For years I scoured online sites looking for a country retreat within an hour of Dublin where my previous life had been with. Armed with a checklist of a particular budget, a doer-upper period property, captivating views, a large mature garden, and a gravel drive, I amazingly woke up one sunny Saturday June morning in 2021 to find it online! Below is just a little taste of the whole journey.
First steps
Nestled in the heart of County Wicklow, Ireland, a Victorian gem sat quietly, waiting for a new lease of life. With its distinctive architecture, and a story woven into its very walls, this Victorian house with its colourful garden captured our hearts from that sunny morning in June that my husband Peter and I viewed it. Though time had taken its toll, the house held a timeless elegance that begged to be restored. And so, began our journey began.
Next steps
We expressed our interest to the agent and arranged to see it inside, as previously we had only viewed it from the outside. The property was being sold by online auction. Neither of us had bought a property before by auction so that proved to be a nerve-racking experience with rapid, fierce bidding at the end. We got a message at the end of the auction saying, ‘You have won!’ Needless to say, we were delighted.
Reality bites
After sorting out lots of matters, we finally moved into the house in December 2021.It was freezing! We set about scheduling local tradespeople for the upgrade of the heating, electricity, plumbing and insulation. All the old electricity cables were exposed so they needed to be re-wired, and a new meter was relocated outside. That winter we lived in the dining room which has a big stove and was the only warm room in the house!
Minimum Intervention
This was my first period property renovation, so I researched a lot on the types of insulation suitable for 60cms thick stone walls. Luckily, there was no major damp, so we followed the advice from reputable sources of ‘minimum intervention’ and just patched up the lime plaster where it was required.
Embracing the Victorian Spirit
The first step in any renovation is to honour the spirit of the original structure. Built in 1887, our Victorian house featured hallmark characteristics of the era in Ireland—gabled roofs, tall windows, high ceilings, decorative cast iron fireplace in the master bedroom, and Wicklow granite and brick structure. We wanted to preserve these elements while making the home suitable for modern living.
Restoring the interior: A Nod to History
The Victorian era chose its colour palette from nature, so I used blue on many walls downstairs and green in the bathroom upstairs. Floral wallpaper was also popular, so I incorporated this in one of the bedrooms. Mahogany furniture and William Morris fabrics were added to the kitchen-dining room as another nod to history.
Tall sash windows, a signature of Victorian architecture, were added throughout the house (with double glazing) and the only pair of original window shutters were maintained. A front door with stained glass details added to the Victorian look.
Decorative plaster egg-and-dart cornicing and an ornate ceiling rose was introduced in the living room to elevate the sense of grandeur in this room typical of many middle-class Victorian houses. I discovered the symbolism of the egg and dart- the egg symbolises life and the dart symbolise death. Every day is a school day.
Revitalising the Interior: Marrying Old and New
Inside, our goal was to create a living space that balanced Victorian charm with modern comfort. We started by stripping back layers of paint and wallpaper to uncover the seven layers of wallpaper beneath in places (and unfortunately damp crumbling lime plaster).
The finishing touches are often what make a house feel like a home. I scoured local markets and antique shops in Counties Wicklow and Wexford, finding furniture and accessories (like a copper & brass bed warmer!) that added personality and charm to each room.
The previous kitchen had been tiny and was located in the room which is now used as a utility room. The old dining room was converted into a kitchen-dining room with the introduction of new Shaker style white kitchen cabinets with brass effect handles.
Throughout the house, there is this common thread of carefully combining old and new elements to reveal the house’s history but also to reveal a stylish, comfortable home suitable for 21st century living.
Join Us on Our Renovation Adventure
Have questions about our renovation process or want to share your own experiences with Victorian houses or other properties? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or connect with us on our social media channels below.
Ready to start your own renovation journey? Reach out to Sharon for a consultation, and let’s bring your dream home to life!
Check out our facebook reel below to get a taste of our whole renovation journey.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/478243485176370
Full Circle Interior Design
Kiltegan
Co. Wicklow
Ireland
sharon@fullcircleinteriordesign.ie
4 Responses
I grew up in this house which dates from 1887. Recently Sharon kindly obliged me with a guided tour of my old family home. I was both delighted and heartened to see how the house has been lovingly and sympathetically restored with a perfect blend of modern and traditional. The new owners have undertaken a complete overhaul of heating, electric wiring, etc and finished each room with warm and welcoming colour.
As this house was once the teacher’s residence, many people have resided here over the decades. My mother lived in this house for 70 years and would be most happy to see it has been renovated and restored to a high standard. Well done to Sharon and Full Circle Interior Design.
Thank you Michael for your kind comments.Delighted to hear that we are honouring your mother’s legacy. She did a wonderful job on the garden which we get a lot of joy from!
Sharon,
Having visited your home many times I can contest to your stylish, comfortable and welcoming home. I think if anyone needed a steer on a home renovation your advice would be invaluable. The effort and attention to detail you take in your work is notable and one of the aspects of your renovation which is laudable is what you achieved with a modest budget. I think any novice, regardless of budget would benefit from your expertise and generosity.
Niamh, thank you for your generous comments and I look forward to your next visit.