The terraced townhouses that march the streets of London and other cities across England boast elegant proportions, high ceilings and large windows, and often retain desirable original features, such as marble fireplaces and architectural mouldings. Many are set within conservation areas or are listed by Historic England, celebrating their architectural and historic interest. Modern life, however, does not always fit automatically within homes that are hundreds of years old. The typical challenges presented by a townhouse include small, narrow or dark rooms, a jumbled layout, very limited storage and a lack of space for socialising or entertaining. The following examples demonstrate how thoughtful – and often bold – design can transform imperfect spaces, while still respecting their period character, ultimately creating functional and beautiful homes for the future.
CLASSIC DETAILS
Holly Beazley, Elicyon
Apartment in The OWO Residences by Raffles, Whitehall, London
“This three-bedroom apartment is within a Grade II* listed Edwardian building), we fitted a black marble fireplace, which references the beautiful black-and-white mosaic floors in the building’s corridors. We also added small plaster casts either side depicting architectural details. The window dressings are floor-to-ceiling and are quite tailored, which is all about creating a contrast between old and new. In the master bedroom, it was important to play into the height of the ceiling, so we used a four-poster bed to help fill the volume of the space, with other furnishings creating a lower level for a more homely feel. We emulated the symmetry of the architecture with the furniture layouts and, overall, we complemented carefully sourced antique furnishings with classical art and modern ceramics, creating a contemporary take on a classic English home.”
