How A Designer Reimagined This Georgian Townhouse

One of the most transformative interventions was relocating the kitchen from the front of the house to the rear. The move established a much stronger connection to the garden while flooding the room with natural light. Functionality was central to the brief, as the clients are passionate cooks and bakers who needed a kitchen capable of supporting everyday family life as well as entertaining.

We collaborated with local makers Hobson's Choice to create a space that feels beautifully detailed yet highly practical. Ample storage, generous preparation areas and carefully considered finishes ensure the room works hard without sacrificing its aesthetic appeal.

Island Pendant Light: The Heirloom Gaselier Light, DeVol
Wall Light: Mini Creamware Wall Light, DeVol 
Walls, Ceiling & Woodwork: Shaded White, Farrow & Ball 
Joinery: Pointing, Farrow & Ball

Located directly off the dining room, the scullery functions as a secondary kitchen and practical overflow space for entertaining. Set within the original vaults beneath the house, it's naturally darker than the rooms above. Rather than trying to brighten it artificially, SSD embraced its atmospheric qualities. Rich paintwork creates a cocooning backdrop, while a skirted sink unit introduces softness and conceals valuable storage. Open shelving allows the clients' collection of ceramics and serving pieces to take centre stage, lending the room a personal, collected feel.

Walls, Ceiling, Joinery & Woodwork: Mouse's Back, Farrow & Ball
Sink Skirt Fabric: Woodperry Col. Lilac, Veere Grenney 

Previously the kitchen, the dining room now serves as a relaxed and welcoming gathering space. Like the neighbouring scullery, it occupies part of the lower-ground floor, where lower light levels encouraged us to lean into a richer, more enveloping palette. Existing French doors were transformed into a window with a built-in seat beneath, softening the room and creating an inviting spot to linger. The clients were keen to avoid a formal dining room reserved solely for entertaining, so comfortable seating was prioritised to encourage everyday use and long, leisurely meals.

Wall Lights: Piaf Double Wall Sconce in Swedish Grey, Visual Comfort 
Joinery Paint: Barrow Blue, Farrow & Ball

The drawing room offers one of the home's most unexpected moments. Despite its central-city location, the room enjoys uninterrupted views across open countryside, creating a sense of escape that's rare in Bath itself. Original Georgian features provide a beautiful backdrop, with high ceilings and decorative mouldings painted in a single colour to give them a more modern sensibility. SSD incorporated much of the clients' existing furniture, layering the room with warm autumnal tones and rich textures. Schumacher's Hollyhock fabric appears throughout, on cushions and footstools, helping to tie the palette together while adding depth and softness.

Mirrors: Berrington Mirror in Bronze, Vaughan 
Pendant Light: Piaf Grande Chandelier, Visual Comfort 
Lampshades: Bedwyn Gathered Lampshades in Nut Brown Wicker, Fermoie 
Walls, Joinery & Woodwork: Tawny, Edward Bulmer 

Working within the constraints of a listed building meant every inch of the primary en-suite needed to be carefully considered. With no opportunity to extend the footprint, SSD focused on maximising both functionality and atmosphere within the existing space. A beautifully proportioned slipper bath serves as a focal point, while Veere Grenney's Folly fabric becomes the starting point for the decorative scheme. Used across both the wallpaper and window treatments, its earthy lilac tones informed the wider palette, resulting in a room that feels layered, elegant and quietly cohesive.

Table Lamp: Acerra Ceramic Vase Table Lamp, Vaughan 
Lampshades: Bedwyn Gathered Lampshades in Ecru Figured, Fermoie 
Ceiling, Wardrobes & Woodwork: Shaded White, Farrow & Ball

Located on the same floor as the primary suite, the guest bedroom was designed to feel equally welcoming and refined. Soft yellow tones were introduced to connect with the more playful upper floors while maintaining a sophisticated atmosphere appropriate for visiting friends and family. The result is a versatile space that feels warm, comfortable and effortlessly elegant, striking a balance between classic design and relaxed practicality.

Fireplace Wall Lights: Elbow Wall Fitting in Antiqued Bronze, Pooky 
Bedside Tables: Gustavian Bedside Table, Chelsea Textiles 
Bed-End Bench: Gustavian Bench, Chelsea Textiles 

The upper floor is where the design takes on a more playful character. Here, colour and pattern are used more freely, creating spaces that feel joyful yet sophisticated enough to grow with the children. In the son's room, a Chelsea Textiles wallpaper introduces a lively combination of greens, blues and yellows, creating energy without overwhelming the space. The scheme has an underlying philosophy: rooms that feel fun now while remaining adaptable for years to come.

Lampshades: Petite Scallop Lampshade, Maison Maison
Bedside Table: Large Gustavian Sofa Side Table, OKA
Desk: Bobbin Desk in 52 Mist, Chelsea Textiles 

Finishing with this room at the top of the house, we wanted the bathroom to feel playful and fun – perfect for the kids and their guests. A joyful surprise! 

Mirror: Flora Mirror, Balineum
Wall lights, Pooky
Vanity painted in: India Yellow, Farrow & Ball
Wallpaper: Scrolling Fern in Ochre, Soane 

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Photographer credit: Chris Wakefield