Expansion of the basement added more residential area to the slender, vertical house
A Modern Twist on a Historical Gem: The Renovation of a Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse in London
In the heart of the city, a Georgian townhouse has been given a fresh lease of life, blending the best of old and new. Harriet and Andrew, the new homeowners, purchased this Grade II listed property with a vision to create a more modern living space while preserving its historic character.
The renovation, led by the design team at @doandco.studio, involved a thoughtful reversal of previous uninspired refurbishments. The townhouse, which originally lacked lateral living space and connection with the outdoors, now boasts an open-plan kitchen-diner-living space, a stylish basement living area, and a private courtyard oasis in the form of a garden.
Design Elements
The kitchen and dining area, while not detailed in full architectural drawings, embrace a blend of heritage and contemporary design. This is typical of Georgian renovations like this one, focusing on stylish and compact solutions common in heritage homes. The living room, painted in pale neutral tones, has been given a contemporary twist with the addition of contemporary glass sputnik chandeliers and brass details by Olivia Clasper, the founder of Assembly Interiors, who was appointed as the interior designer.
The home office is painted in Ho Ho Green by Little Greene, a soothing shade that adds to the overall neutral scheme. The main bedroom features wisteria wallpaper from Iksel and warm brass fittings in the bathroom, creating a cosy and inviting space.
The Garden
The garden, designed by Jane Holtham, was transformed from a rundown gravelled area into a private courtyard oasis featuring limestone cobbles, new fencing for privacy, and additional greenery. A sunken terrace was pushed back with stepped planting, creating a welcoming and usable garden environment in central London.
Basement Living Area
The basement living area, realised through collaboration with Charles Barclay Architects, features playful scalloped upholstery, shapely lamps, and houseplants to soften the straight lines of the architecture.
Planning Permission and Architectural Process
As a Grade II listed property, the renovation required detailed drawings and sensitive planning approvals to maintain the historic character. However, explicit documents or planning application details were not described in the sources.
Staircase
The original staircase, with its elegant ironwork, has been preserved, and a timeless sisal runner with rods from Crucial Trading adds a touch of sophistication.
A Successful Renovation
In summary, the renovation involved a thoughtful reversal of previous uninspired refurbishments by combining historic Georgian features with modern design elements across key spaces including the kitchen, bathroom, and garden, guided by professional designers experienced in heritage London homes. The emphasis was on improving light, privacy, and usability without compromising the townhouse’s listed status.
Harriet and Andrew can now enjoy alfresco dinners in the garden, a leafy and not overlooked oasis in the heart of the city. The renovation has successfully achieved its aim of creating a modern living space while preserving the historic character of this beautiful Georgian townhouse.
The home office and main bedroom, being part of this historic Georgian townhouse renovation, were-designed with contemporary styles, as seen in the Ho Ho Green paint color and wisteria wallpaper, respectively, creating a unique balance between the house's history and modern lifestyle. The garden, transformed by Jane Holtham's design, blends interior-design elements with home-and-garden touches, such as houseplants and cobblestones, to create a private, stylish exterior space. The overall renovation project, led by designers experienced in heritage homes like @doandco.studio and Assembly Interiors, showcases the potential for igniting new life into historical properties while still maintaining their traditional character, making it a wonderful example of interior design and home-and-garden blooming in harmony.
