Georgian Terraced House

Photography by Damian Comans from Creative Cattle

Published in The Evening Standard, Homes and Property,
Wednesday 7th June 2006

Brief

A Listed Georgian Terraced House in Kensington, to retain all period details and character, to re-introduce colours and surfaces from the English Georgian vernacular together with decorative elements from the Swedish Gustavian tradition, to create atmosphere and charm.

The Client

A French artist and her cello playing businessman husband, wanted to create a tranquil oasis, with historic character, in their home which incorporates her studio, just a step away from the bustle of Kensington High Street. The home is also used as an environment in which the client can hang and show her artwork.

The Clients have a discerning eye and exacting standards. They also have the enthusiasm and understanding required for a project of this nature. They have travelled extensively and have closely looked at and been inspired by the Swedish Gustavian Tradition. The subtleties of colour and shade were a source of pleasure for them to share with us during the development of the project as was the influence and play of light in the north facing back rooms and south facing front rooms. These nuances were readily understood and enjoyed by a practising artist and her creative husband.

The House

The fabric of the building was largely original, including floors, windows, and panelling, but the property had been ‘modernised’ in the 1970’s. This included stripping the historic paint from all the original woodwork to leave a waxed and stripped pine finish and the old floorboards had been dark stained and varnished.

The Project

We, at Rivière, designed, planned, arranged and oversaw the complete re-decoration of the building, including the washing back and re-finishing of the original wooden floors, detailed patinated paint finishes in all rooms, including small areas of ‘Trompe L’oeil’, ‘farmer’s marbling’ and spot motif ‘fresco’ decoration.

We commissioned and approved the new lighting plan incorporating discrete halogen spots. We sourced appropriate vintage, antique and contemporary fabrics for soft furnishings, curtains and floor coverings. We designed the curtains and commissioned curtain makers, selected upholsterers and cabinet makers and sourced antique furniture and objects.

The sourcing of appropriate furniture and furnishings is still ongoing. Pieces of integrity, with original surface and the correct scale are hard to find and these clients have the patience and desire to get it right.