This high-end luxury refurbishment was completed in Chelsea

As a single chapter in the story of London’s affinity for books, this piece of 19th century history began with Sir William Nicoll. He was the founder of the British Weekly newspaper, and his own personal comfort was the upstairs library. Nicoll’s influence as a contemporary lived on through the bespoke custom furniture and finishes of this refurbishment.

We provided our overseas client with reassuring honesty as we carefully navigated the complex nature of a dated and perishing interior. It was an amalgamation of two flats and a complete back to bricks renovation that saw the first-floor of ‘Bay Tree Lodge’ converted into one high-end luxury apartment.

Our story of this grade listed high-end Georgian refurbishment began whilst working on a neighboring Chelsea home.

The client had previously experienced difficulty in finding a team of builders who could handle the complex details and bespoke joinery of their own project.

Our neighboring site was neat and organized, our team was professional, and our tour of the neighbour’s completed luxury refurbishment proved to be an overwhelming success.

The renovation of Bay Tree Lodge ran smoothly, but not without some surprises along the way. We found old chimney stacks where proposed structural supports were supposed to be installed. We had to replace these and build proper supports to take a load of 3 structural beams in order to open up the lower part of the house.

Such situations are unpredictable, yet we are always ready to face the challenge when they occur.

Each week, the relationship with our new client was moved forward with progress reports that included photography and site meetings with the entire project team.

A number of other un-poetical features such as structural ties and cast-in concrete beams, which are not unusual to find during a complex back-to-bricks renovation, were completely uncovered and repaired.

Warmth was a top priority, so we installed London’s must-have heat PIR insulation along with double-glazed, council-approved windows that were identical to the existing building.

We managed to meet the budget to high-praise by implementing proven solutions based on our vast experience. Just when the chapter of this home was about to be closed, we were asked to extend the project budget by a further 2%. This decision was premeditated and based on honest cost discussions that took place prior to commencement of the project.

We often handle the unpredictable nature of a perishing interior by employing organized, dedicated and practical builders.

Experience once again permitted HRL to finish this high-end luxury refurbishment in agreement with the new architect’s plans and to a remarkable standard.

The client was delighted when he arrived with a bottle of champagne to celebrate completion of the project!

First-floor ‘Bay Tree Lodge’ refurbishment included:

• High-end decorating with a mixture of Little Green, Farrow and Ball paints.
• Bespoke high-end furniture and  kitchen design and manufacturing.
• New electrical and plumbing services adapted to modern requirements.
• Extensive soundproofing to reduce the effects of noise pollution.
• Partition walls throughout to accommodate the new layout, new ceilings, plastering, period cornicing, and leveling to all floors and ceilings.
• All new hardwood double-glazed windows, council approved and matched to the existing building
• Heat PIR insulation applied to all walls.

Client: Private

Duration: 5 Months

Location: Chelsea

Budget: Undisclosed

A word from our Clients:

The project involved converting two very dilapidated flats, on different levels, into one high end fully reconfigured/renovated flat. The work was complex, not least because it is a Georgian building with difficult access.
Working with a contractor for the first time is always a learning curve on both sides. We were pleased to find that Mariusz’s approach is very much in the spirit of collaboration. Our attention to detail does not make for an easy ride for a builder, Mariusz was patient and understanding about this. However, it’s the fact that he cares enormously about whether the client is happy, and his determination to deliver quality that makes him stand out.

Michelle & Claudia