To restore a house in an Edwardian style it's important to understand as much as you can about the period and the way in which they decorated to make sure you make the most of your antiques fireplace and mantelpiece.
The change from the Victorian period to the Edwardian was significant. In society the reign of Queen Victoria was a period of understated modesty. With the beginning of the Edwardian period came a desire to experiment with new and fresh ideas with a strong look to the past. Out were dark staid designs and in were more bold decoration and furniture.
The increasing availability of energy had a huge effect on the decoration of homes. Gas heating and lighting began to be more widely available with some of the more affluent homes even beginning to receive electricity. This of course affected the designs of lighting and fireplaces and began to influence the designs of today.
The Victorian period was known for its dark palate, with a new monarch came a new desire for lighter colours. Deeper shades were no longer en-vogue and lighter more pastel colours began to appear on the walls and soft furnishings in the homes of the most fashionable members of society.
Simple patterns also rose in prominence during the early 20th century with basic floral patterns becoming common place, in stark contrast to the more complex patterns found in Victorian wall papers and furniture. This style can work quite well with more modern minimalist styles that are currently popular.
White enamel paint on wood work and gloss paint is another way you can recreate the Edwardian period in your home. The high gloss finishes took advantage of the new paint technologies that were becoming available. Skirting boards and mantelpieces all got the enamel treatment and set the trend for while gloss paint woodwork that was common through out much of the twentieth century.
The industrial improvements that took place prior to the Edwardian period meant the cost of plate glass fell dramatically. Putting large scale mirrors in the price range of many more homes. As a consequence many large mirrors found pride of place on mantelpieces above fireplaces across the UK. If you want to replicate the style of the time it's worth considering a large framed mirror.
The Edwardian period also gave home to the Art Nouveau movement. This means fireplaces and wall papers often features stylised natural forms and bold shapes. These natural forms varied from human figures to more organic natural life.
Edwardian style mixes very comfortably with style popular today, as a consequence if you have any period features from this time it seems a shame to not highlight them. Similarly many homes could benefit from introducing some of the techniques used to decorate in the past.
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