Whether it's High Italianate, Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque or the Vernacular architecture of the Great Plains, homes from the Victorian Era are among the most popular--and sometimes, the most expensive--homes to restore. A Victorian restoration begs for a person with a passion for research, an eye for interior design or decoration, and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to bring the home back to its original glory.
Instructions
Restore Victorian Homes
1. Determine when the home was built so you can perform a more accurate restoration. The Victorian Period lasted from about 1840 to about 1900, approximating the years that Queen Victoria reigned. During this period, a variety of home building styles, including the familiar "Italianate" and "Queen Anne" styles, were constructed; and different styles were in vogue at different times. A book on architectural styles will help you determine what style the home was built in and narrow down the period in which it was built.
2. Determine the original colors, interior and exterior. If wallpaper was used, see if some remnant of the paper lurks in the attic, basement or under newer wallpaper. If original furnishings--such as carpet, rugs, floor cloths or furniture--are stashed in the home, use their colors for a guide to fill in holes where no other evidence (like wallpaper) can be found.
3. Research wallpapers available to determine if any patterns comparable to the original exist. Some specialty wallpaper manufacturers have new designs that complement homes of the Victorian period.
4. Research the paints. Some paint manufacturers, like Sherwin-Williams, were around during the Victorian period and still have colors available in both oil base--exactly like the original finish--or interior and exterior latex finishes.
5. Research the lighting. The Victorian Era began in the days of gas lights and ended shortly after electric lighting became practical. Use a stud finder to determine if gas lines were installed in your home to service gas mantles near the interior doors. Look in the attic to see if gas chandeliers were employed.
6. Be safety-conscious. Homes from the Victorian Era were eventually electrified, but some still use glass screw-type fuses instead of modern circuit breakers. Many still have fabric-covered wiring. Plan on having the entire electrical system replaced if you find evidence of an aging, fire-prone electrical system.
7. Take a class in decorative painting. Faux finishes were popular in many Victorian homes; a pine door or window surround might be hand painted to resemble tiger oak or rosewood--a technique called "tromp l'oeil" or faux graining. Wood graining can be used to good effect in a Victorian restoration, even if the finish was not originally painted this way.
8. Take classes in carpentry and woodworking to obtain a general contractor's license, then take a class to prepare for the exam. A general contractor's license and a state-issued tax identification number will allow you to access discounts at lumber yards and other suppliers.
9. Have a licensed plumber inspect and repair or replace plumbing as necessary. Many plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, used in the Victorian period are available in modern materials. Restorations on stone Richardsonian Romanesque dwellings should only be attempted by a master stonemason.
10. Complete or contract the exterior carpentry required. Paint the exterior.
11. Complete or contract any interior carpentry required. Select the interior finishing and furnishings (wallpapers, installed lamps and carpets/rugs). Paint, hang the wallpaper, install the lighting and lay the carpet.
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