16th‑Century Home for Modern Living
Stepping into this house feels like walking into a story that spans centuries, gently layered with the architectural additions of each era and confidently brought into the present by its current custodians.
For the owners, Juliette and Robin, the connection was immediate. “I immediately fell in love with the house the minute we stepped through the door back in 2020,” Juliette recalls. This remarkable period home dates back to the 16th century, later encapsulated by 18th and 20th‑century additions. In 2024, the couple completed their own sympathetic extension: a serene master bedroom and bathroom suite overlooking the gardens.
Renovating a home of this age is not for the faint‑hearted – particularly when living in it throughout. “I think it’s been the toughest renovation so far as we decided to live in the house while the project was completed. But it allowed us to get a complete feel for the house,” they explain.
Robin, with years of hands‑on building experience, worked closely with trusted friends in the trade to undertake a full transformation over four years. Their vision was crystal clear: retain every ounce of the home’s original charm while weaving in comfort, contemporary ease, and understated luxury.
“I wanted this house to keep all its original charm, but with a modern twist and modern amenities, and also aesthetically pleasing. I feel everything in your home should be pleasing to the eye, right down to the bathtub!”
It was this philosophy that led them to Catchpole & Rye.
Some design decisions evolve slowly – this one did not. The Polished Brass Bateau, which would become the centrepiece of the new master suite, was chosen years before renovation plans had even begun.
“I first saw my forever bath while driving along the Fulham Road and instantly fell in love with it. I promised myself then that I would have that bath in my next home.”
The couple never visited either of our showrooms. “Working with Catchpole & Rye was easy; we didn’t visit or touch any of the products. It was all ordered over the phone.” Their trust in the craftsmanship and brand heritage shaped a bathroom designed entirely around this single centrepiece.
“The design of the bathroom was built purely around the bathtub. I normally start with one piece and add to it.”
Juliette’s sense of style draws deeply from childhood memories. “My style and inspiration have always come from my mother and her love of interiors,” she reflects. Growing up in a 16th‑century cottage filled with Laura Ashley and Sanderson florals, weekends were spent wandering antique shops and attending auctions – experiences that shaped her affinity for pieces with history and soul.
As an adult, the curiosity continued. “I loved to go along to any new builds in the area and see what the interior designers had achieved in the show houses!” That instinct – to observe, edit, refine – is evident throughout the house.
In the master bathroom, a treasured antique mirror now hangs above the vanity. “The antique mirror I have had for many years, and just repainted it, adding gold leaf.” The walls are finished in Farrow & Ball No. 2005 White, chosen intentionally to keep the scheme calm and neutral.
“I kept the colour scheme as neutral as possible as the bath was, and is, the showstopper!”
The completed renovation honours over four centuries of architectural history while feeling entirely relevant to modern living. The master suite, anchored by the iconic Catchpole & Rye bath, is a distilled expression of Juliette’s guiding principle: beauty, comfort, heritage, and personality intertwined with effortless simplicity.
The house stands today as a testament to thoughtful restoration, meaningful craftsmanship, and the deeply personal nature of home.
