WHEN WILLIAM BROWN PAINTED THE TOWN FROM THE TOP OF ST JAMES'S AT THE START OF THE VICTORIAN ERA TO PRODUCE HIS FAMOUS PANORAMA HE ILLUSTRATED THIS RESIDENCE AS A TWO-STOREY SYMETRICAL GEORGIAN DWELLING. TEN YEARS LATER IT IS SEEN IN ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION AS AN IMPOSING 3-STOREY VICTORIAN EDIFICE. IT HAD BEEN GENTRIFIED!

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WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE HOUSE IT WAS VIRTUALLY UNSPOILT. PLASTER CEILING MOULDINGS, DOOR CASINGS, MARBLE FIRE SURROUNDS, ENCAUSTIC TILES , SERVANTS BELL'S, CAST-IRON KITCHEN RANGE - ALL WERE LARGELY INTACT. THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WAS 50 YEARS OLD WITH MANY TWO-PIN PLUGS AND LEAD-CASED CABLE. THERE WERE EVEN SEVERAL GAS MANTLES. MUCH OF THE PLUMBING PIPEWORK WAS LEAD, INCLUDING A SIX INCH LEAD SOIL DRAINPIPE.  

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THE CHALLENGE WAS TO TURN THIS UNSPOILT GEM INTO A MODERN DWELLING WITHOUT LOSING THE SOUL OF THE OLD BUILDING.

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BEING ON A MAIN ROAD THE FIRST TASK WAS TO IMPROVE THE SOUND-PROOFING AND THERMAL INSULATION. SPECIALIST CRAFTSMEN WERE EMPLOYED TO RESET ALL THE VICTORIAN SASH WINDOWS WITH HERITAGE DOUBLE GLAZING AND HIDDEN WINDOW SEALS.

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CENTRAL HEATING WAS INSTALLED USING RADIATOR DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THOSE FROM THE VICTORIAN PERIOD. THE LARGE KITCHEN WAS MODERNISED BY INTRODUCING A CENTRAL CARRARA-TOPPED PENINSULAR ON VICTORIAN CABINETS (1,4).  THE SCULLERY WAS RESTORED WITH A NEW PINE TOP  AND CERAMIC BUTLER'S SINK (3). THE ORIGINAL PANTRY REMAINS INTACT.

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A NEW BATHROOM WAS NEEDED FOR FOUR TOP-FLOOR BEDROOMS. RATHER THAN INTRODUCE A FAUX VICTORIAN ROOM WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED IN A HOUSE OF THIS SIZE IN LOUTH, WE DECIDED TO PATTERN THE BATHROOM ON THE EARLIEST BATHROOM THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INSIDE THE DWELLING. THE PANELLED 'CUNARD' BATHROOM IS THE RESULT (2).

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