Georgian Villa House Belgravia

Alison Henry Design reimagined a rather tired London Georgian Villa and Mews House to create a warm and welcoming family home. Despite a basement excavation and Tree Preservation Order on the magnificent London plane tree in the courtyard complicating the works the AHD team delivered the spectacular £4.7m restoration project in spring 2020.

Romantic French doors lead from the entrance hall to the dining room and on to the kitchen. There lies a wonderful surprise: a double height Crittall glass wall and roof, a palatial orangery, with climbers and antique camellia urns. The kitchen within this show-stopping light box, a collaboration between AHD and Officine Gullo, makes entertaining a glamorous affair with matte white cabinetry, nickel detailing, Versailles floors, and Calacatta Caldia marble. The project reflects Alison’s sense of laid-back glamour. The garden feels like a living room within a home: metal furniture with soft buttoned cushions, lounge area, carved gas fireplace, sun loungers, breakfast area and an Officine Gullo x AHD barbecue in keeping with the kitchen’s design. For Alison, one of the pleasures was working in classical and contemporary design languages. Referencing the Main House’s Georgian architecture in its interiors, the Mews has a contemporary yet refined appeal with a beautifully restored staircase, a rescue from the original Main House. The wooden dining table, rush seating and white oiled oak flooring, bring warmth and a sense of relaxed rusticity. One of Alison’s trademarks, this pattern can be seen throughout both houses – combining light and airiness with warm touches.