GEORGIAN GRADE II LISTED Renovation

Renovating a Georgian Grade II Listed Home in Richmond: An Interior Designer’s Perspective

Richmond-upon-Thames is renowned for its elegant Georgian houses, green open parkland and historic architecture. From the grand townhouses of Richmond Hill to the riverside terraces of St Margarets and the village charm of Petersham, the area is rich with period properties protected through Grade II listing.

These homes have an undeniable beauty - tall sash windows, symmetrical facades, generous ceiling heights and classical Georgian proportions. Yet renovating a Grade II listed Georgian home in Richmond requires a sensitive approach, balancing modern living with the responsibility of preserving architectural heritage, in line with planning requirements.

As interior designers experienced in renovating listed homes, we have a deep respect for historical detail together with a clear understanding of how to make these extraordinary properties comfortable, functional and tailored for contemporary life.

Our Role in Renovating Georgian Interiors for Modern Living

Every Georgian home has a unique narrative shaped by its era, architectural detail and unique history. Our role is to help clients interpret that story - enhancing the home’s heritage while creating interiors that reflect the personality of their owner and contemporary lifestyle.

Many Georgian homes have undergone additions or alterations over time. We begin by understanding the current building design, the history of how it has evolved and the vision our client has for it’s future. Together we explore the possibilities.

Our work is grounded in practicality as much as aesthetics: we create solutions that suit modern life - family living, entertaining, working from home - while honouring the authentic character of the Georgian architecture.

Georgian Homes in Richmond: What Makes Them So Special?

Richmond’s Georgian heritage is one of its defining qualities. These homes are admired for their harmonious symmetry, generously proportioned rooms and decorative features such as cornicing, original fireplaces, timber panelling and elegant sash windows.

These architectural elements influence how interior designers work within the space: High ceilings call for layered lighting and elegant drapery. Balanced room shapes lend themselves to symmetrical layouts: Original mouldings and joinery require sensitive enhancement, not replacement.

Working With Grade II Listing Regulations in Richmond

Grade II listing protects buildings of architectural and historical importance. In Richmond, conservation areas, such as Richmond Green, Marble Hill, Richmond Hill and parts of Kew, contain many buildings requiring planning permission, even if not listed.

Interior design for listed homes requires an appreciation of which elements are sacrosanct - such as staircases, windows, internal walls or decorative plasterwork - and which can be sensitively adapted. Working with architects, conservation specialists, heritage consultants and local planning officers as appropriate, we develop new interior designs that work within planning requirements to create exceptional new designs for our clients.

Our involvement ensures, for example, that: New joinery respects original proportions. Colour palettes enhance natural light and historic details. Modern lighting avoids damaging historic surfaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are integrated into designated spaces, with the desired modern functionality. Aesthetic coherence is maintained throughout the home.

This approach results in interiors that feel refined, authentic and entirely in harmony with the building.

Designing With Proportion, Colour and Historical Sensitivity

Georgian homes offer a stunning canvas for interior design. We draw from the period without replicating it dogmatically - creating spaces that feel timeless, elegant and grounded in their surroundings. We explore:

• Heritage-inspired colour palettes - muted stone, mineral greens, soft blues, chalky neutrals and deeper historic tones

• Natural materials that allow the building to breathe - lime paints, timber and textured plaster

• Layered lighting schemes designed to complement tall ceilings, panelling and pillars

• Bespoke joinery crafted to fit alcoves or chimney breasts, providing discreet storage without interrupting the classical rhythm of the architecture, where allowed

These details add to the existing atmosphere of the home while allowing the owners’ personal style to evolve.

Introducing Modern Comfort Into a Historic Homes

One of the great pleasures of designing Georgian homes is integrating modern comforts - from contemporary kitchens and spa-like bathrooms to underfloor heating and technology - in a way that feels coherent and respectful.

We may achieve this by using natural finishes that sit comfortably within the architecture, designing cabinetry in classic proportions and selecting fittings that harmonise with the home without mimicking period detail.

Even small interventions, such as placing lighting to highlight cornicing or selecting textiles that soften strong geometry, can make a home feel fresh and modern while retaining the gentle elegance of its Georgian origins.

Challenges and Opportunities in Georgian Renovation

Listed Georgian homes can come with inherited quirks: uneven floors, ageing plaster, irregular layouts or restrictive window placements. We approach these challenges with creativity and sensitivity. We view them as part of the home’s unique character rather than obstacles to eliminate.

Through thoughtful design, we can draw attention to the property’s best features while gently correcting areas that feel disjointed from later alterations.

The ultimate goal is to create interiors that feel effortless and comfortable, as though they have always belonged within the architecture.

Georgian Renovations in Richmond

Richmond is one of the most sought-after areas in the UK for period home living. Its Georgian and early Victorian houses offer timeless architecture, proximity to the river and parkland, and a lifestyle that blends historic charm with modern quality.

Many homeowners here seek designers who understand:

• How to work sympathetically within conservation guidelines.

• How to elevate heritage homes with contemporary comfort.

• How to preserve value and architectural integrity.

• How to blend family living with historic architecture

Our experience in Richmond, London and the UK allows us to guide clients confidently through these layered, complex and rewarding renovation journeys.

Work With an Interior Designer Experienced in Grade II Georgian Homes in the UK

Renovating a Georgian home is both a privilege and a responsibility. It requires a deep appreciation of heritage, an understanding of modern lifestyle needs and the ability to collaborate across architectural and conservation disciplines.

We bring all of this to our Richmond, London and UK projects - offering a thoughtful, design-led approach that respects the history of the building while creating a home that feels warm, elegant and beautifully suited to today’s living.

If you are looking for an interior designer experienced in Grade I or Grade II listed Georgian renovation, we would be delighted to help you bring your home sensitively and beautifully into the present.