Excludes Rug Pads, One of a Kind Rugs and Rio Mats.Skip to main content You are here » » » Energy-Efficient WindowsAdd a product to your basket by entering the article number:Laila needs your knowledge: I live in an older rental house in Canada, where temperatures often reach -35C (-31F!) in the winter. I'm wondering if there are any clever winter-proofing things I can do to decrease my energy consumption and heating bill over the winter — besides the standard heavy duty heat shrink plastic over the windows, which we already do. I tend to be cold all the time to begin with, so packing on a third sweater starts to feel excessive. I have visions in my head of castle-style wall tapestries in the bedroom to warm the freezing cold wall behind my back. I know there are plenty of solutions out there, but I need something functional, not super ugly, and suitable for rental homes — i.e., not a brand-new heating system combined with better insulation. What have you got, Homies?

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If the fine detail of the plasterwork has been obscured by many layers of paint, it's best to strip it back to the original distemper - try PeelAway 1 paint stripper, £23.07 from decoratingdirect.co.uk. * To replace damaged plasterwork, try Butcher Plaster Works - 020 7313 6509 - who can match almost all mouldings and make you a replacement, or create a new mould for you if they can't match it.nirvano curtains * You can usually tell if a rose has been removed, from unevenness on the ceiling. dunelm curtains enfieldWhen adding a new rose, align it with the centre of the chimney breast rather than the centre of the ceiling. You can order pieces from Lee Way (0121 449 8525) made from polymer, they are lighter than plaster. * Poorly insulated sash windows are a common occurrence. Storm Windows (01384 636365), are specialists in fittingbespoke secondary glazing without hiding original period features.

* If you need to replace windows entirely, go to a specialist, such as Bygone Collection (0800 591854). Their windows could cut heat loss by 75 per cent and they have a huge range of authentic styles to choose from. * Try The Original Box Sash Window Company (01735 858196) for single- and double-glazed sash windows, fully draft-proofed and made in timber that has been treated to last. * If you wish to reinstate a working fireplace, its best to call in a builder to carry out any structural work. Some specialist firms, such as Acquisitions (0845 094 1644), can design you a repro fireplace and fit it for you. * Browse through stock of several hundred original pieces, as well as reproduction items at Chesney's Antique Fireplace Warehouse (020 7627 1410). Their experts can advise on the correct choice of fireplace for your home. The Victorian collection starts from £595. * Try Stovax - 01392 474011 - for hand-cast reproduction cast-iron fireplaces for solidfuel and gas effect fires, from £379.

* Bisque radiators has a range of traditional radiators with showrooms in Bath and London - the 'Classic' design is especially popular for Victorian homes. * Beautiful fireplaces and surrounds can be found in salvage yards, so it's worth investigating further. * Manufacturers of all types of hardwood flooring, Heritage Woodcraft (01455 890800) has a large stock of strip flooring and planking, ideal if you are repairing sections of a wooden floor. * Criterion Tiles (020 7736 9610) is an invaluable resource for wall and floor tiles from the Victorian period, including discontinued tiles. Kitchens have come a long way from the hot, overcrowded powerhouses of the mid Victorian household, so a faithful recreation of a period kitchen would hardly suit the demands of modern living. * Smallbone of Devizes' (020 7589 5998) Mandarin collection, with its lightly recessed panels, takes inspiration from the Arts & Crafts tradition and would suit a 1860's Victorian house.

* Magnet's 'Shaker' kitchen combines freestanding pieces and a Belfast sink for a traditional look, from £5,273. * Crabtree Kitchens (020 8392 6955) make bespoke designs using traditional joinery techniques, and are happy to match a kitchen to your home's architectural features. * Fired Earth's (01295 810832) 'Shaker' range incorporates freestanding washstands for an authentic Victorian look, from £1,041. * The 'Savoy' bathroom suite from The Bath Store (0800 023 2323) is influenced by Victorian design and starts from£20 for a robe hook. * Heritage Bathroom's (0844 701 8501) Victoria' suite combines a freestanding bath with claw feet and a pedestal wash basin, from £2,715. * The Water Monopoly (020 7624 2636) has an extensive range of freestanding baths and showers, including rare antique pieces in copper and ceramics. * CP Hart's (0845 600 1950) freestanding baths are a modern take onthe traditional roll top bath, ideal for a subtly contemporary feel.

* Opt for a cast-iron bath - the 'Spey' bath, from £3,450 from Drummonds. * London Door Company - 020 7801 0877 - offers period and contemporary doors madein solid hardwood. * For finishing touches, The Victorian Ironmonger (01588 660157) has original letterboxes, door knobs, eschutcheons and latches. Victorians used deep and shapely skirting boards throughout their homes. Most original designs can still be bought from stores, such as B&Q. These were used to protect wallcoverings from chair backs. You can usually see where a dado rail would have been. Try House Martin 0845 838 1296 - to choose from a selection of rails, as well as adhesives and tools needed for the job. From £4.49 per 200cm rail. These should be placed 1ft to 1ft 8in below the ceiling cornice to form a frieze. Wickes do a pine picture rail from £5.05, which best resembles the Victorian style, or try ukhomeinteriors.co.uk for more elaborate styles. * Twyford bathrooms was established in 1849.