Warwickshire Period House
When our long-term client relocated to their new home in Warwickshire, they originally wanted a light touch on the space to make the house their own. Sadly, unexpected major water damage turned what was supposed to be a simple decoration into a full-scale renovation that involved a complete replumbing and rewiring of the expansive Georgian property and extended the original project timeline.
Our clients’ new home, with its stunning proportions, was bigger than their previous property, but with their grown-up children having flown the nest, they didn't want to feel as though they were rattling around. When we approached the design, the brief centred on creating a space that works beautifully for two people day-to-day, yet expands seamlessly to host their large extended family.
Functionality and practicality were at the heart of every decision we made for this scheme. With plenty of young nieces and nephews visiting, the clients wanted finishes that were durable and unfussy, ensuring the home felt inviting rather than overly ornate. As with many homes, the kitchen is the real heart of this property. Key priorities included a generous kitchen, a well-equipped pantry, and a dedicated baking area to ensure maximum cooking facilities for when the whole family gathers.
Our client was certain about a number of design aspects from the start, one of which was the Plain English kitchen. We spent a lot of time reconfiguring the layout to ensure we designed the most efficient and practical space. In the original layout, there was only space for a three-oven AGA, which didn’t feel big enough for the size of the house. We created a separate baking kitchen which hosts another two-oven AGA and serves as an overflow cooking area, as well as a pantry with open shelving to house much-needed appliances, China, and additional food storage. A large integrated Fisher & Paykel fridge-freezer was also installed to provide generous, efficient food storage for hosting and tea and coffee station hidden near the sink.
To keep the space feeling open and airy, we opted for a freestanding worktable instead of a standard island and carried the same Burnt Toast paint colour through to the dining table and chairs for a cohesive look. The cabinets were painted in Mouldy Plum, with the client’s love of soft pinks becoming a recurring thread throughout the project. Inspiration also came from their beautiful garden and wanting to bring this prettiness indoors.
As the drawing room flowed directly from the kitchen, the client didn’t want it to have an overly stuffy feel. The design for this space all started with their own much-loved rug, and again we incorporated their own furniture pieces into the scheme as well as a full-size Steiner & Sons grand piano. We restored the panelling which had been previously inset with mirrors and painted the space in Old White by Farrow & Ball to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. While their former home featured lighter tones, the generous Georgian proportions of this space allowed us to introduce a deeper, more enveloping shade to the space. To balance the richness, we added lighter curtains in Marble Head Embroidery by Ralph Lauren, which gently lift and soften the space.
The dining room features original Georgian panelling, and we incorporated the family’s antique drink cabinet from their previous home. We wanted to be sustainable in our approach to design in this property, thoughtfully integrating nearly all of the clients’ existing furniture into the new space, in the dining room in particular, nothing new was purchased and we reworked pieces from their old home to fit the new space. We tried to maximise value where we could by breathing new life into much-loved fabrics from their previous home. We transformed curtains into blinds and bedspreads to not only reduce waste but honour their original investment in quality materials.
Our clients’ entrance hall retained many original architectural details, including the ceiling rose, panelling, and fanlight above the door. To complement these features, we introduced Annandale wallpaper by Sanderson, an antique rug from The Rug Company, and a Richard Taylor console, enhancing the space’s timeless elegance. To continue the design narrative in the first-floor landing, the wallpaper extends upwards from the entrance hall. We chose a globe pendant by Eichholtz to add soft illumination, while another vintage rug from The Rug Company and an antique table complete the look.
To create a really livable space for our client, we created a full master suite, which included a first-floor sitting room where they could spend evenings by the fire. The clients’ existing sofas, side tables, and coffee table were reused, as well as chairs refreshed with a long-admired Christopher Farr Cloth fabric that hadn’t been used in their previous home. A bespoke joinery piece by Arcadia Antiques lifts the space and draws the eye upward, balancing the low seating arrangement.
Much of the furniture from the clients’ previous home was used in the master bedroom, including Chelsea Textiles chests and a bespoke upholstered headboard. Vaughan lamps paired with Penny Morrison shades and a Richard Taylor chandelier add layered lighting. Window treatments were reimagined from the clients’ former curtains; leftover fabric was used to craft a matching bedspread, tying the scheme together beautifully.
In a downstairs cloakroom, affectionately called “The Garden Loo”, we took inspiration from the home’s surrounding landscape. We uncovered the original flooring and used its tones as the foundation for the palette. We chose Soane’s Scrolling Fern wallpaper which wraps the space in a botanical pattern, complemented by new panelling painted in Neptune Ink. Practical touches, such as a step stool for visiting children, ensure the space remains functional as well as beautiful.
It was a joy to work with this client again after having worked together on their previous home, as we already shared a strong sense of trust and understanding. The design process was smooth and collaborative, allowing me to gently encourage the clients toward bolder choices of fabrics and colours. The finished home is a reflection of their warmth, their love of family, and their appreciation for thoughtful, enduring design.
