Case Study: Restoring Period Charm – Inside Scottish Edwardian’s Beautiful Home Renovation

Renovating a period home is about more than modern upgrades – it’s about honouring history while creating a space that feels timeless and personal. In this case study, we visit Emma, the creator behind @scottishedwardian, who is lovingly restoring her early 1900s home in Scotland.

Working with Bromleighs to choose the perfect sockets, Emma’s renovation shows how thoughtful details can transform a room while preserving its period charm.

A Home with History

Emma and her family have lived in their Edwardian home for just over a year, during which they’ve completed a remarkable amount of work. “It’s roughly from the 1900s,” she says, “and sadly I don’t have any proper history on the property, which I’d love to find out one day.”

However, the home holds a fascinating story. “It actually survived a bombing during World War II. They were trying to bomb Clydebank and accidentally bombed our village instead. About 200 yards away, there’s a church that was hit – now it’s just ruins. Even the gravestones nearby have massive chunks missing.”

That sense of history is what fuels Emma’s passion for the renovation. “I love to think about what life must have been like for people living here back then – lighting fires for warmth, where the maids might have lived…It makes it feel really special that we get to live here now.”

Designing a Space That’s Both Calm and Characterful

When it came to designing the family living space, Emma wanted to strike a balance between peaceful and playful. “I wanted it to be a calming space but still quirky and fun,” she explains. “I have two young boys who spend a lot of time in this room, so I wanted it to reflect them (hence the blue!)”

She chose a muted blue for a soft, restful backdrop, then introduced personality through statement pieces. “There are some fun and quirky aspects in the room, like the bright turquoise sofas and the bubble chandelier.”

Vintage pieces give the space its heart. “I’ve always given a nod to traditional features by adding vintage pieces of furniture,” she says. “The boudoir chair and round table both came from my great aunt.”

Why the Details Matter in Period Homes

Emma believes great design is all about cohesion. “The devil is in the detail!” she says. “When you have that holistic charm, when everything ties together, it takes a room from being nice to really having that wow impact.”

For homeowners renovating period properties, these finishing touches, such as sockets, switches and hardware, are often overlooked. Yet they’re crucial for preserving the integrity of a historic home. “When you see a design where those details haven’t been overlooked, you really realise how important they are for creating a big impact.”

How Bromleighs Helped Complete the Look

It was this appreciation for craftsmanship that led Emma to Bromleighs’ hammered brass sockets. “The house still has a lot of its original light switches and the Bromleighs sockets tie in beautifully with them,” she says. “They sit right beside the fireplace, which is a huge focal point in the room, so it was really important that they looked good.”

And guests agree. “People definitely notice them,” Emma laughs. “They make such a statement, but still feel authentic to the house.”

After living with them for a few weeks, Emma says the space now feels complete. “They make the room feel more thought out – a polished look that ties in perfectly with the home’s original features.”

The Power of Small Details in Period Design

When asked whether small details like switches and sockets really make a difference, Emma is certain:

“By giving these functional items their own place to sing, you create something elevated, curated and sophisticated. It just gives that overall wow factor!”

Her home is proof that in period renovations, the right details don’t just complete the look, they honour the story behind the house.

Follow the Journey

You can follow Emma’s ongoing renovation journey on Instagram at @scottishedwardian, where she shares more of her beautiful Edwardian interiors and thoughtful design updates.

For more design inspiration, behind-the-scenes projects and examples of how Bromleighs products are used in period homes, follow us at @Bromleighsltd.

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