November 2020

What makes a period home? Is it the brickwork or the windows? Is it art deco door handles, federation-style terracotta roof tiling, burnished brass pull handles, or the paint palette?

The answer is ‘all of the above’. Period homes have a unique character blended from an easily definable set of design elements and a much more inimitable feeling of character and charm.

Every small detail, like the door handles we’re focusing on in this blog, offers an opportunity to re-capture a period of Perth’s rich architectural history with high-quality modern touches.

Benefits of maintaining and restoring period homes

Drive through some of Perth’s older neighbourhoods and you can see pockets of history preserved for a century or more. The suburbs around our Nedlands showroom has plenty on offer, from federation style workers’ cottages built between 1900 and 1910, to art deco which defined the 1920s and 30s.

Each of these design eras represented a time in Perth’s history. Preserving those memories in the character of your period home means remembering the charm that attracted you to the house, and carrying on a century-long legacy of unique design.

Easy ways to capture the charm of period homes

Know the style of the house

Before you go putting an art deco door handle on a Victorian home, it’s worth finding out more about the era your period home falls into.

• Early Victorian: c.1804-1860
• Mid-Victorian: 1861-1875
• Late Victorian: 1876-1901
• Federation: c.1890s-1915
• Art deco: 1920s and 1930s
• Post-war: 1945-1950
• Mid-century modern: 1950s and 60s

Of course, it’s possible for a Federation-style home (also called Edwardian after the King of England at the time of Australia’s Federation) was built after 1915. And art deco still inspired architecture well into the 40s. There are even some gems of modern architecture which echo those eras.

But knowing what year your home was built gives a good indication of whether brass pull handles, Gatsby-style art deco door handles or more decorative and delicate federation finishes are most appropriate.

Consider colour schemes

Over time your period home may have seen a renovation, re-painting or additions. Capturing its original character can be as simple as matching the right federation door handle to the classic red-brick exterior and pressed metal ceiling.

Cohesive design aesthetics depend on the overall look and feel as much as the individual details.

Material selection

Hardware used in the original construction can be influenced by the location and environment of the house. An art deco home in Perth is likely to use native timber in the joinery and locally sourced metal for window frames, for example.

Keep in mind when you browse the Brass Décor catalogue that our Australian-made products are hand-picked to suit life in local neighbourhoods:

• Made to be durable in Australian climates
• Supporting local industries
• Finished to Australian Standards
• High safety and performance benchmarks

Bring it home with Brass Décor

From brass pull handles on interior doors, to art deco door handles that welcome guests with a classy touch of belle epoque bourgeoise, Brass Décor’s range of period door handles is the perfect finish to any character home.

Find our full range of federation door handles and period-specific finishes in our Nedlands showroom at 169 Stirling Highway, browse our product catalogues online, or call us on (08) 9386 6057 to find out what’s in stock to suit your period home.

Home renovations, even small bathroom makeovers, can be truly transformational and thoroughly enjoyable – if you plan properly. From the big jobs like removing walls, to the smallest details like the right tap handles and brass light fixtures, there are many benefits to good planning:

• Eliminate delays
• Save on labour costs
• Renovation is finished faster
• More cohesive design
• Less disruption to your life

We’re focussing on tapware in this blog because it’s one of those often-overlooked details that elevates a period home transformation from drab to delightful.

Plan tapware early at the same time as plumbing

One of the first steps in planning a period home renovation is the logistics for things like plumbing and electrical. If your restoration is contained to the bathroom or laundry then you might not need to factor in an electrician, but you still need to source a plumber.

DIY plumbing is not just irresponsible, it’s actually illegal – you can face big fines for attempting your own installation.

However, this gives you a great opportunity to take care of an important detail. Sourcing tapware early makes it easier for a plumber to provide an accurate quote (without hidden cost contingencies) and has several significant benefits during the renovation process.

5 great reasons to source brass tapware in the planning stage

There is nothing more heartbreaking than discovering a fixture doesn’t fit, or your pipes aren’t plumbed correctly to accommodate your brand-new tapware. Sourcing tapware early, at the same time as planning the plumbing, ensures everything comes together with no avoidable delays or unexpected costs.

1. Avoid delays caused by missing materials
2. Get the exact brass tapware you want
3. Save on re-working and labour costs
4. Design every detail to match
5. Take a weight off your mind early

Tapware comes in so many styles, shapes, sizes and finishes. We often find people want to take their time choosing tapware because the decision is a mix of feeling and preference. Plus, starting the process early means you can shop around more for the best deals on high-quality tapware.

How to choose the right tapware for character homes

Matching décor

Tapware ties the room together. It can be an accent, a complimentary feature, a statement or a subtlety. Brass Décor has solutions for all styles.

Tapware materials

Every component from the aerators and washers to the art deco tap handle should be made of durable, non-toxic, high-quality materials.

Choose quality, not cost

Cheap tapware not only looks tacky, but it is more likely to fail sooner due to sub-par components. Well-crafted Australian made taps are a small investment with big benefits.

Only buy from a trusted supplier

Choose tapware with a long and detailed warranty, and purchase through a supplier with a good reputation. In case anything goes awry, you have peace of mind that the supplier will put it right.

Include Brass Décor in your plans

Brass Décor has an extensive range of period-perfect tapware and bathroom accessories. From Australian made art deco tap handles to high-quality tap fittings, we supply everything you need for a hassle-free and affordable period home renovation.

Browse our catalogues online, give us a call or visit our showroom at 169 Stirling Highway to get a feel for the best tapware in Perth.

Perth’s character homes have a distinct an indescribable charm. From the first Victorian homes to Federation-era workers’ cottages, through to 1920s and 30s art deco design, there is something special about owning a period home.

However, technology and modern comforts have come a long way in 100+ years. While the charm of burnished brass light fittings never fades, it can be tempting to modernise a period home, jeopardising a piece of history in the process.

Here are 4 ways to preserve the original charm when restoring, renovating, or contemporising a period home in Perth.

1. Blend the old with the new

There are interior design solutions available across Perth that carefully and creatively echo bygone eras, while bringing safety and comfort up to 21^st century standards.

• Update brass light fittings for electrical safety
• Crumbling or tarnished antique door handles can usually be replaced with a modern reproduction
• Mix period-specific and modern materials for contrast
• Make the period features a statement, surrounded by modern additions

Finding balance between modern comforts and old-world charm is much easier nowadays.

2. Do your research

Each era in Perth’s architectural history had its own style conventions, prevailing materials, prominent designers and standout pieces.

• Federation workers’ cottages feature an abundance of red brick, terracotta roof tiles, and elegant brass door handles
• Art deco in Australia was defined by curves contrasted with bold geometric lines and intricate art nouveau patterns
• Try to find original photographs, news articles or construction records

There are some traditions that should be preserved. Research the era your home was built in and try to bring back some of the original design elements that might have been lost during the decades.

3. Don’t demolish a piece of history

What seems quirky or kitsch at the start of the renovation can turn out to be the charm that binds a project together. Before you brick up a disused fireplace or chip away at federation tiles, consider how the feature could be transformed.

• Restore old staircases with modern railings
• Rejuvenate art deco ceilings with period-specific brass light fittings
• Turn a fireplace into an artistic display
• Salvage antique brass door handles and try to match them with a modern replacement

Think carefully before swinging a sledgehammer because once it’s gone, history isn’t coming back.

4. Consult the specialists

Perth’s period homes are treasured by more than the occupants. Finding the right period home renovation expert will help you to make considered, cost-effective choices while keeping the charm alive.

• Speak to other period homeowners
• Work with trusted suppliers who know period homes
• Engage specialist character home architects and tradespeople

The difference between a classy renovation and cutting corners is in the details. Speak to Brass Décor to find the right antique-style door handles, brass light fittings and tapware to suit your home.

Visit Brass Décor for the finishing touch

No period home restoration is complete until the last brass light fitting or antique door handle is in place. With our wide range of period home fixtures, and our team’s passion for Perth architecture through the eras, you are sure to find the right solution in our showroom at 169 Stirling Highway, Nedlands.

Call us on (08) 9386 6057 to discuss your specific requirements or browse our catalogues online to see our range of Australian-made, exceptional quality products.