We appreciate nothing more than client referrals, which form the crux of our work. This project was therefore particularly exciting as the building was (and still is) the other half of a pair of grand semi-detached Georgian town houses, both of which we have redeveloped for our respective clients.
A fascinating case study in architecture and interior design, we were given the same remit to re-configure and re-design the lower and upper ground floors to better suit family life. However, while both buildings shared the same footprint, the homeowners had very different tastes and requirements
The result is two beautiful homes that couldn’t look or feel more different to one another.
Take a journey through St James's Drive II below, a charming period home where the interiors subtly embrace all the creature comforts of a modern home yet have been designed to be in keeping with the early Victorian era of the building.
Conservation area
Two storey rear extension
New staircase
Refurbishment of two floors
Before - 328 sq m
After - 374 sq m
7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architecture
Interior Design
Project management
'We did not want to lose the original features of the house, or destroy the period feel. All the new additions have been done so sensitively and you can't now tell old from new.'
On taking on the re-development and extension of this home, the key issue that we needed to address was the lower ground floor which suffered from damp and despite its lower ground floor vantage, there was no significant connection to the large south facing garden.
Furthermore, previously a separate flat, the access to this level of the house was via a narrow staircase that terminated in a dark somewhat uninviting hallway.
To resolve these inherent issues, we designed a full width lower ground floor extension to create a large open plan playroom and living space. A series of period style timber glazed doors were introduced which ran the width of the building allowing an abundance of natural daylight light into the space as well as offering direct views and access onto the large garden.
Reconfiguring the staircase on this project had a significant impact on the whole scheme.
We intentionally kept site lines open from the front to the back of the building offering views onto both gardens. Light floods through the high-ceilinged rooms which enhances the beautiful period features within the home.
The upper ground floor is still the heart of the home, as it traditionally would have been - with the elegant formal living room spanning the front of the building.
The previously small kitchen has now been extended out over the extension below, flooded with light from a roof light and leading out to a new roof terrace to the side, with cast iron staircase to the garden.
Perfect for outdoor breakfasts or evening drinks over looking the large garden.
The dining room with period fireplace at the centre of the room also benefits from another new roof terrace and herb garden to the other side.
By moving the staircase between the two ground floors into the centre of the building we were able to arrive in the basement level within the large open plan entertaining space.
This significantly enhanced the sense of arrival on this floor, and created audible connectivity from kitchen above to living areas below.
A guest suite and study are now also present on this lower level, with their entrances concealed within walls of library shelving and striking teal painted panelling.
All joinery throughout the house has been designed using traditional styles and materials.
This is a home that now feels comfortable and relaxed while still retaining the effortless grandeur and elegance of a period Victorian property.
A soulful home that oozes character and charm, and we couldn’t be more proud of the outcome.
The chic guest suite offers an adjoining bedroom and living area to long-stay guests from the client's home country down-under.
If you are interested to see how we re-configured the neighbouring home, St James' Drive I, in a very different style and layout click here.
'The Vawdrey House gave us the perfect backdrop for our collections of objets and artwork, designing in the display areas from the start.'
