Houzz Tour: Traditional Home With a Modern Elegance
Contemporary materials and technology bring this historic London home into the 21st century without sacrificing its period charm
When the owners of this Georgian-era 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, so a lot of the character from the house had been lost or removed,” says designer Cherie Lee, who took on the project.
The couple wanted the interior of their home, which covers one-third of the Grade II-listed mansion’s total space, to be sympathetic to the era of the property, but with a contemporary twist. Local authorities were supportive of the work, given that the property had been vacant for some time. “We made few changes to the exterior, which might have been more difficult,” Lee says. 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 Grade II-listed mansion’s total space, to be sympathetic to the era of the property, but with a contemporary twist. Local authorities were supportive of the work, given that the property had been vacant for some time. “We made few changes to the exterior, which might have been more difficult,” Lee says. 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 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,” the designer says. 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,” the designer says. 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 been removed, but Lee found replacements. “The windows are original, but they’re the only things that are. We chose period cornices and ceiling moldings to reflect the age of the property,” she says.
Molding and cornice restoration: Stevensons of Norwich; wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball; piano: antique Blüthner
Molding and cornice restoration: Stevensons of Norwich; wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball; piano: antique Blüthner
The other end of the living space can be quickly 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,” Lee says. “We removed walls between the hall and living area, kitchen and dining room and replaced them with [glass] 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.
Wall paint: Brilliant White, Dulux
The flooring in the hall is white marble, which helps to bounce the light around.
Wall paint: Brilliant White, Dulux
As well as commissioning custom fireplaces, the interior design team installed antique pieces to give the property back a sense of age. This huge mirror propped up against a wall in the entrance hall wall is an antique. The turquoise pouf, meanwhile, injects a burst of color.
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,” the designer says. “The feel was to be glamorous but lived-in, with a bit of an industrial edge.”
LED strip lighting above the tall units and beneath the island adds a glow to the room, complemented by bronze pendant lights.
Cabinets: Roundhouse, painted in Off-White and Off-Black by Farrow & Ball; ovens: Gaggenau; bar stools: Rockett St. George; pendant lights: Contardi
LED strip lighting above the tall units and beneath the island adds a glow to the room, complemented by bronze pendant lights.
Cabinets: Roundhouse, painted in Off-White and Off-Black by Farrow & Ball; ovens: Gaggenau; bar stools: Rockett St. George; pendant lights: Contardi
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,” the designer says. “They also tied in with the black polished-plaster wall in the dining room.”
The sunken gas cooktop maintains the sleek, uninterrupted lines of the handle-free cabinetry.
Cooktop: Barazza
The sunken gas cooktop maintains the sleek, uninterrupted lines of the handle-free cabinetry.
Cooktop: Barazza
The dining room is linked to the kitchen via a glass screen, which allows light to flow throughout the space.
The inky black polished-plaster wall contrasts with the glass-and-steel partitions and the reinstated traditional wall molding. The result is grand yet thoroughly modern and packed with drama.
Glass chandelier: Baroncelli; chair: Timothy Oulton; art in dining area: Ashley Woodson Bailey
The inky black polished-plaster wall contrasts with the glass-and-steel partitions and the reinstated traditional wall molding. The result is grand yet thoroughly modern and packed with drama.
Glass chandelier: Baroncelli; chair: Timothy Oulton; art in dining area: 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 says. “The simple glass balustrades give a contemporary and bright feel to the previously dark staircase.”
Lighting: Buster + Punch; balustrades: Balustrade UK
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 veneer. Mirrored bedside tables up the luxe factor.
Bedside tables: LuxDeco; lamps: John Lewis; bedding: The White Co.
Bedside tables: LuxDeco; lamps: John Lewis; bedding: The White Co.
For an even more luxurious touch, the master bedroom has his-and-her bathrooms. The en suite for the female owner is a romantic, glamorous affair, complete with a free-standing copper bath and glorious views out to the garden.
Bathtub: William Holland; fabric for blind: Designers Guild; shelving unit: M&S; wall paint: Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball
Bathtub: William Holland; fabric for blind: Designers Guild; shelving unit: M&S; wall paint: Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball
The male owner’s en suite has 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,” the designer says. “The living wall foliage adds to the outdoor ambience.”
Honed slate: Topps Tiles; living wall plants: Cox & Cox
Honed slate: Topps Tiles; living wall plants: Cox & Cox
A game room adds space for entertaining, complete with free-standing bar.
“The artwork is actually mostly very affordable” Lee says. “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 humor to the more fun areas in the house.”
Bar: Buster + Punch
“The artwork is actually mostly very affordable” Lee says. “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 humor 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.
Accent wall paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball; four-poster bed: Lombok; chair: Bodie and Fou
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Accent wall paint: Railings, Farrow & Ball; four-poster bed: Lombok; chair: Bodie and Fou
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: A couple and their two pet pugs
Location: Essendon, Hertfordshire, England
Size: Five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Designer: 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,” Lee says.
“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.