Feature
26 A functional and practical boot room was
designed towards the front of the Lower
Ground Floor, with full height black metal
and glass double Crittal doors opening onto
the kitchen.

Extra skylights were installed in the family
living area ceiling, and a new glass floor was
installed in the conservatory above to bring
as much light as possible into the space,
helping to provide a light airy feel.

The bespoke joinery kitchen featured an
island with bar stools at one end, a traditional
butler sink, and pendant lights above. The
kitchen joinery units were designed in a
traditional shaker style, contemporized with
riven dark bronze handles.

A new traditional style staircase replacement
was specified to visually match the existing
core staircase throughout the rest of the
house. opened onto the new open plan formal
reception/dining area. The formal reception/
dining area had high ceilings at the front of
the space and lower ceilings towards the
back, giving it a quirky feel. The front of the
space featured traditional sash windows with
the original shutters, while the back featured
a contemporary dark grey aluminum framed
window and conservatory, both of which
looked out over the garden.

To create a cohesive feel throughout the
property, the flooring for the Lower Ground
Floor and Upper Ground Floor was the same
warm-toned, pale grey, wide plank timber.

Aesthetically, it was decided to accentuate
the positives within the space, emphasizing
the ceiling height and drawing attention to
the views of the garden beyond.

Upper Ground Floor
The Upper Ground Floor was created
primarily as an open plan space for formal
living and dining.

It was important to facilitate and control
the movement of naturally occurring dark
tones and shadows at the front of the
property, progressing to the bright light-filled
conservatory at the back, while at the same
time creating a cohesive whole. This was
done by way of colour and texture within
the decor scheme, as well as the materials
chosen for the furniture pieces, emphasizing
both light and dark.

In the dining area, the dining table seated
8, with a long, deep buttoned, bespoke
upholstered banquette along one wall.

The small space under the stairs was created
into a casual study area. By clever use of
lighting, the exposed original brickwork wall
under the stairs was enhanced, making the
nook an inviting feature of the Lower Ground
Floor. The family living area was placed to the rear
adjacent to the garden. Access to the garden
was via new contemporary dark grey folding
sliding aluminum doors along the whole of
the back wall, allowing the whole space to
open onto the rugged concrete tiled terrace
area and the garden beyond.

The family space featured a robust leather
L-shaped sofa and Berber style rug, with a
bespoke pale grey lacquer joinery cabinet
housing a recessed 65” TV, with a bespoke
soundbar below.

A smaller entrance hall was designed
featuring a traditional style black and white
marble floor, defining the area and creating
an aesthetic reference to the property’s
history. Skirting boards, dado rails, and
picture rails were all painted black, as
was the lacquered full-width bespoke
coats cupboard. As a counterpoint to the
traditional features, contemporary details
were added such as a large delicate wire and
perspex pendant light, an arched metal-
framed foxed glass wall mirror, and a marble
and brass console table.

From the entrance hallway, simultaneous
opening, double paneled pocket doors
A dark colour scheme of navy blue on the
walls was used throughout to unite the
spaces, with a paler grey used on the ceilings
to help visually mitigate the differences in
ceiling heights.

Original features were maintained, restored,
and in some cases replicated. This included
the window shutters, the skirtings, dado
rails, and coving. The two original black slate
fireplaces were renovated and restored to
working order.

The original core staircase with its beautiful
banister rail was renovated, with the bottom
section re-made to match the original,
while turning elegantly into the room.

Contemporary architectural elements
included the new full height dark grey
aluminum framed window and conservatory,
which acted as a counterpoint to all the
traditional features which were maintained.

A mix of vintage and modern furniture pieces
were installed throughout. Washed out
vintage rugs in pale corals, pinks, and oranges
brought colour and light to the space and
helped to balance the dark colour scheme,
while a sumptuous dark grey velvet sofa in a
traditional style, and comfy tan leather club
chairs, enhanced the space.