A-Z of Self Build Guides How To Create A Period Property

Date Published:

30/05/2008

Footballers and TV stars might love coming home to a mock Tudor facade, but for the fashionistas out there there's no substitute for doing it yourself and avoiding mainstream, tacky imitation. It's a lot of fun taking a period feel and modernising it with a sense of style and integrity that is true to the roots of the architecture.

One famous example is the Arts and Crafts House in London, which was built in 1990, despite its late Victorian appearance. Pebbledashing, a feature often the butt of jokes on post-war houses, has been employed tactfully with other features such as overhanging eaves and leaded window panes. Rather than producing a modern replica, the style has been adapted effectively to incorporate more recent architectural trends.

Not for everyone but devastatingly striking is this recent mock Georgian mansion. Everything is exaggerated, so you've got double the size stonework, stretched windows and enormous overstated overhangs. This defines the character of the property in no uncertain terms, yet manages to strike a fine balance between old and new.

For something even more controversial there's the Blue House, a building which quirkily combines styles from several periods of history. Its exterior is inspired by the clapboard frontage of pre-revolutionary America, mingled with features reminiscent of 18th century Dutch gables.

In short, when trying to recreate a historical building don't be bound by the limitations of more common architects. Go for broke, be different, and your results can be no worse than the mock Georgian developments that litter every English town. And you'll have a whole lot of fun into the bargain.

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