subject: Tips For Restoring A Period Bulgarian Property [print this page] If you are interested in purchasing a beautiful old home and recreating a period atmosphere, there are many fine examples of older Bulgarian property to choose from.
Many gorgeous homes from the Bulgarian Revival Period can be found in the cities, such as in the Old Town of Plovdiv. These older homes feature open porches, asymmetrical floor plans, elaborate ornamentation, and multi-coloured patterned walls. The ceilings will be traditionally embellished with carved wooden geometric patterns and painted ornaments.
If you are looking for Bulgarian property out in the country you can find some beautiful rambling farmhouses and villas which were built in the 1800s and early 1900s with spacious rooms and large verandas.
If you purchase a Bulgarian property from a by-gone era and you are concerned with maintaining the original character of the home during your renovation, here are some tips:
- Do your research! Find out what year the home was built in and then do some reading about the architectural history of the region during that time period. What was the dominant style in furnishings and decor? If you can find books and websites with illustrations and photographs of interiors from that time period these can be very helpful when renovating your Bulgarian property.
- When looking for period furnishings, do not just head to the antique dealer. It is true that you can find some fine items there, but most antique dealers find their items at estate sales and auctions and mark up the price. Try going to the auctions yourself to find a cheaper deal on quality antique furnishings.
- You can also look online on websites such as eBay and Craigslist to see if anyone is selling furniture and decor from the era of your Bulgarian property.
- Keep as many of the original architectural elements in place as possible, such as fireplaces and exposed beams. These are what give your Bulgarian property its character and they are not easily replaced.
- One feature that you might consider replacing with a modern version are the windows, as they might not have the insulating qualities as todays windows do. You can find double glazing windows in traditional styles which will match the original home yet offer you a lot more insulation.
- Avoid adding any features or decor which will be too trendy and look dated in a few years. Stick to classic antique pieces from the appropriate time period.
- When painting, research the kind of colours and surface treatments that would have been appropriate for the period.
Avoid any bright and modern looking colours and stick with traditional and subdued hues.
- Once you have renovated your Bulgarian property to its historical style, stay on the lookout for unique decorative items or functional pieces from the era which you could add to the home, such an old books, candles, and artwork.
Renovating a period Bulgarian property can be a very interesting project, especially if you are passionate about antiques and historical home furnishings. Have fun!
