A stunning Georgian townhouse, next to a royal palace, combines modern flair with sublime elegance.

It is hard to beat the elegance of a large Georgian house. We love them because they tap into something deep within us; a naturally occurring harmony and sense of proportion – found in everything from the structure of clouds to the workings of our bodies – analysed into the mathematical formula called the ‘golden ratio’ (a rectangle of 1:1:61) and interpreted via architecture. 

The basement kitchen is light and spacious with high ceilings and white walls. A traditional hanging rack is suspended over the island

The basement kitchen is light and spacious with high ceilings and white walls. A traditional hanging rack is suspended over the island

In the family breakfast room, Eames style dining chairs are offset by a chunky oak table, all of which sit below a stripped back central ceiling beam and beside an inglenook fireplace surround.

In the family breakfast room, Eames style dining chairs are offset by a chunky oak table, all of which sit below a stripped back central ceiling beam and beside an inglenook fireplace surround. Above the table is a vintage Academy style industrial pendant light

It is hard to beat the elegance of a large Georgian house

The hall floor is tiled black and white in a recurring theme of contrasting light and dark

In the drawing room, barred mirrors reflect the Georgian bars of the actual windows. The sofa.com sofa matches the lower wall to create a simple but controlled effect

In the drawing room, barred mirrors reflect the Georgian bars of the actual windows. The sofa.com sofa matches the lower wall to create a simple but controlled effect

The top floor’s main bedroom is fun and colourful with a portrait of the Queen, a yellow sofa and huge red Anglepoise lamp

The top floor’s main bedroom is fun and colourful with a portrait of the Queen, a yellow sofa and huge red Anglepoise lamp

The black and white theme is offset by occasional splashes of red as in the enlarged cover of Life magazine

The black and white theme is offset by occasional splashes of red as in the enlarged cover of Life magazine

The ground floor is full of tasteful features including panelling, pillars and cornicing. The chandelier is from a vintage shop in Notting Hill, originally from a ballroom in Jersey. The cocktail chairs and footrest are from Graham & Green

The ground floor is full of tasteful features including panelling, pillars and cornicing. The chandelier is from a vintage shop in Notting Hill, originally from a ballroom in Jersey. The cocktail chairs and footrest are from Graham & Green

It is hard to beat the elegance of a large Georgian house

It is hard to beat the elegance of a large Georgian house

The drawing room has an almost nautical feel with striped navy and white blinds from Ralph Lauren

The drawing room has an almost nautical feel with striped navy and white blinds from Ralph Lauren

The adjoining bathroom continues a light and fun attitude with a green bathtub

The adjoining bathroom continues a light and fun attitude with a green bathtub

A pale pink Graham & Green bedspread in the top floor’s main bedroom

A pale pink Graham & Green bedspread in the top floor’s main bedroom

One of the rooms off the master bedroom. The dressing table is from made.com

One of the rooms off the master bedroom. The dressing table is from made.com

The scheme is relaxing, calm and comfortable, soft in both in colour and feel

The scheme is relaxing, calm and comfortable, soft in both in colour and feel

The first floor is largely taken up by the master suite. Each room has its own big and beautiful fireplace, often decorated with vintage mirrors, suitably cracked and worn in patches. The Isaac daybed is from sofa.com

The first floor is largely taken up by the master suite. Each room has its own big and beautiful fireplace, often decorated with vintage mirrors, suitably cracked and worn in patches. The Isaac daybed is from sofa.com

In the dining room Philippe Starck Ghost chairs set off the black walls. The clock on the mantelpiece is an antique station clock from a London market. The chandelier is from a vintage shop in Notting Hill

In the dining room Philippe Starck Ghost chairs set off the black walls. The clock on the mantelpiece is an antique station clock from a London market. The chandelier is from a vintage shop in Notting Hill

A pale pink Graham & Green bedspread in the main bedroom is offset by yellows and reds

A pale pink Graham & Green bedspread in the main bedroom is offset by yellows and reds

The top floor rooms would have been the servants’ quarters and so here we are back to simple lines, lower ceilings and fewer architectural features

The top floor rooms would have been the servants’ quarters and so here we are back to simple lines, lower ceilings and fewer architectural features

Open your mind

A fascinating home in the heart of Lydd has been lovingly preserved as a celebration of the creative and vibrant couple who painstakingly renovated it over the course of two decades It seems rather appropriate, on entering The Captain’s House,...

Out of the ordinary

Boutique owner Tara McCarraher’s conversion of a dilapidated cartwheel workshop in the grounds of her property has resulted in a romantic and cosy holiday retreat that, due to its peaceful surroundings, many guests choose not to leave for the duration...

Glow Up

A strong and trusting architect-client relationship has resulted in a brilliant expansion of a house in Surrey that was crying out for a change Michelle is very laid back telling me about the renovation of her Surrey home, particularly when...