Location: London
Background:
Gemma, best known on instagram as @jonquilhouselondon, is in the process of renovating her Victorian house in London. She was drawn to its strong period character... original brick outer walls, high ceilings and curved walls gave the property a sense of history that she felt was worth preserving rather than stripping back. From the outset, the aim for her wasn’t to modernise at the expense of character, but to allow the building’s original features blend with her take on modern design.
A Closer Look at Gemma’s Journey:
Gemma has been renovating the property gradually, taking a considered approach that respects the age of the house. Her design choices reflect a soft modern style layered over a Victorian framework, using neutral tones and natural materials to create a calm, liveable home perfect for her family. Ceiling roses and coving were introduced as a way to reinforce the proportions of the rooms while staying true to the home’s Victorian origins.
Before & After:
Before the updates, many of the rooms lacked definition at ceiling level, which made the generous ceiling heights feel underutilised. By adding ceiling roses throughout the bedrooms and shared living spaces, the rooms now feel more balanced and intentional. The roses sit comfortably alongside existing architectural details.
Products Used:
Plain Spun Plaster Ceiling Rose, Diameter 520MM MPR072
Gemma’s renovation shows how period features can be enhanced without overwhelming a space. By taking her time and choosing materials that suit the age of the property, she’s created a home that feels both practical and rooted in its history. The result is a thoughtful balance of old and new, where each addition feels purposeful.
Q&A
A closer look at Gemma’s journey:
What inspired your home renovation project, and what vision did you have in mind for the space?
“The original features of the house were the biggest inspiration for the renovation. The property is over 200 years old and has some beautiful architectural details that deserved to be protected and celebrated.”
Gemma owns a Victorian terraced house in London that she has been working on renovating for a while now, what drew her to this home is its period features like its original brick outer walls, high ceiling and curved walls.
“My vision was to create a home that supports modern living while enhancing the character and history of the space rather than erasing it.”
Gemma’s home aesthetics has a soft modern feel, with a warm, neutral colour palette running throughout. Being a Victorian property, she wanted to strike a balance between old and new, so chose to incorporate ceiling roses and coving.
What made you choose plaster ceiling roses for your property, and how have our products enhanced the overall look?
“I’ve worked with Plaster Ceiling Roses on a previous renovation and was really impressed by the quality.”
Previously, Gemma had installed ‘Victorian Coving York Medium Straight Run, Drop 120mm (code MPC072) which was a perfect feature to add to her home as it suits her high ceilings and perfectly complements her period home.
“For this project, I’ve added ceiling roses to all of the bedrooms and shared living spaces and they work harmoniously with the existing architectural details. They bring a sense of proportion to each room, helping the spaces feel complete rather than purely decorative.”
Gemma decided to go with our bestselling plain spun plaster ceiling rose this is not only a fabulous ceiling rose for Victoria properties but it’s versatile for all sorts of homes as it’s a simple & elegant design choice.
Can you describe the style and period of your property?
“The house is a Victorian property that was originally divided into a series of smaller, more formal rooms. The renovation plans reworked the layout to better suit modern family life while retaining the original character. The result is a more open, fluid home that nods gently to its original period. I’ve used lots of natural materials throughout; a mix of oak, stone and marble paired with a soft colour palette really make the space sing.”
Are there any particular challenges you’re facing during the renovation process, and how are you overcoming them?
“There are plenty, as with any older property, challenges are part of the process! Some are expected, others less so. I naturally like to see quick results, but experience has taught me that slow and steady wins the period renovation race. This time around, I’m tackling challenges with careful planning and considered decision-making rather than rushing, which has made a huge difference to both the outcome and the enjoyment of the project.”
When undergoing renovations, it’s extremely important that you have a plan on going about your renovation. For example when installing a ceiling rose, it’s key that you prep the area you’re working with so that nothing gets damaged / gets any mess on like adhesive.
When installing a ceiling rose, always turn off the power first, then prepare the ceiling by sanding and marking, drill a central hole in the rose for wires, use our strong adhesive (which is available to buy on our website) and always add screws into joists, thread wires through, and push into place, ensuring the correct wiring connections for your light fitting.
What made you choose our ceiling roses product?
“I chose plaster ceiling roses because they felt like the most sympathetic choice for a property of this age. The material quality elevate the rooms rather than feeling like an afterthought or a modern imitation.”
All of our roses are handmade, made from the finest gypsum plaster. If your ordering a large rose, we have are own delivery team who will provide quick and efficient service (all over the UK) and hand deliver to you.
Gemma ordered two of our Plain Spun Plaster Ceiling Rose, Diameter 520MM (code MPR072) . This particular model remains one of our most popular designs due to it blending well with all interiors.
Who installed your rose / coving?
“Me - with the help of my carpenter husband! We love being hands-on with the renovation wherever possible and installing the roses ourselves has been a really satisfying part of the process.”
Gemma felt confident to install her own ceiling rose - however if you’re looking for a nearby installer (fibrehand), feel free to get in touch - we can recommend an independent fitter in your area, (we have a database of installers throughout the UK).
If you are planning on installing your cornice and roses yourself, I advise you to checkout these videos below for some guidance.
How to mix your adhesive:
https://youtu.be/PUP7Z9hJhlI?si=TdrpSGG7xSZ1OEP5
How to install your Plaster Ceiling Rose:
https://youtu.be/UJwFhvnLLaQ?si=htSgCe_fLyEJ2pFe
How to install your coving: