Contemporary Georgian Sitting Room

Striking a balance between tradition and modernity

This contemporary Georgian sitting room design needed to champion the stunning historic features in a contemporary way. The client approached me after they had struggled to find examples of Georgian interiors that weren’t in a classic or country house style. They wanted a fusion of old and new – a comfortable family friendly room that celebrated the architectural detailing while having a calm, layered feel about it.

The property was grade II listed so the design focused on furniture layouts and achieving a mix of old and new to create the right feel.

Using a large L shaped sofa immediately made the space feel more contemporary as well as being practical. The overmantle mirror was a TV, so the client could view in comfort.

We sourced a club fender for the fireplace, a cosy touch for winter as well as additional seating. A pair of antique Bergère chairs brought texture and age while being a suitably light presence in the room.

The Georgian paneling was painted in Edward Bulmer’s Pearl colour; a nuanced off-white with yellow and blue tones that has a captivating play of shades in varying lights. As the room had beautiful wooden shutters which both we and the client loved, we advised not to add curtains.

Placing the sofa in line with middle window bay also created a lovely entrance into the room. A small side table behind the sofa held some of the clients design books while a Thonet rocking chair was framed in the window.

Our lookbook for the room showing the key furnishings together. Simplifying the elements in this room and playing with forms, materiality and scale played a key role in striking the desired balance between the old and newer elements, while also accentuating the exquisite Georgian features.

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