This stunning home balances grand period details and contemporary family living perfectly

After living in London, Claire Hill and her family relocated to Bristol, taking on the renovation of a grand Georgian terraced house in a prime Bristol postcode.

Here, Claire takes us on a tour of her stunning four-storey Georgian property on the oldest terrace in Bristol, explaining how they bought it and what they've done to make it their forever home.

‘We moved to Bristol from London to be closer to family, initially renting a flat to get a sense of the area. Very quickly, we fell in love with the city – the nearby open spaces of Clifton Down and Lea Woods – and decided to look for a place to buy.'

'This was the first house we viewed, but we lost out to a cash buyer. I actually cried. When the sale fell through and our offer was accepted, I felt over the moon.’

‘It’s a Georgian terrace and over the years has been sensibly converted for modern family life, adding en-suites and opening up the kitchen-diner. At one time, the front door would have opened straight into the living room, but previous owners created a hallway which makes the property feel better proportioned.'

'Apparently, this terrace was built for the owner of a nearby quarry. While the houses were partitioned vertically, there were no internal walls, and although they look uniform from the front the layout of each is different.

‘We managed the renovation in phases, as and when the budget allowed. We painted our bedroom almost immediately, though. It’s a wonderfully rich blue which I still love to this day. Fortunately, the house has very good bones – grand period features, high ceilings and coving – and, although the decor was a little bland, the work required was largely cosmetic.’

‘It was very challenging to take on the renovation ourselves with two young kids, that’s for sure! The kitchen was a big upcycle, inspired by traditional designs from high-end retailers like deVol. I treated the whole project like a job, 3D-modelling the design and colour choices on SketchUp, so I could embark on the work with confidence.'

'The original cabinets were a glossy cream Shaker style, but I was keen to create something that looked like it might have always been here, settling on a dark green which adds drama to the space. I removed several doors at a time and painted them while the children were at nursery, and then left them to dry in the utility room. It was quite a slow process which took several weeks. We also added panelling, and changed the chrome handles to brass.’

The living room

‘We added panelling and repainted this space over one weekend in lockdown. I’ve always felt it’s important to honour the spirit of a house, incorporating features into period properties that might have always been there.’

‘As the space is long and narrow, I positioned the sofa beneath the window, across the short side of the room. It makes it feel much better proportioned,’ says Claire.

The kitchen

‘I can’t remember where I first got the inspiration for the brass kitchen island – it’s a nod to the modern in what’s otherwise a fairly traditional space.’

The dining area

‘We retained the original flagstones – they’re weathered with a few chips, but they suit the house perfectly.'

The main bedroom

‘The period detail was what really drew us to the house, even down to the decorative coving and fireplaces. This was the first room we painted – I’m a huge fan of dark colours in bedrooms for a cocooning feel. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this scheme.'

The bathroom

‘We worked with a local tradesman who created extra storage and fitted the new sanitaryware.’

The guest bedroom

‘As there are fewer period details on the top floor, I wanted to add character with paint choices and light fittings.’

Focus on... Brass

• CUT TO SIZE Standard size sheets offer the most cost-effective option: a good joiner should be able to cut sheets to size and fix in position.
• CHARACTERFUL FINISH Expect imperfections to develop over time: darker patination and marks add character, lending a vintage feel. However, some companies offer a gloss lacquer coating which prevents ageing.
• COST AND WHERE TO USE IT In terms of price, 1sq m brass panel costs from around £650, with bespoke finishes more expensive than this. To achieve a similar look at a lower cost, consider cladding only one section of an island or use on cabinet kickboards.
• BRASS AFTERCARE To keep brass looking its best, use a soft cloth and warm soapy water to remove dirt, debris and any surface tarnishing, and buff dry to avoid watermarks. On surfaces, it’s also important to use trivets and coasters to prevent damage from hot pans and cups, and to wipe up spills immediately.

Get the look

As told to Kathy Hurst