RESTORE & RENEW
This Georgian townhouse near Bath has been expertly renovated to create a relaxed home that’s ideal for modern living
Rebecca and Harry Whittaker rolled up their sleeves to renovate this Georgian townhouse
SITTING ROOM
The walls are soft grey, which contrasts with the dark floorboards to create a calm space for the couple to relax in – M&L’S Clocktower emulsion is a good match. Shutters are in keeping with the house’s original design and mean there’s no need for curtains or blinds. The couple installed wall panelling and have made a feature of it by using the recesses to create individual ‘frames’ for various treasures, including architectural mouldings. The furniture is antique and the sofa was bought from ebay.
KITCHEN
Rebecca and Harry opted for a palette close to black and white in the open-plan kitchen, where the main material used is marble. They scoured far and wide for scraps of the stone, which they used to create the flooring, piecing individual slabs together like a jigsaw puzzle. ‘We found a batch of Carrara marble in London, but none of it quite matched,’ says Harry. ‘Then we found the sink on ebay; it’s made from a single block.’ The custom-made units are painted in a dark blue-grey (Dock Blue by Little Greene is similar), which stands out effectively against the neutral backdrop. Open shelving allows utensils to be kept close at hand, while providing an extra surface for the pair to display their collection of antiques.
‘WE FOUND THE SINK ON EBAY; IT’S MADE FROM A SINGLE BLOCK OF MARBLE’
DINING SPACE
The dining area opens out to the courtyard, and the couple have taken advantage of its light-flooded position by installing a long skylight and statement Crittal windows; the dark frames of which echo the kitchen’s monochrome palette. Harry made the trestle dining table from an old ping-pong table, and they have embraced the unique character of the wooden top by not covering it with a cloth. The chairs are by Eames and can be bought at Heal’s.
MASTER BEDROOM
The top floor of the house originally had two attic rooms, but the couple renovated them to create a master suite with an adjoining bathroom. Spacious and inviting, the room is decorated in whites and off-whites. ‘As an architect, I’ve always loved white interiors,’ says Harry. The chaise longue lends a relaxed feel to the room, which is also echoed in the natural textures. The bed canopy makes a feature of the high ceiling. In one corner, a recess is used as a closet for an accessible yet attractive way to display everyday clothes.