Tavistock, Period Property Renovation

When our client bought their beautiful Victorian property in the heart of Tavistock, it had its fair share of problems. With damp, rot, and structural issues caused by previous failed renovation attempts, the challenge for NMC on this property was fixing the extensive damp issues and restoring the home’s original period features while adding modern home comforts.

With our expertise in property design, planning, and project management, we undertook a full-scale home renovation. The process revived the property’s period features and transformed it into a comfortable, stylish, modern living space, free of damp and ready for family living.

Dampproofing and structural restoration

With the property’s age dating back to 1890, the main area of focus was the existing damp problem. Previous renovators had used unsuitable materials, including cement floors and British gypsum plaster, all of which trapped moisture within the walls and floors, causing damage and damp. Previous attempts to resolve this, including injecting a damp proofer, had only made things worse, leading to unpleasant smells and dry and wet rot in the woodwork, particularly in the skirting boards and staircase.

To fix this, we removed the existing cement floor inside the property using a mini digger and stripped all the plaster off the walls. To give the property proper insulation and breathability, we laid lightweight, Glasscrete insulation. We also installed an underfloor heating system before pouring and screeding a lime floor, allowing the building to breathe naturally. We then hacked off the modern plaster and repaired and cleaned the walls before rendering them with lime to clear the damp issues and remove cold spots throughout the home.

The client also wanted a larger living space as part of the project, which meant removing a supporting internal wall. Working with structural engineers, we installed steel beams within the floor joists, resulting in a seamless finish with no visible changes to the ceiling levels while still providing the necessary structural support.

Authentic Victorian features

This project focused on restoring the property’s original Victorian features. We started by installing a reclaimed herringbone floor, improving the property’s internal character while fitting a new staircase in a Victorian-style cut-string design, complete with a volute handrail. We also replicated and installed specialist Victorian coving to match the existing design, giving the interior consistent authenticity.

All new skirting boards, architraves, and door linings were bespoke-made to match the property’s original style together with the installation of custom-made doors to add to the period features. These details were essential to ensure the property retained its historical features while incorporating modern updates.

Property modernisation

Alongside restoring its period features, we completely modernised the property throughout. This included a full electrical rewire and a new plumbing system through the house. The outdated uPVC windows were replaced with authentic sliding sash windows made from long-lasting, sustainable Accoya timber, plus a new front door installed to complete the period style.

The entire property was re-plastered to level the existing sagging ceilings. It was then fully redecorated to achieve a fresh and elegant finish. In the vestibule, we installed specialist breathable tiles of a Victorian design in keeping with the property’s period character.

Finishing touches

With the property’s key issues and modernisation dealt with, we ended the project by restoring the chimneys and chimney pots before installing new slate hearths, new marble fireplaces, and linings for the log burners in the lounge and dining room. We also built bespoke wardrobes in the bedrooms to match the Victorian design of the doors and architraves. And finally, we made soft landscaping improvements to the garden, adding a pergola and planting fresh plants and beds to improve the outdoor space.

Together with careful planning, NMC brought historical sensitivity and modern techniques together to successfully restore this Victorian property, bringing it back to its former glory and making it fit for modern family life.

Thank you for turning the clock back 20 years at Bedford House. We are overjoyed.

Bids & Nick Client