Time machine

Time machine: How to send your home back in time

In his book The Emergence of the Interior, Charles Rice argues that in the fast-moving modern world, we are becoming disconnected with tradition. As a result, we are losing our sense of rootedness, connection and belonging, he says. But the good news is that we can regain some of that through interior design and the objects around us. Here’s what he suggests.

If you love natural materials like wood and authentic design that lasts over time, solid timber kitchens like these Italian-designed Riva 1920 kitchens combine the solid, natural aesthetic of twenties kitchens with clean lines and modern efficiency.

Whether you’re planning to redesign a period property, add a modern extension to a traditional house or restore original features to boost your home’s character, successfully mixing old and new designs can be a difficult balancing act. Get it right, however, and you can create a unique space that embraces modern living while also respecting the building’s historic roots.

Then, of course, you have the opposite – sleek modern homes such as this one which create which aim to make a connection with the past and add traditional warmth and comfort. This home does that with internal and exterior brick walls, timber floors and overstuffed pillows. And did you notice the 50s-style sideboard to the left of the sofa?

Tying the disparate looks of traditional and contemporary architecture and furnishings can prove nearly impossible, but this renovation deftly achieves it, again through the use of sympathetic colours and smart positioning of furniture, art and plants.

Do you find traditional home decor homey and comforting, or too stuffy and busy? Find your balance. The decor at left combines the richly ornamental doors and moulded skirtings with plenty of natural light, cool colours and a minimalist vibe in other parts of the room to create an environment that feels Victorian but also fresh and vibrant.

Some would call it “having a bob each way” but the important thing is creating a space that works for you.

If you don't want your home to be a patchwork of incongruent styles, this home provides some clues for joining two distinct styles in your home without clashing.

To begin with, if you have a classic home but you want to introduce some modernistic or art deco furnishings and fittings into the mix, think about using colour to synchronise different styles into a harmonious whole. Traditional homes generally used solemn hues such as the green and brown you see in this image. But you can add a bit of zing to the most traditional room with splashes of contrasting or bright colour as in this sofa and cushions.

This recently refurbished terraced house in London‘s King’s Cross added a new metalwork staircase and rear extension clad in perforated black metal.

The old stairs had presented challenges with the vertical route up through the building, making the ground floor level feel disconnected from the upper level. Removing the old stairs and relocating the stair core to become a feature piece of furniture opened up the spaces on both levels to provide generous and dynamic living areas.

This bathroom is a fine example of what has come to be known as the “New Traditional” style – older homes artfully rearranged to capture an old-world look they never actually had in the past, or modern homes that combine the charm of the old with the benefits of the new.

The key to New Traditional if you don’t want it to look like your granny's home or a hoarder’s paradise is to keep it simple. This is not a style where more is merrier. But don't worry, the “less is more” philosophy doesn't equate to cold and sparse. New Traditional tends to combine light, bright interiors with the warmth of darker colours such as the dark wood and bath base you see here.

New Traditional places cues to the past sparingly throughout the home – wooden picture frames, elaborate candlesticks, ladder towel rails such as the ones at right, sculpted jugs and single antique chairs. Don't overdo it!

Only we offer you all this

You can trust us with your biggest asset

That's because we’re specialists in home renovations and extensions. That’s what we do. In fact, we were New Zealand’s first nationwide trade-based renovation group. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for quality, service, reliability and value that’s second to none.

Leave everything to us

We’ll take care of everything from design, planning and consents to providing all the materials and project management to complete your project to your 100% satisfaction.

We make renovating uniquely easy and stress-free

We’ll give you a written proposal complete with a fixed price, project plan and even the option of 3D design video concepts so you’ll know exactly what to expect even before we start work on your new bathroom, kitchen, outdoor area or home addition.