Restoring a Georgian family home in London required a delicate balance between historical integrity and modern living needs. The owners of a listed townhouse chose to preserve the building’s character rather than modernise it with contemporary materials. Guided by specialist architect Robert Rhodes, the team removed unsympathetic additions and repaired structural damage. The goal was to create a functional space that felt as though it had always existed, using traditional techniques and materials like oak and marble.
The renovation process began with essential repairs. Workers addressed areas of damp and stripped back layers of vinyl paint to reveal the original plasterwork. The exterior received a breathable paint treatment, and decorative elements like a balcony and railings were restored. Dormer windows were realigned to ensure the home harmonised with neighbouring properties. Inside, skilled craftspeople protected and restored original joinery, fireplaces, and cornices with extraordinary precision. Essential modern services, such as plumbing and AV systems, were hidden behind new joinery to avoid cutting into the historic fabric of the building.
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Historic alterations had disrupted the original rhythm of the home, so the owners prioritised returning rooms to their original shapes. A family bathroom on the first floor, which felt out of place, was moved upstairs to join the bedrooms. This freed up the ground floor for a generous living space. The area now serves as the heart of the home, adjoining a study shared by both parents. Removing tiles and fittings allowed the original floor level to be reinstated, creating more cohesion across this level. The top floor became the domain of the children, featuring a top-lit bathroom finished in modern terrazzo.
The master suite on the top floor offers a space that would have baffled the home’s original Georgian inhabitants. A Crittal-style shower enclosure and Carrara marble finishes were installed without damaging the structure. Before installation, the marble was laid in a digital mock-up to ensure the veining appeared natural and continuous. The same marble material was chosen for existing fireplace surrounds, threading together old and new elements throughout the home. This approach extended to the kitchen, where the removal of a stainless-steel unit revealed a historic fireplace. The new kitchen was designed around this feature with painted, panelled units that matched the rest of the house.
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Research into Georgian carpentry ensured that new additions replicated the design, material, and proportion of the original. This detailing is the home’s only ornamentation, and it required craftsmen to use traditional woodworking skills. Only on the basement floor does the modern world take precedence. A small extension houses a study, playroom, and guest bedroom suite. A custom-fabricated steel door opens onto the garden, creating a cosy TV den. The garden, designed by GRDN, focuses on creating an evergreen oasis. Trees screen neighbouring homes to provide privacy, while the remaining layers are low-maintenance.
Inside, the colour palette was developed by Robert London Design to reflect the owners’ preferences while respecting the heritage of the architecture. Gentle, neutral tones allow natural light to flood through tall Georgian windows. The owners wanted to reuse existing furniture and artwork, so the scheme incorporates these items. While the style is largely contemporary, the restraint in design creates a natural cooperation between the Georgian architecture and modern interiors. This approach demonstrates how quality and careful planning can rescue and enhance an important part of architectural heritage. For a family, the result is a home that supports the chaos of daily life without sacrificing the quiet dignity of its past.
