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. 

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

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

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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

TEST 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

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...