georgian farmhouse style

[shelli]

We are currently are stripping out interior 1970s DIY nightmares from our 1740 farmhouse (hideous dark stained fake beams with chopped in axe marks etc). Previous owners had it since 1972 (the year I was born!) and used it predominantly as a weekend house for the first 25 years moving in more full time in the 90s. It seems that Mister used it to carry out experimental wiring, plumbing and joinery projects!

While the house is in it's current uninhabitable state I am looking through ALL the period house magazines for inspiration - The house is Georgian, datestone is 1740. It is a divided farmhouse with slightly later barn conversion. Problem I am having is that all the "georgian Style" interiors are formal houses with high ceilings etc - am wondering whether to go down the generic farmhouse style route (which is lovely) or is there anything I can do thats a bit different and yet authentic to the period?

your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

Shelli

 

[alice]

Shelli,

You're having the same problem I have, which is to design an interior that's authentic to the spirt of a more humble house, while most of the examples about are anything but typical for their era.

Have you looked at the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387/

The set designer earned high marks from historians for his authentic Georgian interiors, and the Bentley house, along with the vicarage, might give you some ideas. Also, Jane Austen's real home is restored and open, and might be a good place to go visit.

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

alice

 

[Nemesis]

The National Trust has a number of properties furnished in simple period style - Stephenson's Cottage

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-georgestephensonsbirthplace/

and Cherryburn for example:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-cherryburn

Beamish Museum is always worth visiting, Home Farm is simply furnished in period style.

 

[Penners]

If you're ever in London, the Geffrye Museum is worth a visit. It's a museum of interiors through the ages, showing fully furnished examples of all kinds and periods of rooms, inclusing, of course, Georgian.

 

[shelli]

Thanks guys, all of that is really helpful and has given me loads more ideas (can't afford a Mark Wilkinson Kitchen Anyway!)

I'd forgotten about Beamish (ah those primary school trips of yore (am from Co Durham originally!!) and yes a simple interior is exactly what we're after -

wish we'd not got wooden surround and cast iron register grate combo for lounge fireplace now as don't think it's going to be right - still, maybe put a stove in later - and we've still got lovely Inglenook fireplace in Dining room to clean up (note to self - e-bay the hideous horse brasses!!)

I think we will end up with a mish mash of styles for a while - but hey ho! there's plenty time to sort it out!!

LOL Shelli X

 

[Nemesis]

Townhead at Troutbeck, Wordsworth's various houses...

 

[Penners]

I think we will end up with a mish mash of styles

As with most period properties!

 

[shelli]

Townhead at Troutbeck, Wordsworth's various houses...

Now I am embarassed - we currently live in Kendal!!! Didn't even think of Dove Cottage, Town End, Hill Top (Beatrix Potter) - think for some reason I always thought they were much older properties - probably as they have real period interiors and mullioned windows which i kind of associate with older places

actually Now i think about it I've have been to loads of gorgeous country cottages - can't understand why do i feel so lost after all

LOL Shelli X

 

[Nemesis]

Sorry Town End not Town Head. Also Wordsworth House Cockermouth, slightly grand but plain.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-wordsworthhouse/


http://www.visitcumbria.com/cm/wordhse.htm


I suspect at Sawrey no-one will get moved this year after the Potter film. I managed my last visit just before it closed for winter when it was empty.

 

[inwood]

Shelli, I had the same - what I thought were awful 'chopped in axe' marks in the beams until I had a discussion with the CO about them. It appears that in Northamptonshire (not sure about elsewhere) beams were commonly plastered - something which I've subsequently confirmed by finding small bits of plaster adhered in nooks and crannies where the beam meets the ceiling. These were also typically elaborately hand painted (sadly I only have a very small remnant of this).

The axe marks were used to get the plaster to adhere to the beam - something also found on wooden lintels in my house.

Just trying to decide at the moment whether to replaster the beams to restore the original look or leave as is. I don't want to sand off the axe marks as some are fairly deep and this would remove too much of the beam.

 

[Gervase]

The 'feathering' on woodwork to provide a key for plaster is pretty universal from the late 18th century onwards. It's interesting to see that it has sometimes been done on old woodwork which was meant to be seen - stuff with rebates and mouldings for exaple - which shows that 'modernising vandals' are hardly a recent phenomenon.
In a Georgian house, walls would be plastered and so would most ceilings, unless it was a particularly poor household, when bare boards above might suffice.
Kitchen ceilings often had a fair bit of exposed timber (with plaster in between) to accommodate hooks and contrivances for hanging food.

 

[shelli]

In a Georgian house, walls would be plastered and so would most ceilings, unless it was a particularly poor household, when bare boards above might suffice.
Kitchen ceilings often had a fair bit of exposed timber (with plaster in between) to accommodate hooks and contrivances for hanging food.

Thanks for that Gervase - we were going to go for that look in the kitchen as when we took down the ceiling we saw all the original joists were v. rustic tree trunks - complete with bark! We figured it would look very "bonny" to plaster between the wood and leave it all exposed - until we discovered that the joists were variously burned (above where old range had been ) and had parted company with the walls on other sides so all need replacing!!

We have therefore decided to plaster up mostly just leaving the main beams exposed in the kitchen and go for this look instead in our dining room where we also have an inglenook fireplace (just hope it doesn't look too much like a tavern!)

Michele

 

[Craig]

It always seems to me that most PP magazines are pretty disastrous as far as guides to actual historic interiors.

I do recommend this excellent book though:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Domestic-Interiors-British-Tradition-1500-1850/dp/0300084455/ref=sr_1_1/026-3507750-5019618?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177332734&sr=8-1

"Domestic Interiors: The British Tradition 1500-1850"
by James Ayres (Author) and his other book "Building the Georgian City"

Its a very readable description of the interaction between craft based technologies and development of different styles, etc.

 

[shelli]

Shelli, I had the same - what I thought were awful 'chopped in axe' marks in the beams until I had a discussion with the CO about them.

The axe marks were used to get the plaster to adhere to the beam - something also found on wooden lintels in my house.

That must be where the idea came from - I'd def leave them exposed if mine were original - but they're not - they are horrible 70's abomination!!

Shelli

 

[shelli]

Thanks Craig - that looks like the very thing. I totally agree about PP magazines - the houses they show all seem to have interior fixtures and fittings bought from the same "selected" retailers - who by strange co-incidence all seem to advertise with the magazines too! the result is a homogenous country house look with the only distinguishing feature being colour choice. - Just not what I'm after at all.

 

[Becka]

I've noticed that, bought a magazine called I think 'period ideas' (or something similar) the other day and every article I've seen so far is actually really an advert.. usually for something so far out of my price range and generally unsuitable for my house that it's quite boring and not what I wanted to see at all

 

[Penners]

every article I've seen so far is actually really an advert

It really p's me off when people charge you in order to advertise at you.

Every year there's an event called The Suffolk Garden Show at the Suffolk Showground in Ipswich. You pay a fair whack to get in, and all it has is commercial stands selling you stuff. No show gardens, no talks or demonstrations - it's just one big garden centre.

I have nothing against garden centres but I wouldn't pay to enter one.

Oops - I had a rant there, didn't I?

 

[AMc]

As Penners said if you're in London the Geffrye Museum is a fine afternoon out (free and a nice cafe) a row of Alms houses each decorated in a distinct period style then a modern exhibition and research building.
The garden is great too.
As it would be quite a trip from where you are you can 'visit' them online too.
http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

P.S. Post some pictures, my Georian farm house complete with 200 years worth of well meaning improvements could do with some inspiration too!

 

[Nemesis]

My Georgian farmhouse, although not at all grand, had a kitchen which doubled as a living room (with scullery off) which had wooden exposed joists and wood ceiling which was the flooring above, and a slighly more posh parlour. The parlour, with hobgrate and stone surround, and the bedrooms had ceilings. It's worth considering that all but the most humble places would have had a 'best' room.

Went to Wordsworth House Cockermouth Saturday, the work the Trust has done there is well worth viewing.

 

[Craig]

One of the things (it sems to me anyway) is that most period properties in magazines and museums are just over done - very fancy stuff in every room, carpets, curtains, glam furniture, etc. In 1740, fabrics would have been very expensive indeed, and wallpaper printing was virtually impossible. Country farmhouses (especially in thechilly north or the far flung counties) would probably still have had rush mats, etc. in the 18c and maybe only "good" rooms would have had plastered ceilings. I really do recommend Ayres book - lots of amazing photos. Apologies for choir/preaching, etc.