A Georgian Restoration, from Concept to Creation
Last year we completed a comprehensive refurbishment of a listed Georgian country house, nestled in the hills of rural Berkshire. The brief from the client was to retain the original features of the building, the elegant tall ceilings and period panelled walls, whilst creating a practical space for contemporary family living.
Following our tailored design process we created detailed concepts for each space, allowing us to collaborate with the client and to visualise and illustrate the design, textures and colour palettes of our scheme.
High ceilings command bold paint colours and pattern, so we created an elegant backdrop using colours such as Farrow and Ball Mizzle and Little Green Paint Drizzle. We used playful wallpaper by Juliette Travers and dramatic lighting from Vaughan and Pooky. We selected timeless fabrics from some of our favourite suppliers such as Soane Britain, Guy Goodfellow and Lewis & Wood. The large scale patterns and striking colour palettes work so well in a setting where the rooms are large and the ceilings are high. We used sumptuous velvets to add sophisticated, luxurious style, to compliment the antique English furniture.
We added layers of texture and detail to the scheme to give depth – we chose patterned and textured sisal rugs, and found one off pieces such as pretty printed lampshades from Ashoka Designs and Fermoie, coloured glass from Nina Campbell and Birdie Fortescue, to complement the client’s bone china collection. Where possible we used the client’s own furniture, this helps to capture the client’s personality, and give a sense of history and heritage, rather than buying everything new. It’s also satisfying to up-cycle and use pieces which are part of the family’s own story.
We had pieces of furniture restored and reupholstered. It is lovely to work with an important old building, breathing new life into it. For the client working closely with them we were able to create a truly bespoke home which feels like their own taste and style, whilst helping them to step slightly out of their own comfort zone, and choose fabrics, furniture and pieces which are beyond what they would have found or chosen themselves.
To see the final project please visit our image gallery, photographed by acclaimed interiors photographer, David Parmiter. For more information about the studio or to have an informal discussion with Lucy please email lucy@lucymarshinteriors.com or call the studio on +44 (0) 207 971 1245.
