Somerset Place

After designing their London house years before, our clients got back in touch when they decided to buy this Grade I Listed Georgian townhouse in Bath. In collaboration with Jonathan Rhind, we transformed the five-storey building into an approachable and uplifting family home. The house had been subdivided into a muddle of student rooms, so we reimagined the flow to create a coherent whole that would meet the needs of modern family life. Bringing back original features was key, creating an atmosphere that feels relevant to today but respectful of its past. We used colour intelligently – paler tones make the most of the light-filled spaces at the front of the house, while richer tones were used in the darker rooms towards the back of the building. We created a restful family snug on the lower ground floor, combining deep chocolate walls and a bright blue ceiling that serves to bounce light and lift the room. An intriguing collection of finds from flea markets and dealers helped transform the attic into a children’s floor full of treasures and stories. These magical rooms feel as if they might have always been this way. The laundry room went upstairs too, reflecting the realities of family life.