Tour a Georgian Townhouse in London designed by Sims Hilditch

HOUSE TOUR | ROOMS & GARDENS | WORLD OF CABANA

Join Busola Evans as she tours an elegant Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, reawakened by London-based interior design studio, Sims Hilditch. The historic London house was revived, and transformed into a warm family home, through thoughtful design: a sensitive collaboration between the designer and architect. 

BY BUSOLA EVANS | ROOMS & GARDENS | 13 DECEMBER 2025

A Georgian townhouse designed by London-based Sims Hilditch © Simon Brown

Historic houses carry a distinct charm, shaped by centuries of use and the craftsmanship of their time. But even that charm can diminish when the interiors no longer reflect the building’s original spirit. Such was the case with this Grade I listed Georgian terrace in a pretty enclave in south-west London, where the elegant proportions had been overshadowed by rooms devoid of personality. 

Aware of the work required, the owners – a couple with three young children who bought the house in 2022 – called upon design studio, Sims Hilditch, to create a warm family home that honors the building’s architecture, while being in tune with day-to-day modern life. “It was meant to be a redecoration project but it quickly became clear that we needed something more extensive,” says Becca Dent, the studio’s lead designer.

Working on a listed building is a complex affair, however. Only 2% of buildings in the UK have that status – meaning they are of national interest and have strict preservation laws – and Grade I structures make up only 2.5% of those. Needless to say, restoring such rare properties is not for the faint of knowledge. So what followed was a thoughtful collaboration between Sims Hilditch and architect Darren Price, of Adam Architecture, whose expertise in historic buildings was crucial to help guide the process. 

All images © Simon Brown Photography

The ground floor, once a sequence of indistinct rooms, has been reimagined to allow a better sense of flow and a restrained palette of muted shades and warm neutrals create a thread of cohesion. The entrance hall doubles up as a dining space for entertaining and despite its city location, the family room takes its cue from a more rural setting.

“The client wanted a country feel so we have used greens and florals throughout,” explains Becca. An arched bookcase was repainted in a soft off-white and its mix of books and objects give the room a collected feel. ”The joinery is original so we redecorated it to accentuate the woodwork,” adds Becca. But even the painting of walls and existing cabinetry came under the scrutiny of conservation officers. “The planners are less worried about the colour of paint, but definitely the specification,” says Darren. “They want to know if it is breathable and appropriate to the early Georgian material.” 

The kitchen presented a different challenge. Small, in need of updating and unable to relocate because of the permission minefield, Becca chose to embrace its compact footprint. Leafy green and grey cabinetry were chosen to echo the garden views and visually expand the space. “We tried to design it so it doesn't look like a functional kitchen. We created a pantry and extra fridge storage in the boot room, which means we have open shelving in the kitchen, so it is still a decorated space.”

Furniture choices reflect a deliberate interplay of old and new. “We worked with as much of the clients’ existing ones as possible,” says Becca. “Where we added pieces, we sourced antiques. We worked on the principle of making sure there was at least an antique in every room to give it a layered, lived-in feel.” Alongside these sit contemporary pieces from George Smith, Vaughan, Julian Chichester and Soane, all selected for their timeless forms. 

Upstairs in the serene drawing room, Becca struck a balance between formality and simplicity. “This is where the clients receive guests but they also wanted a cosy, relaxed feel,” she says. George Smith armchairs and a sofa provide a convivial setting and from a reinstated ceiling rose – made from traditional fibrous plaster by expert craftspeople commissioned by Darren – hangs a striking multi-armed ceiling light.

The main bedroom, with its adjoining study, offers a gentler mood. Initial plans for decorative wallpaper within every panel evolved into something more understated: linen wallcoverings set into four of the panels, allowing the room’s proportions to speak for themselves. Across the landing, the bathroom has been re-envisioned with a pair of marble-topped vanities, flanking the original tub.

All images © Simon Brown Photography

“They look like pieces of furniture which also worked in terms of planning approval, ” says Darren. “The inspectors are very resistant to built-in pieces and want freestanding reversibility so you can move things without damaging the fabric.”

The upper floors, home to the three children’s bedrooms benefitted from a rare exception. Their bathroom, historically relocated without consent, was allowed to return to its original position, creating a more balanced layout. The lower-ground now consists of a boot room, utility, wine cellar and guest suite. “It’s where the most reconfiguration happened,” Darren says. Every change – from adding cabinetry to introducing a sink – required careful negotiation.

For both designer and architect, the project’s success lies in the complementary way they worked. “It was a great collaboration and we are planning to do more projects together,” says Becca. “This was not about a radical transformation, it was about fully realising the beauty of the home which was there all along."