Colonial Period Design
Reviving History with Heritage Moulding and Door Company
Discover Timeless Craftsmanship Inspired by the Colonial Period
For over two decades, Heritage Moulding and Door, a division of Australian Moulding and Door Company, has worked with leading Australian tradespeople, builders, and renovators to preserve and enhance the legacy of historical Australian homes. Our specialised focus on the Colonial Period of architecture empowers us to recreate the understated elegance and enduring detail of this important design era through precision mouldings, bespoke joinery, and custom interior elements.
The Colonial Period in Australia, spanning the late 18th to mid-19th centuries, is known for its restrained yet dignified architectural features. Characterised by symmetry, proportion, and function, this period has a charm and character that has never faded. We take immense pride in recreating the details of this era—from traditional skirting boards and architraves to solid timber doors and timeless wainscoting—using modern materials and manufacturing techniques while respecting original designs.
Understanding Colonial Period Architecture
The Colonial Period brought British and European influences to Australian design. Homes were typically modest in size but rich in craftsmanship, built to withstand the local climate and provide comfort through natural ventilation, shaded verandas, and generous interior proportions.
Some hallmark features of Colonial Period homes include:
- Symmetrical facades and hipped roofs
- Timber or stone construction
- Simple yet refined decorative detailing
- Multi-paned sash windows with shutters
- Wide verandas supported by turned timber posts
- Modest yet elegant internal trim work
Internally, these homes featured functional layouts with high ceilings, thick walls, and quality woodwork used throughout. The beauty was in the details—every architrave, door, and skirting board contributing to a unified, thoughtful design.
Our mission is to preserve and recreate that vision, helping homeowners and professionals achieve heritage authenticity with modern quality and performance.
Custom Skirting Boards and Architraves – Precision Meets Period Detail
One of the most defining aspects of Colonial Period interiors is the use of wide, clean-lined skirting boards and elegantly modest architraves. Unlike the more flamboyant Victorian or Edwardian styles that followed, the Colonial style leans towards simplicity—yet with a solid sense of craftsmanship.
Our range includes:
- Straight-lined, chamfered skirtings with minimal ornamentation
- Flat-faced or gently curved architraves
- Corner blocks and plinth blocks for traditional finishes
With nearly 6,000 profiles in our design archive, we can match virtually any profile from the Colonial Period, or create a bespoke solution to replicate a sample or photo. This ensures continuity throughout restoration projects or accurate replication in new builds.
Choose from a wide variety of materials:
- Moisture Resistant Medium Density Fibreboard (MRMDF)
- Finger Jointed Pine
- Clear Pine
- Meranti
- American Oak
- Western Red Cedar
- Kiln Dried Hardwoods
All profiles can be adjusted in scale or finish to suit ceiling height, interior paint schemes, or your chosen timber aesthetic.
Solid Timber Doors – Function and Heritage Fused
Solid timber doors are at the heart of Colonial interiors. Whether used as bold entry features or understated internal joinery, our hand-built solid timber doors combine traditional style with modern structural integrity.
During the Colonial Period, internal and external doors were constructed from solid timber with recessed or fielded panels. Most often, they were painted or stained, with period-authentic hardware such as iron or brass hinges, handles, and keyhole escutcheons.
We offer an extensive range of Colonial-style door options, including:
- 2-panel and 4-panel internal doors with flat or fielded panels
- Classic front doors with glass inserts or sidelights
- French doors with true divided lights and matching profiles
All doors are crafted at our Victorian-based facility using:
- American Oak for rich, elegant grain
- Meranti for durability and strength
- Blackbutt and Spotted Gum for a natural Australian look
- MRMDF for paint-grade interiors
Doors are finished to your specifications and can be provided raw, primed, or pre-finished. Fire-rated and BAL-compliant options are available.
Wainscoting – Colonial Simplicity, Elevated
Unlike the highly decorative wainscoting of the Victorian era, Colonial Period wainscoting was defined by its straightforward lines and practical appeal. Used traditionally to protect walls from damage, particularly in dining rooms, halls, and stairways, it also created a visual balance between floor and ceiling.
Today, we reproduce these wainscot paneling styles for a range of applications:
- Chair-height beadboard wainscoting for hallways and bathrooms
- Full-wall flat panel designs for libraries and lounges
- Colonial-replica panels to replicate original joinery
Our wainscoting is made from:
- Moisture-resistant MDF for painted interiors
- Clear Pine for natural or stained finishes
- Solid hardwood for high-end heritage restoration
Our design team works closely with you to achieve the correct panel height, spacing, and rail profiles to reflect the authentic Colonial Period look and feel.
Our Heritage Timber Range
Every profile and product we offer is available in a wide array of materials to suit both your aesthetic and practical needs:
- American Oak: Known for its durability and strong, visible grain—ideal for feature doors
- Victorian Ash and Tasmanian Oak: Light-toned timbers perfect for painting or staining
- Meranti and Cedar: Favoured for external use thanks to their weather resistance
- Clear Pine and Finger Jointed Pine: Budget-friendly and stable, ideal for interior trim
- MRMDF: Great for painted finishes with crisp detailing
All timber is sourced ethically and processed on-site for quality assurance. If you require a particular species not listed, we can usually source it upon request.
Profile Matching and Custom Moulding Services
Have a piece of original skirting or architrave you'd like matched?
No problem. Our custom profile matching service allows us to:
- Digitally scan or measure your existing piece
- Recreate it in CAD
- Produce an exact replica in your choice of timber
This service is perfect for homeowners looking to restore or extend heritage homes while keeping every room consistent and true to its original aesthetic.
Applications of Colonial Profiles in Modern Spaces
Colonial Period mouldings and doors aren’t just for older homes. Many clients now incorporate these features into:
- New homes with traditional styling
- Extensions to heritage properties
- Commercial or hospitality spaces seeking a timeless interior
These features help build character and continuity—something mass-market mouldings simply can’t achieve.
Colonial Period Design
Why Builders and Designers Trust Heritage Moulding and Door
- Unmatched Design Range: With nearly 6,000 mouldings to choose from, your project is in capable hands
- Made in Australia: All products are made in-house at our Bayswater, VIC factory
- Dedicated Heritage Team: Our experts understand the nuance of each architectural era
- Custom Joinery Services: For when your project demands something unique
- Fast Turnaround: Standard and custom orders delivered on time, every time
Visit Our Showroom and Experience Colonial Craftsmanship First-Hand
Words and photos only do so much. To truly appreciate the quality and authenticity of our Colonial Period range, visit our showroom in Melbourne.
- Browse physical samples
- Explore timber options
- Speak to a knowledgeable consultant
- Request a design consultation