We recently had the great pleasure of taking part in the restoration of this stunning late Victorian Gothic style home in Oxfordshire, and so we thought we’d share a little sneak preview of some the work in progress as the project comes to the finishing line!
Victorian homes were certainly built to last and that is why so many of us find ourselves living in one today, faced with the dilemma of whether to restore all of the characterful features and glorious details of the period, or to renovate , bringing it up to the slick and shiny standards of modern style.
This gorgeous home is Grade 2 listed, so the owners were driven to restore its period beauty to the finest details. The Griggs & Mackay team were excited to design a kitchen and furniture that feels modern and stylish while fitting seamlessly with the Victorian character.
We made and fitted all of the wooden window sills throughout the house.
We measured, cut and installed by hand all of the wall panelling throughout the house.
This was by no means an easy feat! A period home no doubt means there are plenty of wonky walls and nooks and crannies, so we have spent much this summer measuring, cutting and fitting on site!
The hand made mirrored wardrobes in the master suite came together beautifully with the Lewis & Wood wall paper.
The attention to detail and quality of Griggs & Mackay work doesn’t stop on the outside. We carry through the fine finish to the inside as well. The soft, smooth finish on the inside of these handmade drawers is befitting the high quality of the delicates that will be nestled inside!
The wardrobe interiors were made with Cedar of Lebanon wood for its lovely colour and fragrance. It is exceptionally durable and repels insects.
This means that those fine woollen jumpers and bed socks will be immune to the ravages of moths or other creatures that may be in search of a cozy nesting space.
The wall panelling with the bold wall paper brings a bit of drama to the stairwell. A new oak staircase was made and aged with special waxes. Beautiful hand distressed wide oak floorboards were laid throughout the house.
That small wonky cupboard space became the perfect drinks cabinet!
We just love all the period details in this restoration!
Including the stunning Madagascar Blue Marble in this bathroom!
Everything in this beautiful home was either restored or made in keeping with the original period style.
Designing a handmade piece of furniture to fit in an awkward space is part of our expertise. We finished the cabinet doors with a hint of Gothic detail to fit the period of the home.
We have so enjoyed working on this home (we didn’t want to leave!) with interior designer Alan McVitty of MStudio London and it is exciting to see it all coming together! Although this is just a sneak preview, we’ll certainly share the photo shoot images with you as soon as all the final finishes are complete! You won’t want to miss it so stay tuned!
If you are planning a restoration of your own, however big or small, please get in touch us at Griggs & Mackay! We’d love to hear from you and discuss how we can help you make it happen!