Gifts for people who love period homes: ten ideas in handmade plaster

Buying for someone who adores their old house is hard: they already have opinions about everything in it. A small, well-made architectural detail is a safe bet. It is useful, it lasts and it does not clutter a shelf. Here are ideas by budget and effort.

Small and easy

• A light switch surround. Plaster surrounds turn a plain plastic plate into a feature. The Marlowe, Aster and Bexley are all easy to fit and paint. See all switch and socket surrounds.
• Decorative corner mouldings. A subtle detail for a shelf, mirror or cabinet. Browse decorative trimmings.

Something to light a room

• A bedside wall light. Compact, paintable and available in battery or mains versions, so it works even if the recipient rents; mains versions should be installed by a qualified electrician^[1]. Try the Bedside Wall Light.
• A scallop or shell wall light for coastal and Regency-loving homes.
• A pair of wall lights for a hallway or fireplace. See all wall lights.

The centrepiece gift

• A ceiling rose. The great period gift: cast plaster ornament became far more common from the mid to late 19th century, when fibrous plaster was cast in workshops and fixed in panels^[2]. Choose a size carefully: our sizing guide helps, and if you are unsure of the room, a smaller rose is safer. For low ceilings see ceiling roses for low ceilings.
• An overdoor pediment for a hallway or main reception room. Pedimented doorways survive on Georgian townhouses in Shrewsbury, for example^[3]. See do I need an overdoor?

How to get it right

1. Check the recipient's period and taste: Art Deco (the style of the 1920s and 1930s^[4]), Victorian, Georgian, modern. Which ceiling rose for your home? helps.
2. Pick a style that suits a range of rooms rather than one specific spot.
3. Ask yourself whether they can fit it. A switch surround or battery wall light is easy for anyone.
4. Allow time. Handmade pieces take longer to dispatch than off-the-shelf gifts, so order early for Christmas. See our shipping information.

If you are unsure

Tell us the style of the house, the room and a rough budget on our contact page and we will suggest something.

A few starting points

Marlowe Switch SurroundBedside Wall LightCatalyst Ceiling Rose

Frequently asked questions

What is a good gift for someone with a period home?

A plaster light switch surround, bedside wall light or ceiling rose in a style that suits their house.

Is a plaster wall light a good gift for renters?

Yes. Battery versions need no wiring, so they work in rented homes.

When should I order for Christmas?

Order early. Handmade pieces take longer to dispatch than off-the-shelf gifts; see our shipping page.

What if I do not know their style?

Tell us the house style, room and budget through our contact page and we will suggest something.