Today we’re showcasing the serene and elegant home of UK-based interior designer, renovator and content creator Laura Butler-Madden. Laura is known for her enthusiasm for architectural history, timeless elegance, and sense of sustainability with emphasis on breathing new life into period properties. During 2020, Laura got the keys to her beautiful Georgian Bath Townhouse to begin a whirlwind of a project and we can’t wait to show you around…
Laura Butler-Madden on…
Her interior decor
‘It has always been a dream of ours to renovate and design a Georgian Townhouse and it took almost two years to find this one. We got the keys in the middle of the first lockdown in the UK and I think that my designs reflect this. The world felt chaotic and strange, so my instinct was to create an amazingly calm sanctuary to retreat to. The colours I chose throughout are mainly very soft to create this sense of serenity, but I also really wanted to let the beauty of the architecture really shine through.’
Inspiration
‘Elegant is a word I love and aspire to in all my designs. I think to me it describes something classic and timeless but also with a bit of fun - something that will subtly make people stop and look. I think it also describes an uncluttered and a carefully curated space, where less is more.
I think the most important thing is to try and give your house a personality - it should reflect the people who live there and their tastes. Be confident when decorating and styling your own home - if you fall in love with something (a paint colour, piece of art or furniture), then go for it and make the rest of the space work around that element.’
Favourite Spaces
‘Currently we spend most of our time in the kitchen - we are still working on our office and so I am working at the kitchen island all day. We also spend a lot of time as a family there together in the evenings. We have a lovely sitting room connected to the kitchen, which is also somewhere we spend a lot of time in the evening.’
Interior Insights: The Kitchen
Featuring our 25mm Apollo knob in our antique brass lacquered finish and our 310mm Jaspette Pull and our 50mm Jaspette Finger Pull in our antique brass lacquered finish.
Both contemporary and graceful, this effortlessly chic kitchen pays homage to its era of origin with a beautiful ceiling rose, traditional cornicing and, of course, incredible Georgian bay windows which flood this space with the most ethereal light. This abundance of natural light works to achieve a space that is both tranquil and sophisticated.
Brilliantly functional cabinetry by Blakes London is finished to perfection with panelled detailing whilst the kitchen island boasts exquisite fluting to add an on-trend feature to a period property. The impressive stone worktops from Porter Bathroom are home to a triple bullnose edge detail and flow seamlessly to a splashback extruding into a floating shelf to create a magnificent focal point for the room.
The juxtaposition of angular ridges and soft curves make this a truly inspiring piece of design work. A warm neutral palette is cleverly contrasted with dark antique kitchen cabinet handles. The linear design of the kitchen pull handle sits perfectly alongside the panelled edging of the cabinetry. The magic continues as the eye reaches the floor to be met with a unique geometric pattern by Trunk Floor, subtle yet adding another element of interest. Softer influences are introduced through a statement chandelier, curved dining chairs and a rounded arch.
Interior Insights: The Sitting Room
Featuring our 25mm Sutton knob in our antique brass lacquered finish.
Connected to the kitchen lies a sitting room retreat that radiates comfort and calm. The curved nooks on either side of the fireplace create cohesion with the arched architecture of the kitchen and stylish accessories echo those shapes throughout. Panelled cabinetry mimics the design of the Sutton cabinet knob with it’s subtle ridge detailing. The gorgeous Gubi Pacha chairs introduce a soft textural detail and a more modern aesthetic that works effortlessly alongside the playful decorations and contemporary artwork.
Interior Insights: The Bedroom
Featuring our 310mm Jaspette Pull and our 50mm Jaspette Finger Pull in our antique brass lacquered finish.
Brimming with natural light and bursting with traditional Georgian features this bedroom exudes a timeless elegance, making it an idyllic sanctuary. Bespoke cabinets by Puzzle London shoulder the original fireplace and mirror, breathing new life into this charming room. The built-in wardrobes replicate the kitchen cabinets in style - where simple changes in hardware finish instantly elevate the space. The Jaspette wardrobe handles boast a polished brass lacquered finish, adding a warm glow and contemporary touch.
Interior Insights: The Cinema Room
The neutral colour scheme throughout this home is abruptly interrupted by this incredible, colour-pop Cinema room. The use of bold colour to achieve such an impressive space is an accomplishment not all interior designers are able to pull off. Laura has managed to introduce colour whilst keeping the feeling of calm and comfort that is fundamental to every other room. Centred around the Gucci Heron Wallpaper, the bright pink walls (French Rose by Mylands) marry beautifully with the luscious soft furnishings and luxurious fabrics creating a joyful and welcoming space. A playful setting successfully made elegant through the use of colour, shape and texture.
Featuring our Sutton knobs in our antique brass lacquered finish.
Interior Insights: Guest Bedroom
Feel an instant sense of calm as you step in to this inviting guest bedroom. Textured carpet and soft hues add an element of comfort whilst black accents bring a contemporary touch to the space. The built-in wardrobes present an elegant design and timeless style that masterfully combines form and function.
Featuring our Crossways Collection in our antique brass lacquered finish.
Clever angles are once again the defining detail of this sublime guest bedroom from the geometric design of the wardrobe handles and knobs to the panelling of the bespoke cabinetry. This design is reflected in the fireplace mantel with streamlined edges. An undeniable example of how the Crossways Collection in our antique brass lacquered finish lends itself perfectly to bedroom furniture.
Interior Insights: Entrance Hallway
Featuring our bespoke Georgian Square Grille.
A more eclectic style can be found in the entrance hallway to this graceful home. Chequered flooring adds a subtle playful touch whilst the use of shape is juxtaposed between the soft edges of the brass mirror to the square motif on the brass grille. The decorative brass grille neatly disguises the radiator to bring a unique focal point to the room and add a sense of tradition. The space is wonderfully enhanced with leaf wallpaper for a softer, elegant touch.
To see more of Laura’s inspiring home, follow @laurabutlermadden on Instagram.
