Case Study: From dark gloomy old unwelcoming house, to chic inviting modern Georgian period home
Project duration: Approximately 8 months
Interior Design project location: Central Brighton seafront Georgian townhouse
Project overview: Period property interior design project
This project was all about creating a wam inviting space for a couple newly relocated from London, into one of Brighton’s iconic seafront Georgian townhouses.
This house was a period Georgian Grade II listed property which unfortunately previously went through a thorough renovation, whereby much of the historical character was removed. It had dreary dark wood floors, gloomy heavy curtains and large imposing furniture pieces throughout. The house generally felt cold and uninviting.
My clients wanted to restore the period Regency charm and contrast it with contemporary style and modern functionality. They wanted their new home to be a light, bright and airy place to relax in and entertain friends and family.
We began the project by removing all the dark walls and ceilings, adding variations of Little Greene Paint ‘Slaked lime’ throughout. This warm neutral bought lightness to the rooms, accentuating the high ceilings, traditional woodwork, historical cornicing and original fireplaces. Preferring sustainable options where available, we sanded the existing dark wood floors before staining them a light oak hue.
We changed the cumbersome furniture to light oak, swapped heavy velvets for raw linens and made the chilly 200 year old house into a warm inviting contemporary home. We also reinstated traditional ceiling roses and added statement chandelier lighting in all living areas, for a touch of period elegance.
My clients love their new home which has been transformed into a comfortable stylish space that works well for daily life, giving them plenty of opportunity to enjoy the coastal lifestyle. My clients say their home is now popular with visiting friends and family and they regularly accommodate overnight guests, entertain friends and host large dinner parties.
See pics for the final results.
‘Melanie helped us design and furnish our Georgian townhouse… She really listens to what you want and then turns it into something much better…’
Ready to transform your space into something beautiful? Let’s get your design journey underway! Email me here and I’ll come right back to you to discuss your project.
