Luckily, Mark and Suki’s objectives for the design didn’t often clash with the Heritage Officers. They didn’t want to significantly change the building, they wanted to preserve it and even reinstate period features that had been lost to time while stripping out additions that were inappropriate.
Enough of the period details had survived for us to be able to fill in the gaps where they were missing. The unsightly, blocky concrete steps leading down to the garden were stripped out and replaced with stone paved steps to match those at the front of the house, along with countless other repairs and matching replacements of cornices, balustrades and fireplaces.
For some details, we looked elsewhere on the road for inspiration. For example, we matched entablatures and pilasters (period column decorations typical of Georgian architecture) from neighbouring houses that were missing from Mark and Suki’s home.
We were also permitted to stray from the original architecture to make improvements that looked natural, such as replacement of an awkward-looking casement bathroom window on the top floor to a more traditional sash window that – while not original – complements the rest of the design.
The biggest change was the demolition of an unsightly lean-to extension in the rear lower ground to replace it with a smaller, but more aesthetically appropriate glass and timber structure featuring traditional detail.
But most of the improvements are the small quality of life changes that we take for granted. Wiring, plumbing, lighting and Ethernet access will be brought up to current standards, along with a brand new kitchen and bathrooms so that Mark and Suki – and future generations – can make the most of this beautiful Georgian home.