In the world of historic home renovations, there's an art to bringing old spaces into the modern era while preserving their unique character. This is exactly what happened with a grand early 19th-century house in Hampshire, England. The challenge was to transform it into a functional family home without losing its historical charm.
A New Lease of Life for an Old House
The house, with its eight bedrooms and commanding views, was a gem waiting to be polished. But it had its quirks: a long, narrow kitchen lacking natural light, and a disjointed layout that didn't cater to the needs of a busy family with three young children.
Architect Hugh Petter, design director at ADAM Architecture, was brought in to lead the transformation. He had a unique advantage, having known the previous owners and being familiar with the house's potential.
One of the key changes was relocating the front entrance. The original entrance felt like a side door, so Petter designed a classic stone porch on the north side, creating a grander, more welcoming arrival point. This also solved the issue of car parking, as the area receives less sunlight.
The new entrance improved the flow of the house, with people now entering beneath the original cantilevered staircase and having easy access to both the upper and lower ground floors. This connection between the floors was crucial for a family with young children.
Redefining Living Spaces
A significant change was moving the kitchen to a brighter, more central location, creating an open-plan kitchen-diner and family room. This transformed the two best rooms on the ground floor into everyday living spaces, making the most of their south-facing aspect.
While the architectural changes were subtle, the interior design was anything but. Interior designer Charlotte Smiley worked closely with the family, who had a fun and confident approach to design. Their mantra, "it is a crime to be boring," gave Smiley the freedom to experiment with bold colors and patterns.
Each room was carefully curated, with wallpaper and fabric often setting the tone. The kitchen, for instance, features a floral fabric from Soane, with walls in blush pink and cabinetry in shades of green and aubergine. The dining chairs are covered in a custom fabric, adding further pattern and color.
Creating a Modern, Yet Historic, Feel
The formal drawing room, newly created from the former entrance hall and study, showcases a botanical wallpaper that echoes the garden views. The bold hues used throughout the house are in keeping with the historical architecture, as early 19th-century homes often featured strong colors.
The library, formerly the kitchen, is a sophisticated space painted in high-gloss blue, with wallpaper made from pages of a coffee-table book by John Derian. The playroom, designed for the three young children, features khaki walls offset by orange joinery and decorative blinds, creating a fun yet not overly childish space.
Integrating Modern Amenities
On the lower ground floor, the old games room was transformed into a plush cinema room with tiered seating. Richly patterned wallpaper and matching fabric create an immersive atmosphere, while colorful table lights add a playful touch.
The children's bedrooms were designed with longevity in mind. The youngest daughter's room features a custom-made cabin bed in a vivid green, a color that is not typically associated with four-year-olds but is hoped to grow with her.
Tips for Decorating Historic Homes
Interior designer Charlotte Smiley and architect Hugh Petter offer some advice for adding color and pattern to period buildings:
- Embrace bold colors, as they are very historical and can turn a house into a warm and inviting home.
- Research historic colors and visit similar period houses to get a sense of the context.
- Use wallpaper or fabric as a starting point for a room's color palette, and don't be afraid to mix patterns as long as there's a unifying color.
- Consider the scale of patterns, especially in larger rooms, to ensure they have impact.
- Always test paint colors and wallpaper samples before committing, to see how they look in different lights and avoid costly mistakes.
This renovation project is a beautiful example of how modern life can be seamlessly integrated into a historic home, creating a unique and vibrant living space.
