big scary leaps’

Fiona Alston

24 wedding guest outfits we’re loving from ASOS
24 wedding guest outfits we’re loving from ASOS

Sarah Gill

Women in Sport: Personal trainer and fitness influencer Nathalie Lennon
Women in Sport: Personal trainer and fitness influencer Nathalie Lennon

Sarah Gill

You returns and Tom Hardy battles crime in Havoc – what to watch this week
You returns and Tom Hardy battles crime in Havoc – what to watch this week

Edaein OConnell

Inside the 1970s Limerick property that won Home of the Year 2025
Inside the 1970s Limerick property that won Home of the Year 2025

Sarah Gill

Chef Conor Spacey shares his life in food
Chef Conor Spacey shares his life in food

Sarah Gill

Image / Living / Interiors

6 tips for renovating a period home, from a homeowner who has done it


By IMAGE Interiors & Living
25th Jun 2022

The drawing room and library

6 tips for renovating a period home, from a homeowner who has done it

The light-filled drawing room and library houses beautiful original plasterwork.

How this homeowner pulled off the perfect period renovation of this south Dublin Georgian home (and take a tour).


See More Photos

 

Choose wisely. For any renovation, hire a good architect and good builders. They will guide you over the bumps and potholes that inevitably come with a period restoration.

Be conservative. Conservation officers will have the final say on structural changes in listed buildings, so don’t assume you can do what you want. If your building is listed, choose an architect with a history of working on a listed building, not only will they already have experience on their side but they often have a good working relationship with the conservation officers, which will go a long way in speeding up the build.

Go beyond the cosmetic. Don’t be tempted to paint everything white and move in. Most houses need to be replumbed, insulated and updated. It’s better to spend the money on the basics first to avoid a crisis.

Devise workarounds. Before deciding to open up all the rooms at garden level or to extend into the garden, consider your options. Sometimes, small alterations to improve the daylight and sunlight can make for a more practical and low-key solution.

Don’t store up trouble. Storage can be a problem in Georgian houses, so consider converting a smaller bedroom into a dressing room, or creating a bespoke storage room at basement level.

Be true to the era. Many paint and wallpaper companies offer heritage collections, created from matching up historic colours, allowing you to lend an authentic palette to your new home.

Words by Jillian Bolger, photography by Mark Scott, styling by Marlene Wessels.