Houzz Tour: A Georgian Home Blends Period Features and Modern Design
Modern materials and cool technology bring this Grade ll listed home into the 21st century without sacrificing its period charm
Lara Sargent
22 March 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
When the owners of this Grade II listed Georgian property first laid eyes on the interior, it was in a state of total disrepair, having been vacant for more than three years. ‘The mansion house had previously been used for commercial purposes before being converted into residential dwellings,’ says designer Cherie Lee, who took on the project, ‘so a lot of the character from the house had been lost or removed.’
The couple wanted the interior of their home, which covers one-third of the total space, to be sympathetic to the era of the property, but with a contemporary twist. Local authorities were supportive of the works, given the property had been vacant for some time. ‘We made few changes to the exterior, which might have been more difficult,’ explains Lee. The result is a beautiful and spacious home spread out over three floors, blending traditional fixtures with modern materials, such as steel and glass, and cutting-edge home technology.
The couple wanted the interior of their home, which covers one-third of the total space, to be sympathetic to the era of the property, but with a contemporary twist. Local authorities were supportive of the works, given the property had been vacant for some time. ‘We made few changes to the exterior, which might have been more difficult,’ explains Lee. The result is a beautiful and spacious home spread out over three floors, blending traditional fixtures with modern materials, such as steel and glass, and cutting-edge home technology.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A couple and their two pet pugs
Location Essendon, Hertfordshire
Property A Grade II listed Georgian property, one-third of a former mansion house
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Designer Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors
The renovated and revamped home is a sophisticated and luxurious blend of old and new. ‘We worked alongside a local architect and building firm to renovate the home and were involved from the very beginning,’ says designer Cherie Lee.
‘The home was to be an entertaining space for the couple, but be suitable for a family in the future. The clients wanted a mix of period features and contemporary living,’ she adds.
Who lives here A couple and their two pet pugs
Location Essendon, Hertfordshire
Property A Grade II listed Georgian property, one-third of a former mansion house
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Designer Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors
The renovated and revamped home is a sophisticated and luxurious blend of old and new. ‘We worked alongside a local architect and building firm to renovate the home and were involved from the very beginning,’ says designer Cherie Lee.
‘The home was to be an entertaining space for the couple, but be suitable for a family in the future. The clients wanted a mix of period features and contemporary living,’ she adds.
The large living space is divided into a formal sitting room around the fireplace on one side, and a relaxed TV/cinema area on the other.
‘We didn’t want to actually partition the space, but the introduction of a single step shows that they are separate areas,’ explains the designer. The flooring is antique French oak.
Arctic Pear chandelier, Ochre. Sofa, Roche Bobois. Coffee table, Brissi. Rug, Knots Rugs.
‘We didn’t want to actually partition the space, but the introduction of a single step shows that they are separate areas,’ explains the designer. The flooring is antique French oak.
Arctic Pear chandelier, Ochre. Sofa, Roche Bobois. Coffee table, Brissi. Rug, Knots Rugs.
Because the building had been used for commercial purposes, most of the original period features had gone, but Lee sourced replacements. ‘The windows are original, but they’re the only things that are! We chose period cornices and ceiling mouldings to reflect the age of the property.’
Mouldings and cornice restoration, Stevensons of Norwich. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Piano, antique Blüthner.
Mouldings and cornice restoration, Stevensons of Norwich. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Piano, antique Blüthner.
The other end of the living space can quickly be transformed into a home cinema. At the touch of a button, a retractable projector screen drops down, while generous sofas offer a comfy spot for viewers.
Sound system, Artcoustic.
Sound system, Artcoustic.
‘Despite having large windows, the property lacked light, particularly in the hallway,’ says Lee. ‘We removed walls between the hall and living area, kitchen and dining room and replaced them with glazed screens to allow the rooms to be flooded with light.’
The flooring in the hall is white marble, which helps to bounce the light around.
Walls painted in Brilliant White, Dulux.
The flooring in the hall is white marble, which helps to bounce the light around.
Walls painted in Brilliant White, Dulux.
As well as commissioning bespoke fireplaces, the interior design team installed antique pieces to give the property back a sense of age. This huge mirror propped up against the entrance hall wall is an antique. The turquoise pouffe, meanwhile, injects a burst of colour.
The modern kitchen is by Roundhouse, with cabinetry painted in a mix of black and white. ‘We wanted the white cabinetry to blend in with the walls to make the large marble island the wow feature,’ explains the designer. ‘The feel was to be glamorous but lived-in, with a bit of an industrial edge,’ she adds.
LED strip lighting above the tall units and beneath the island add an additional glow to the room, complemented by bronze pendant lights.
Kitchen, Roundhouse. Ovens, Gaggenau. Bar stools, Rockett St George. Pendant lights, Contardi. Cabinetry painted in Off-White and Off-Black, Farrow & Ball.
LED strip lighting above the tall units and beneath the island add an additional glow to the room, complemented by bronze pendant lights.
Kitchen, Roundhouse. Ovens, Gaggenau. Bar stools, Rockett St George. Pendant lights, Contardi. Cabinetry painted in Off-White and Off-Black, Farrow & Ball.
The base units in the island are painted black to stand out against the white marble. ‘We decided to contrast the island and wall units and shelves with the rest of the cabinetry to make the more interesting parts stand out,’ says the designer. ‘They also tied in with the black polished-plaster wall in the dining room.’
The sunken gas hob maintains the sleek, uninterrupted lines of the handle-free cabinetry.
Hob, Barazza.
The sunken gas hob maintains the sleek, uninterrupted lines of the handle-free cabinetry.
Hob, Barazza.
The dining room is linked to the kitchen via a glazed screen, allowing light to flow throughout the space.
The inky black polished-plaster wall contrasts with the glass and steel partitions and the reinstated traditional wall mouldings. The result is grand yet thoroughly modern and packed with drama.
Glass chandelier, Baroncelli. Chair, Timothy Oulton. Floral art above dining table, Ashley Woodson Bailey.
The inky black polished-plaster wall contrasts with the glass and steel partitions and the reinstated traditional wall mouldings. The result is grand yet thoroughly modern and packed with drama.
Glass chandelier, Baroncelli. Chair, Timothy Oulton. Floral art above dining table, Ashley Woodson Bailey.
The design team overhauled the stairwell to create a modern, interesting and light-filled space. ‘We introduced a large faux roof light [an LED panel above frosted glass] above the stairs, which is set on a timer to turn on and off in line with daylight hours. It makes the stairwell much brighter,’ Lee explains.
‘The simple glass balustrades give a contemporary and bright feel to the previously dark staircase.’
Lighting, Buster & Punch. Balustrades, Balustrade UK.
‘The simple glass balustrades give a contemporary and bright feel to the previously dark staircase.’
Lighting, Buster & Punch. Balustrades, Balustrade UK.
The master bedroom is an easy-on-the-eye blend of luxurious fabrics and industrial accents, thanks to the ornate upholstered bed and reclaimed brick slips. Mirrored bedside tables up the luxe factor.
Bedside tables, LuxDeco. Lamps, John Lewis. Bed linen, The White Company.
Bedside tables, LuxDeco. Lamps, John Lewis. Bed linen, The White Company.
The spacious master bedroom continues in the same style as the rest of the property, with traditional furniture sitting happily next to a contemporary fireplace with a bespoke, polished-plaster chimney breast.
Chairs, LuxDeco; upholstered in fabric from Romo. Fire, Modus Fireplaces.
Chairs, LuxDeco; upholstered in fabric from Romo. Fire, Modus Fireplaces.
For an even more luxurious touch, the master bedroom has ‘his and hers’ bathrooms. The en suite for the female owner is a romantic, glamorous affair, complete with freestanding copper bath and glorious views out to the garden.
Bath, William Holland. Blind, made from Designers Guild fabric. Freestanding unit, Marks & Spencer. Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
See ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
Bath, William Holland. Blind, made from Designers Guild fabric. Freestanding unit, Marks & Spencer. Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
See ways to give your bathroom a dash of designer style
‘His’ en suite has a more masculine mood, with wall-to-wall slate tiles and a powerful, ceiling-mounted shower. ‘We created an outdoor feel with the rain shower and mixture of smooth and split-face slate on the walls,’ explains the designer. ‘The living wall foliage adds to the outdoor ambience.’
Honed slate, Topps Tiles. Living wall plants, Cox & Cox.
Check out tiled floor ideas for every room
Honed slate, Topps Tiles. Living wall plants, Cox & Cox.
Check out tiled floor ideas for every room
A snug/games room adds an additional space for entertaining, complete with freestanding bar.
‘The artwork is actually mostly very affordable,’ says Lee. ‘We used a selection from Rockett St George and Print Club London mainly. The owners like to use art to bring out their personalities and add humour to the more fun areas in the house.’
Bar, Buster & Punch.
‘The artwork is actually mostly very affordable,’ says Lee. ‘We used a selection from Rockett St George and Print Club London mainly. The owners like to use art to bring out their personalities and add humour to the more fun areas in the house.’
Bar, Buster & Punch.
This guest bedroom has a mostly monochrome palette, warmed up by soft textures and beautiful antique oak flooring.
Four-poster bed, Lombok. Feature wall painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Chair, Bodie and Fou.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Georgian home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Four-poster bed, Lombok. Feature wall painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Chair, Bodie and Fou.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Georgian home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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great job! what about barstools? nobody love sit on it.
Gorgeous! The interior designer has created a wonderfully classic space.I especially like the formal sitting room.