DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 4
- Studio Wallander
- Apr 26
- 5 min read
A SHORT CODE OF CONDUCT OF HANDLING OLD HOUSES
THE MODERN THINGS Modern life has a habit of entering into old house by necessity. The Do's and Don'ts of Period Homes Part 4 deals with televisions, cables, routers, smart devices, alarms, washing machines, boilers, radiators, speakers, induction hobs: the list is long. Not quite the Ministry of Truth but not far off. A period home was not built with any of these things in mind, yet they all need to live somewhere. The challenge is not to pretend that modern life does not exist, but to acknowledge its presence and try to accommodate it without disrupting your house. Technology should sit quietly in the background, doing its job without disturbing the character of the house. We don't need to see it for it to work. If the previous essays were about listening to the house, this one is about trying to fit our way of living into our house.
Televisions are the biggest offenders. They are large, black, ugly, reflective rectangles that rarely look good when switched off and often sit in the most visible part of the room.
I would say that the simplest solution is to not have one. But for most people, this is not an option. So, therefore, the next simplest solution is location. Place a television where it does not dominate the sightline the moment you enter the room. Consider placing it on the wall of the door, or where artwork or a bookcase shares the view. The aim is to prevent arranging the room around a screen, unless of course the room is genuinely a media room. Bespoke solutions can be elegant if the budget allows, hiding a TV in a bookcase or cabinet behind a closed door. A TV disguised as artwork can also be a way of trying to make it less intrusive. The most cost effective and simplest solution can be to paint the wall a dark colour in order to make the TV blend in.
Cables are another constant irritation. Constantly tangling themselves like unruly Christmas lights, we want to avoid letting them trail visibly along skirting boards or stretch like tightropes across corners. Consider using trunking that can be painted the same colour as the wall, or better, hide cables behind skirting (if changing these), or beneath floorboards if practical and accessible. Mind however that you do not ruin a lovely floor in order to hide cabling. In older houses, plaster can be fragile, and walls can be solid brick so think twice before trying to chase cables into walls unless essential. External routes, if done neatly and painted in, often cause less disruption and can be reversed more easily should you need to. If you are renovating a room anyway, that is the moment to do the proper concealed routes. If all else fails, and something that might be worth considering from the start, is quite simply to keep the cables beautiful. This will depend on what needs to be powered, but exploring fabric-covered cables for lamps can give an opportunity for beauty and colour where normally one would expect ugliness and harshness.
Kitchens bring a whole battalion of modernity: hobs, ovens, fridges, extractors, dishwashers. The trick is not to disguise them as something they are not, but to more palatable designs. A fridge with a thousand LEDs will look out of place in a Victorian kitchen. Equally, a giant stainless steel range can dwarf a modest terrace. If you have a kitchen large enough for bold appliances, fine, but keep the style consistent. The shape of door fronts, the finish of handles, the tone of woods or colours all make a difference. In every case, panelled appliances are a good option, if possible. Extraction is worth real thought: modern hobs create steam that old plaster does not enjoy. Choose the best system you can, even if it is not visually thrilling. The house will benefit in the long term.
Washing machines and dryers are necessary but seldom attractive. If possible, place them in a utility room, cupboard or understairs space, ideally behind a solid door to soften the sound. If you must place them in a kitchen, opt for integrated models that sit behind cabinetry or even behind curtains hung below work surfaces. Just be mindful of heat and ventilation. The latter solution is inexpensive but can be very effective and bring to mind an old-fashioned kitchen. Again, the key is context. A well-planned cupboard in a Victorian lean-to extension makes perfect sense. If you do have the luxury of separate laundry space, consider ventilation very carefully; older walls and steam do not get along.
Heating is one of the areas where modernity meets old houses most awkwardly. Radiators are both necessary and visible. Fortunately, cast iron radiators suit many period styles and provide excellent heat retention. Modern column radiators can also work if chosen carefully. Avoid overly contemporary designs with slashes, grills or chrome fins. Think about placement: under windows is the traditional spot, but in some rooms a radiator on a narrower wall can free up furniture layouts. If you struggle with layouts, consider booking a Parlour Consultation or a Drawing Room Concept Design.
Security systems are unavoidable for many households and should be installed sensibly. A good system does not have to be visually intrusive. Position sensors where they are least noticeable, avoid placing alarm boxes in the middle of façades unless required, and choose designs in neutral finishes or colours that blend in with your chosen scheme. Be mindful that drilling into old stone, plaster or timber can have consequences; choose locations with minimal impact and consider wireless systems where appropriate. Always get advice if you are not sure, and if your house is listed or if you are in a conservation area.
Wi-Fi, routers and extenders deserve a special mention. Wi-Fi struggles with thick walls, so you may need mesh systems. Hide the base units in cupboards, behind furniture or on high shelves. Most units work perfectly well from semi-concealed positions, provided ventilation is not blocked. Do not let a tangle of wires sit in plain sight; it undermines even the most beautifully decorated room. If possible, place the main router in a downstairs room and use discreet extenders elsewhere.
Speakers and sound systems can be difficult to blend into an older interior. Freestanding speakers can be acceptable if they are good-looking or placed thoughtfully. Built-in ceiling speakers can work surprisingly well if the ceiling is already modern, but do think twice before cutting holes in a perfectly preserved plaster ceiling. A simpler approach is often better: a single good speaker placed where it does not draw attention. Keeping it simple is sometimes the preferable option.
Finally, consider the environmental side of technology. Older houses breathe differently from modern ones, and modern appliances produce heat, steam and noise. Ensure good ventilation in kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. Avoid sealing old houses too tightly. A balanced approach will protect both the house and your equipment.
Modern things are not the enemy. They simply need placing with care so they do not overwhelm the gentler qualities of an older interior. If the big things gave you the structure, the creative things gave you the expression and the tactile things gave you the daily pleasure, then the modern things give you comfort and practicality. Used well, they support the house. Used carelessly, they jar. We do not need to see them; we only need to use them. As always, with major changes or modernisation, please make sure you have the right permissions.
The aim is simply this: let the house remain old where it should be old, and let the modern conveniences sit behind the façade, doing their job without announcing themselves. If you can achieve that balance, you will have the best of both worlds.
