London Town House

ESTIMATED BUDGET £25,000

A Modern Country renovation with a Contemporary feel

My clients came to me with a beautiful London townhouse that, despite its generous proportions and potential, had remained unfinished for some time. As their family grew and work commitments became more demanding, they were living with unresolved spaces, empty rooms and a lack of cohesion they did not have the time or clarity to address alone. They knew the house needed soft furnishings, window treatments, improved space planning and a stronger decorative direction, but wanted professional guidance to bring it together. What began as a consultancy to resolve specific design questions soon developed into a collaborative process, creating a warm, elegant family home with comfort, purpose and quiet refinement.

The Design Brief

The brief was to work sensitively with the existing architecture and furniture, retaining key pieces while introducing the layers needed to complete the house. Rather than starting again, the focus was on refining what was already there: improving flow, identifying what was missing and creating a cohesive decorative direction through soft furnishings, window treatments, lighting, accessories and finishing details.

With minimal painting and decorating required, the budget was directed towards the areas that would make the greatest impact. My role was to provide clear design insight, helping the clients make confident decisions, avoid costly mistakes and invest in pieces that would enhance the home as a whole, without unnecessary disruption or overspending.

The Design Approach

The design approach began with a careful review of the ground floor plans, looking at how the family used each space and where the layout needed greater balance, purpose and flow. With such generous proportions, it was important that each room felt connected and comfortable, with subtle adjustments made where needed.

I refined the colour direction, introducing warm neutrals where needed to soften the scheme and create a calmer atmosphere. Sophisticated textures, tactile weaves and modern prints brought depth, warmth and quiet luxury, helping to ground the spaces and make them feel more sumptuous and complete.

Budget was central to the process, so we worked creatively with sourcing. Existing furniture was retained where possible, with bespoke adjustments made to improve scale, proportion and finish, while selected pieces were found through clearance, sales and thoughtful procurement.

Artwork was also a significant consideration. With large wall areas to address, it was important to approach art in a way that felt personal, balanced and sympathetic to the overall scheme, while allowing the clients’ own taste to remain central.

Designing with the Light

The south-facing light was a key consideration, as strong natural light had the potential to wash out softer colours. This allowed us to be bolder with the palette, introducing blacks, browns and deeper hues that worked confidently with the existing wallpaper. A specialist reflective film was applied to

the glass to help reduce fading and keep the room cooler on sunny days. This warm palette was echoed in the north-facing snug, creating continuity while responding to each room’s light.

Outcome

By refining the space planning, soft furnishings and decorative direction, the design transformed an unfinished townhouse into a comfortable and elegant family home. Existing furniture was retained where possible, with new layers introduced through texture, colour, artwork and finishing details.

The result is a warm, elevated interior that feels complete, personal and practical, with each space working harder for family life.