Elegant Georgian Townhouse – A Sitting & Dining Room Transformed For Comfort, Character and Quiet Elegance

Cheltenham

The Brief & Our Approach

These clients had recently relocated to the Cotswolds, settling into a Grade II listed Georgian home full of potential, but in need of considered design. Their existing furniture didn’t sit comfortably within the property’s elegant, period architecture.

Recently semi-retired, finalising the sale of their business and embracing a new lifestyle — they knew the house needed attention, but didn’t know where to begin. Having designed their previous home themselves, they recognised that this time called for a different approach: professional support that could honour the heritage of the building while shaping a space that reflected the new chapter they were entering.

Sitting Room

Timeless family living room design in a Edwardian Cheltenham home

We began by listening — carefully — to how they wanted the rooms to feel. Our client described her style as “French”, but what she meant by that was very particular. With so many interpretations of French design, it was important that we understood what this meant to her.

Elegant corner of a Georgian sitting room with carved armchair, daffodils in a glass vase, and arched mirror reflecting period detailing.

Detail of a upholstered blue velvet Chesterfield sofa with textured cushions in a Georgian sitting room, framed by large sash windows and original shutters.

Close-up of painted cabinet with brass lamp and styling accessories against hand-finished wall panels in a Georgian reception room.

Dining Room

Re-painted built-in bookshelves in a Georgian sitting room, updated in a soft tonal shade to enhance period detailing and create a cohesive, elegant backdrop.

From initial planning and sourcing through to final installation, we managed every detail — creating a calm, structured process that gave the clients time to focus on settling in, explore their new surroundings and enjoy the process along the way.

Dining table positioned to maintain visual connection with the re-painted bookshelves and adjacent sitting area in a Georgian period home, creating a cohesive transition between living and dining spaces.

Close-up of brass rechargeable wall light by Pooky with pleated shade, mounted beside a decorative mirror in a period Georgian home.

Elegant dining room with crystal chandelier, bespoke wall panels, and antique up-cycled display cabinet in a Georgian period home in Cheltenham.

These rooms are just perfect and completely ‘me’. You’ve really understood me and taken the time to get it right. We love them.

Zoë & Paul, Cheltenham

Visualising the Designs

One of the ways we supported clarity in the design process was through 3D visuals. These helped the clients clearly understand how the layout, finishes and flow would come together — giving them confidence to move forward with the design.

Side-by-side comparison of 3D visuals showing the transformation of the Georgian sitting room from dated layout to refined, comfortable living space.

Side-by-side comparison of 3D visuals showing the transformation of the Georgian sitting room from dated to refined, comfortable living space.

Before-and-after 3D visuals illustrating the redesign of a Georgian dining room with new colour scheme, furniture plan, and period friendly lighting.

Before-and-after 3D visuals illustrating the redesign of a Georgian dining room with new colour scheme, furniture plan, and lighting.

The Result : Before & After Transformations

Timeline : 9 months

The result is a home that feels unmistakably theirs — welcoming, comfortable and easy to live in, with just enough elegance to feel special. The two rooms flow beautifully together, balancing traditional charm with a lightness that complements the flow of their day-to-day.

Elegant Georgian sitting room transformation with blue velvet sofa, crystal chandelier, and original sash windows in a period Cheltenham townhouse.

Elegant Georgian sitting room with blue velvet sofa, crystal chandelier, and original sash windows in a period Cheltenham townhouse.

It’s now a space they can enjoy all day — whether they’re relaxing with the dogs, catching up on emails in a quiet corner, or opening a bottle of wine with friends as the evening draws in. A home that reflects not just the character of the building, but the people who live there.

Original fireplace and built-in shelving in a Georgian period home, prior to renovation, with plain joinery and minimal styling.

Refined fireplace and bespoke shelving in a Georgian sitting room, with detailed joinery, period-appropriate styling, and soft tonal palette.

The original joinery lacked visual cohesion, with natural wood tones drawing focus away from the architectural details. By repainting the built-in cabinetry and styling the fireplace alcoves, we transformed the unit into a feature that feels purposeful and refined. The result is elegant storage that enhances the room’s symmetry and allows the eye to rest — a subtle but impactful shift that brings balance to the entire space.

Light-filled Georgian sitting room with transformed with detailing and contemporary styling in a period Cheltenham property.

The design was guided by a quiet, layered elegance — with panelling to enhance the architecture, softly textured wallpaper for depth, and furnishings tailored to the scale of each room. Layered lighting added warmth throughout the day, bringing flexibility and softness to the space.

Light-filled Georgian sitting room with refined detailing and contemporary styling in a period Cheltenham property.

Does your home reflect the life you’re living today?

If you’re in the midst of a life transition and want your home to reflect this new chapter, we’re here to help bring that vision to life.

Our full-service approach means you can focus on settling in, while we take care of everything — from the big-picture planning to the smallest details that make a space feel like home.

It starts with a conversation — no pressure, simply a chance to explore whether we’re the right studio to guide your project. Book a Discovery Call and find out how we can help you create a home that works beautifully and feels effortless to live in.