Yesterday I had the privilege, courtesy of The Georgian Group, to visit a beautiful and sensitively restored Georgian townhouse on Queen Anne’s Gate in London. The house was and is a grand townhouse and in its day was inhabited by notable politicians and diplomats such as Lord Kinnaird, the 1st Baron Malmesbury, Lord Apsley and William Smith.
The current owner has set about painstakingly stripping back years of paintwork both on the exterior railings and stonework and the interior, on coving, friezes and architraves. The decor is a wonderful balance of traditional and current day tastes although always in keeping and true to the original. The furniture and ornament is entirely antique. I applaud the owner for the sensitivity and authenticity with which the restoration has been approached and the original architectural design and detailing is superb.
My only hesitation is with it as a modern day, habitable home because it felt just a little like a museum in the way that it was furnished. For example, room after room contained a table and chairs with a bureau and there are only so many rooms that you will eat in. There was only one room that I imagine the owners might relax in of an evening when not entertaining.
Anyway, here are some of the details I picked out that I thought you might be interested to see. Note the Farrow and Ball palette of colours used throughout the house.
This tall dark handsome stranger happens to be my father, architect Derek Latham, who accompanied me.
This house really is a gem. The calibre of restoration is testament to the painstaking efforts and evident passion for the Georgian period, its architecture and interior styling of its current owner.
I adored every minute of my visit and I hope you’ve enjoyed some of my selected highlights. Sarah
