georgian gem
Intricate period architecture provided interior inspiration for a Cheshire country house
The clean-lined grandeur of a Georgian house in Cheshire very much appealed to Nicky and Peter Barratt. ‘We both thought, “Now, that is something very special”,’ recalls Nicky. The property’s generous proportions and high-ceilinged rooms also had a practical appeal. ‘My husband and our son Harley, now 15, are both over six-foot, so the pitched rooms in our previous home always felt cramped to them.’
The framework of this house offered a more open, expansive feel for the whole family, which also includes Brontë, 19, and Madeleine, 17. So, once the place was theirs, the couple set about making it their own. As the building is Grade II listed, they had no intention of changing the layout, which meant Nicky, a stylist and florist, could focus on the decor. ‘People kept asking me about my plans,’ she says. ‘But, for once, I didn’t go in with firm ideas; it was more a matter of gradually taking in the architecture and letting the house suggest its own style.’
Nicky and Peter’s old house had more of a country, rustic character. ‘I was a big fan of Cath Kidston back then,’ says Nicky, ‘ but this place felt grander and more substantial, with rooms, fireplaces and architectural elements all played out on a larger scale.’ The main ceiling roses and cornices remained intact, a banister displays a graceful turn and an unusual set of pillars adorn a wall in the drawing room. ‘Even the front door is handsome and solid,’ says Nicky. ‘It announces that this is a house with
stature. When you’re surrounded by classic Georgian architecture, you don’t really want to obscure it.’
The hall decoration picks up on the crisp outlines of the property’s façade, with wallpaper that echoes the arched doorway and a stair runner in a similar geometric design. Grey tones are repeated through the rooms, making bold patterns feel restful rather than distracting. ‘I know grey is very on-trend at the moment, but I think it will endure in this setting, as it suits the sober, calm proportions,’ says Nicky.
This redesign also gave the couple the opportunity to seek out antique and vintage pieces to furnish the rooms. ‘We went to Newark Antiques & Collectors Fair, which was great fun,’ says Nicky. Many of the couple’s existing furniture did not suit the new space, though they found a new role for a tall armoire that had been used for bathroom storage. It now stands in the dining room, where its shape complements the generous windows, which extend almost from floor to ceiling. ‘I haven’t put up any blinds,’ says Nicky. ‘The windows speak for themselves and don’t need dressing.’
To prevent the interior style from becoming stuck in a traditional groove, Nicky introduced a statement sofa in a bright berry shade into the mix. ‘I’m not usually drawn to Deco shapes, but I felt the simple lines didn’t detract from the architecture,’ she says.
Nicky’s easy mix of old and new furniture brings just the right amount of character. ‘Our house looks imposing and formal from the outside, but inside it’s very much a warm family home,’ she smiles.