THE PROPERTY
A Georgian terraced house London located in a conservation area. On the lower-ground floor of this modern home is a kitchen-diner, play room, bathroom and utility room. The ground floor comprises a living room and study.The master bedroom suite and dressing room are on the first floor and the children’s bedroom and a family bathroom are on the second floor.
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LIVING ROOM
For any lover of Georgian architecture, this period gem in a quiet south London conservation area, with mature garden, high ceilings, big windows, large rooms and plenty of original features, sets pulses racing.
The lovely arched frame on the wall (pictured top)was crying out for a mirror, so it was fitted with antiqued mirror cut into squares. The drinks cabinet was made bespoke using the same chestnut as the dining table top, but with a high-gloss finish. The doors are concealed and inside it’s painted bright colours – all quite fun.
The property needed quite a lot of TLC, but after much restoration the house now wears its history with panache.
Think Rio carnival staged in Jane Austen’s house... You’re close. A flamingo print perches on an original Georgian fireplace and cushion covers in zingy Brazilian fabric brighten up the elegant living room. Elsewhere are plates adorned with macaws, lush plants, gold pineapple side tables and design classic chairs boasting their original, vivid upholstery.
Before the zingy fabrics and vintage one-offs could rev up the rooms, though, the house had to be refurbished.
The starting point was to enhance the Georgian shell – the cornicing, fireplaces and shutters. Then came the fun bit – mixing in some Seventies retro style and mid-century design.
A lot of original features were reinstated, especially on the upper two floors, but as the house is listed there could be no radical structural changes.
STUDY
This space at the front of the house is painted a deep blue. This room really suits a dark colour.
KITCHEN
The original kitchen was kept the same, but cabinets were given a new lick of paint.
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DINING AREA
This extension had already been added to the house, but new steel-framed windows and glazing was installed for a more modern edge.
The dining table was made bespoke using chestnut wood, mounted on a steel frame sprayed a vibrant green.
The floating copper unit in the dining area was also made bespoke and really warms up the space.
Guests can grab a drink here before relaxing on the sofa or spilling into the garden.
See Also: Bright ideas - exploring colour in the dining room
MASTER BEDROOM
The first floor was converted to become a master suite, with a bedroom at the back. The room uses a warm, darker palette, but with pops of bright colour.
DRESSING ROOM
The wardrobes were made bespoke.The top cupboards appear to float above a high-gloss oak mid-rail.
FAMILY BATHROOM
The bathroom is functional, but packs a punch too.
For more info about the architect's design work, visit nickleithsmith.com
Photography ⁄ Sarah Hogan
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