Restoring Character in a Victorian Home

The Project

Having purchased a Victorian property in need of renovation, Rachael and her partner undertook a full refurbishment, rethinking both the layout and the aesthetic throughout the home.

Originally decorated in a neutral palette, the space highlighted the home’s architectural features but lacked personality. Over time, the scheme evolved into something more expressive and individual.

As Rachael explains, “We painted a couple of rooms in neutral colours only to end up going over them when we realised it wasn’t us.”

Specification & Design Approach

Radiators formed an integral part of the design from the outset, not only in terms of performance, but as architectural elements within each space. Having discovered The Radiator Company via Instagram, Rachael was drawn to the range of styles and finishes available, as well as the ability to tailor products to suit her scheme.

“It was the colour matching and bespoke service that really made it special.”

For the hallway, statement cast-iron radiators from the Ledbury range were selected for their strong visual presence and suitability for a period setting.
In the lounge and dining spaces, radiators from the Ancona Column range were chosen, offering a more cost-conscious solution while maintaining the consistent aesthetic throughout the home.

A Considered Process

As a first-time buyer of radiators, the specification process came with a learning curve.

“I didn’t realise the considerations that went into it,” Rachael notes, highlighting the importance of guidance when navigating outputs, sizing and system requirements.

The Radiator Company supported throughout the whole process, from initial selection through to technical considerations such as BTU calculations and column flexibility. Our online radiator builder tool also proved particularly useful, allowing Rachael to explore and visualise different configurations.

“I discovered that existing pipework doesn’t need to restrict you; you can change the position of the radiators if needed.”

Transformation of the Living Spaces

The lounge underwent the most significant transformation within the home.

Structural work to reopen the chimney breast revealed the complexity of the renovation, requiring a new lintel and the rebuilding of a whole new chimney stack, while decorative mouldings (which Rachael single-handedly put up herself) were reinstated to enhance the room’s original character.

The addition of bespoke joinery, updated flooring and carefully selected radiators allowed the space to feel both grounded in its heritage and in keeping with Rachael’s personal style.

The steel multi column radiators were colour coordinated to the surrounding built-in cupboards, allowing them to sit seamlessly within the scheme while contributing to the overall composition of the space.

Hallway Transformation

The hallway demonstrates how relatively simple interventions can create a striking impact. By introducing traditional Victorian-style tiles and replacing the existing radiators with cast iron column radiators in Anthracite Grey, the space has been elevated into a defining feature of the home.

“They have totally finished off the hall; I love them.”

Beyond aesthetics, the updated radiators have also improved comfort, creating a warm and welcoming entrance.

The Result

The completed renovation is a confident expression of personal style, layered over the architectural integrity of a Victorian home. A mix of cast iron and steel column radiators plays a key role throughout, not only in delivering efficient heating, but in reinforcing the design language of each space. Through careful specification and a clear design vision, Rachael’s project highlights how radiators can move beyond functionality to become an integral part of the interior architecture.

Below are some of Rachael’s top tips when renovating:

• “Never use colours you don’t love but are “on trend”. Stay true to your style; remember trends don’t last that long”.
• “Give the eyes something to be drawn to when you walk into the room; use bold patterns or a large statement light”.
• “Light is always key; if your rooms are dark, add mirrors near doors or windows to bounce more light back into the room”.

Feeling Inspired?

Shop the Ancona Column and Ledbury Cast Iron Ranges below:

Tell us about your Instagram account!
I love interiors & photography, and I set up my Instagram account two years ago at the beginning of lockdown for something to do. I never imagined having 1000 followers, let alone 100,000!! Instagram is an amazing, supportive community that I’m so proud to be a part of.

How did you come to choose The Radiator Company for your radiators?
I discovered The Radiator Company on Instagram; I love discovering brands there.

Why did you decide to purchase new radiators? Was this a mini update, or a full renovation?
We are doing a full renovation of the house we bought, and the radiators were an important part of the upgrade. We needed more efficient ones and something that will match with our style.

Did you use the website radiator builder to help with your decision-making process?
Yes, it was very intuitive and easy to use, but I was in touch directly with The Radiator Company team as well, who were very helpful.

How was the decision-making process?
It was difficult as I had never bought radiators before, so I didn’t realise the considerations that went into it. The Radiator Company was very supportive, and they asked all the right questions to help me to find the radiators I dreamed of.

Were there any issues you had to consider before deciding upon your radiator?
Yes, I had never heard of a BTU, so being able to find this out through your calculator helped greatly. I also discovered that exciting pipework doesn’t need to restrict you and that you can change the position of the radiators if needed.

How was the delivery process?
Once we finalised our decision, the delivery was very quick and easy.

Tell us more about the radiators and why you chose them?
I love the combination of colours and style. The radiator style suited my period home. I ended up getting the Ledbury cast iron radiators for the hallway as they are really statement pieces and Ancona in the lounge and dining room, which suited my budget. It was the colour matching and bespoke service that really made it special.

Tell us more about your renovations in the lounge and living room
When we moved into our house, it was very neutral, still beautiful; it showed off every detail and made me want to keep it neutral. We painted a couple of rooms in neutral colours only to end up going over them when we realised it wasn’t us. Eventually the dark side in us took over as I knew it would!

The lounge had the biggest transformation. The biggest job in here was knocking out the bricked-up chimney breast, a job we thought would be easy, but resulted in us having to put in a new lintel and having a whole new chimney stack built! I single-handedly put the mouldings up all round this room, which I was very proud of.
We also changed the radiator and floor, and had the bar and side unit built to create storage! The Radiator Company has a very wide colour selection, and I am pleased that I could match my radiators with the built-in cupboards.

What have you done in your sitting room?
We’ve painted the walls in ‘Green Smoke’ by Farrow & Ball and the radiators are in ‘Anthracite Grey’. We’ve also discovered original parquet flooring in our living room under the carpets, which we restored.

How about your hallway transformation?
We made a few simple changes, like changing the floor and painting the walls, but it made such an impact. As soon as I viewed this home, I knew I wanted to put down Traditional Victorian-looking tiles and wow, what a difference. ‘Since we have had all the radiators in here replaced, it has been so lovely and warm too. We replaced them with beautiful cast iron ones and went for the ‘Ledbury’ style in RAL colour ‘Anthracite’, finished off with the Vintage TRV valve in Nickel. They have totally finished off the hall; I love them!’