Houzz Tour: A Period Home Gets a Sensitive Contemporary Update
Refreshing a Regency townhouse room by room allowed its new owners to achieve the relaxed elegance they were after
Buying a period house that’s not only structurally sound, but blessed with lofty ceilings, elegant proportions and masses of original features is surely the dream – and yet there was an added advantage for the new owners of this property in Leamington Spa. As no major building works were needed, the young family didn’t have to move out while Harriet Sinclair-Wilson, of Fable Interiors, worked on a room-by-room basis around them.
“It was a beautiful house before we got started, with very good bones in terms of character, but it just wasn’t to their style and they wanted it to feel right for them,” Harriet says. “They also needed the house to be practical for family life, so we did a couple of rooms at a time and structured it so the work wasn’t all done in one go.”
“It was a beautiful house before we got started, with very good bones in terms of character, but it just wasn’t to their style and they wanted it to feel right for them,” Harriet says. “They also needed the house to be practical for family life, so we did a couple of rooms at a time and structured it so the work wasn’t all done in one go.”
Harriet took out the existing carpet and replaced it with engineered oak floorboards. She also developed a colour palette that would form a theme for the whole house, balancing splashes of strong colour with calm neutrals to give the interior a contemporary feel without ignoring the building’s heritage.
“The couple really liked bold blues, greens and mustards,” Harriet says, “but we also tried to soften them by adding in more natural materials, such as wood, wool, linen and velvet, to give a warm feel.”
By keeping the walls and ceiling pale, Harriet made the most of the natural light flooding in from the bay window and allowed elements including the sofa and fireplace to become focal points. Installing open shelving in the alcoves either side of the chimney breast created extra space for decorative and homely touches.
Walls painted in Shaded White; woodwork and ceiling painted in Wimborne White, both Farrow & Ball.
“The couple really liked bold blues, greens and mustards,” Harriet says, “but we also tried to soften them by adding in more natural materials, such as wood, wool, linen and velvet, to give a warm feel.”
By keeping the walls and ceiling pale, Harriet made the most of the natural light flooding in from the bay window and allowed elements including the sofa and fireplace to become focal points. Installing open shelving in the alcoves either side of the chimney breast created extra space for decorative and homely touches.
Walls painted in Shaded White; woodwork and ceiling painted in Wimborne White, both Farrow & Ball.
“We made a little play area at the other end of the living room,” Harriet says of this fun spot for the children. “The tipi creates a little kids’ reading nook and a place for quiet time, while the adult area is where the parents can chill and watch TV in the evenings.”
Tipi; wall hanging, both Scandiborn. Rug, Ferm Living.
Tipi; wall hanging, both Scandiborn. Rug, Ferm Living.
Next up for renovation was the study, which is across the hallway from the living room. Harriet transformed this space – previously the formal dining room and complete with an original fireplace – into a spacious home office.
“We put a large table in the middle for meetings or brainstorming sessions,” Harriet says. “The light comes into the property at the front and means the room can take colour really well, so we thought we’d push it a little in here and go for something bold on the walls.”
She backed the bookcases either side of the fireplace in blue wallpaper with a dainty copper pattern to add interest.
Walls and cabinetry painted in Stiffkey Blue; bookcase backed in Samphire wallpaper in Stiffkey Blue, both Farrow & Ball.
“We put a large table in the middle for meetings or brainstorming sessions,” Harriet says. “The light comes into the property at the front and means the room can take colour really well, so we thought we’d push it a little in here and go for something bold on the walls.”
She backed the bookcases either side of the fireplace in blue wallpaper with a dainty copper pattern to add interest.
Walls and cabinetry painted in Stiffkey Blue; bookcase backed in Samphire wallpaper in Stiffkey Blue, both Farrow & Ball.
The previous owners had already extended at the back and installed an open-plan kitchen and dining area. “All we had to do in here was make it feel right for the family,” Harriet says.
A fresh coat of bold paint brought a contemporary edge to the existing cream and oak cabinetry, which Harriet finished off with some new brass handles.
A fresh coat of bold paint brought a contemporary edge to the existing cream and oak cabinetry, which Harriet finished off with some new brass handles.
“One thing we were aware of when choosing a cabinetry colour was to keep in mind that the worktops are black, so we wanted to go dark, but not too dark,” Harriet says. “The walls are pale grey and the ceiling is white – it’s quite a big space and we wanted it to contrast well without feeling stark.”
Cabinetry painted in Blue 07, Lick. Walls painted in Dimpse, Farrow & Ball. Brass handles, Corston.
Cabinetry painted in Blue 07, Lick. Walls painted in Dimpse, Farrow & Ball. Brass handles, Corston.
“We were going to change the pendants so they matched, because one’s black [out of shot] and one’s copper, but in the end we decided they worked really well as they are,” Harriet says.
The spacious cloakroom gave Harriet an opportunity to take the palette in a fresh direction. “We hunted for a nice patterned wallpaper that was quite delicate, and we liked the fact this nude pink colour was a contrast to the rest of the house,” she says.
Sideboard, Swoon. Mirror, Rowen & Wren. Mombasa wallpaper in Cinnamon, Thibaut.
Sideboard, Swoon. Mirror, Rowen & Wren. Mombasa wallpaper in Cinnamon, Thibaut.
For continuity, Harriet took the high-contrast palette up the stairs to the first floor landing.
Lower walls painted in Goblin, Little Greene. Upper walls painted in White Tie, Farrow & Ball.
Lower walls painted in Goblin, Little Greene. Upper walls painted in White Tie, Farrow & Ball.
The idea for the carefully considered colours in the main bedroom sprang from a collaboration with an artist, whom Harriet commissioned to create the artwork above the bed.
Artwork, Kanica.
Artwork, Kanica.
“I used those colours to pull the rest of the room together,” Harriet says. “The curtains are bespoke and we matched the stripes with the art. We thought about whether to do a wooden floor in here, but felt that carpet was more cosy and inviting.”
Bedside table and lamp, Neptune.
Bedside table and lamp, Neptune.
In the family bathroom, Harriet suggested installing a stud wall to create a walk-in shower area at the back. The couple loved the idea and, as it would involve the most structural work yet, they planned a family holiday so the builders could get going while they were away.
“This room was a complete remodel – everything you see is brand new,” Harriet says. “We wanted that contrast, so we chose dark navy hexagonal floor tiles and teamed them with white metro-style tiles on the walls.
“One thing that works particularly well in terms of the tiling was the finish and not just running them flat,” she continues. “The tiler came up with a way of cutting the tiles along the top row to make them shorter, so you have the double chevron – there’s a flow to where the tiles finish and the painted walls start.”
Floor and wall tiles, Claybrook.
“This room was a complete remodel – everything you see is brand new,” Harriet says. “We wanted that contrast, so we chose dark navy hexagonal floor tiles and teamed them with white metro-style tiles on the walls.
“One thing that works particularly well in terms of the tiling was the finish and not just running them flat,” she continues. “The tiler came up with a way of cutting the tiles along the top row to make them shorter, so you have the double chevron – there’s a flow to where the tiles finish and the painted walls start.”
Floor and wall tiles, Claybrook.
It took time to choose a freestanding bath with just the right silhouette. “I did a lot of mock-ups, looking at different shapes and how they would look against that stud wall,” Harriet says.
Once it was chosen, getting the heavy stone bath up the stairs and into position turned out to be a challenge in itself. But it was all worth it, as the owners love this room.
Once it was chosen, getting the heavy stone bath up the stairs and into position turned out to be a challenge in itself. But it was all worth it, as the owners love this room.
A bespoke mirror, wooden vanity unit and elegant basins that coordinate with the bath complete the seamless look.
Bath, basins and brassware, Lusso. Wall lights, Industville.
Bath, basins and brassware, Lusso. Wall lights, Industville.
Decisions for the guest bedroom were made based on a bed the owners had brought with them from their previous house. “My main thing was to try to soften it, because it’s a very dark and imposing bed,” Harriet says.
“So we went for a patterned rug on the floor and some midcentury-style wooden bedside tables to warm it up,” she says. “The ceiling in this room is slightly vaulted, so the shape of the bed works really well.”
Bedside tables, West Elm. Walls painted in School House White, Farrow & Ball.
“So we went for a patterned rug on the floor and some midcentury-style wooden bedside tables to warm it up,” she says. “The ceiling in this room is slightly vaulted, so the shape of the bed works really well.”
Bedside tables, West Elm. Walls painted in School House White, Farrow & Ball.
“The kids’ room is pulled together around a bed we found on Etsy, and we added a wicker pendant that’s similar in tone,” Harriet says.
The top floor bedroom features a blend of soft, neutral furnishings that allow details, such as the brass lamp, to stand out.
Bedside lamp, Graham & Green. Bedside table, West Elm.
Bedside lamp, Graham & Green. Bedside table, West Elm.
As the team worked room by room, the project took two years to complete but, for Harriet, this forms a major part of its success. “It gave the clients time to really consider what they wanted and what best suited their lifestyle. They now have a home I like to think they’re really proud of,” she says.
And if she had to pick a favourite room? “The living room,” she says without hesitation. “It has such a lovely mix of period features with a modern feel – I think it’s to die for.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about Harriet’s revamp of this period home? Let us know in the Comments.
And if she had to pick a favourite room? “The living room,” she says without hesitation. “It has such a lovely mix of period features with a modern feel – I think it’s to die for.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about Harriet’s revamp of this period home? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with their two small children
Location Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Property A double-fronted, four-storey Regency townhouse
Size Five bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Harriet Sinclair-Wilson of Fable Interiors
The living room was first on the agenda – a stunning space that exudes traditional grandeur, with a tall bay window complete with original shutters overlooking the front garden.
The owners were looking forward to hosting friends and family in their new home and were keen for it to feel welcoming, so Harriet worked up an elegant but casual feel.
“They wanted a nod to the fact that it’s a very beautiful Regency house, but also for it to feel inviting, not imposing; a home you can actually use and hang out in,” she says.
Sofa, Arlo & Jacob. Ottoman, Neptune. Chandelier, West Elm.
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