Be inspired by this beautiful Georgian townhouse in Suffolk

This Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse, once the home of a town reeve, has seven bedrooms including a two-bedroom annexe in former stables, dating from around 1760 with Victorian additions. The owners bought the house in 2004. The property is unique because it combines a traditional red-brick house at the back with the owners' interior design business at the front. Although the house is Georgian, the owners were keen to give it a contemporary feel. 'It's a period house with sash windows, but I didn't want it to be chintzy inside.'

1/8 Exterior

2/8 Hallway

The hallway provides a place to pause and change shoes on the classic farmhouse-style bench. Wool throws, blankets and cushions makes the wood cosy and is a usual hangout for the owner's dog. The work of a local artist hangs on the wall.

Paint
Farrow & Ball
Picture
Jerry Waide at Westcliffe Gallery

3/8 Living room

A reclaimed carriage door acts as a partition in this cosy living room and turns an otherwise ordinary room into a unique space filled with light. Pale walls and oak flooring complement the soft green paint colour on the tongue-and-groove panelling, while plush seating with floral cushions are arranged artfully around a coffee table.

Sofas
Sofasofa
Paint colour
Farrow and Ball

4/8 Open-plan dining area

The former carriage area is now an elegant seating space, with glass doors beyond the table leading to the garden. A fan of neutrals, the owner has used them throughout, adding colour with accessories. Painted furniture is used to great effect, along with vintage finds, while painted floorboards give the kitchen a shabby chic feel. The downstairs is perfect for entertaining. 'There's space when everyone is home, and I love living in a market town because we have lots of friends who pop by.'

Chairs, dining table, chandelier
Bells of Suffolk

5/8 Kitchen

After rewiring, re-plumbing and re-roofing, work began on the kitchen. 'We were keen to create a big kitchen as the hub of the house so the downstairs felt open.' A quiet palette, accents of black and pine, and panelled doors create a country kitchen feel. 'The reconfigured layout suits our lifestyle and gives our period house the airy, contemporary feel we wanted.' Panelled unit doors without fancy mouldings are finished in natural woods – maple and cherry are typical – or painted; grey gives a contemporary spin.

Units
The Kitchen and Bathroom Studio

6/8 Garden

Rustic vintage finds enhance this delightful outdoor space. An antique mangle and steel watering cans instantly evoke the essence of days-gone-by – ideal for a courtyard garden. Terracotta pots and shrub filled fruit boxes give the scheme a typical English country vibe. Choose flowers and plants from the same variety, creating a fabulous bloom come summer. Try planting sweet-smelling lavender for a wonderful aroma.

Similar watering can
Garden Trading

7/8 Bedroom

The owners combined painted furniture and faded florals for modern country chic. The plain walls are made fabulous fauna and floral print wallpaper. Tonal colours enhance fanciful pattern to give balance to the scheme. Painted furniture and sophisticated lighting add to the elegance, while a sumptuous lilac quilt injects a bold hit of colour.

Wallpaper
Colefax and Fowler
Similar Bedspread
Laura Ashley

8/8 Bathroom

Once a galleried area over the shop, this space is now a statement sanctuary, with its elegant roll-top bath and twin basins. The exposed stonework and original beams on the ceiling make a lovely focal point in this country bathroom.

Bath and basins
Bathstore
Mirror
Bells of Suffolk
Wall lights
Homebase