A Calm & Considered Home In Belfast

Renovating a property in a conservation area has its challenges, but architect and interior designer Craig Hutchinson of HUTCH Design managed to create a holistic, cohesive and considered home to serve the needs of the family that lives there. Here’s how he did it…

https://slman.com/life/calm-considered-home-in-belfast







The Property

This family home, for a professional couple and their three children, is in a residential suburb in Belfast – specifically a Conservation Area of special architectural and historic interest. This meant the house was subject to stricter planning laws for any external modifications. Constructed in the early 20th century, the original house is over 120 years old, sited on a raised private plot, and set within high mature trees and hedging. The three-storey building was originally constructed in red brick, signature of the area, with three pronounced chimneys (all of which had to be taken down and rebuilt), a front bay window with decorative cornicing and timber sash windows. In the 1950s, the house was converted into three flats by the previous owner, spoiling many of the original Victorian features and the layout. We were tasked with a full renovation including: part demolition; architectural and structural alterations to the building; interior design; and decoration, including sourcing furniture, sculptures and lighting. It was both an architectural and interior design project, with significant structural changes to the building and new layouts on every level.







The Brief

The brief was to restore the building to its original purpose as a family residence, while simultaneously reviving and preserving the few remaining Victorian elements. In parallel, it needed to be adapted for contemporary family living, addressing both the requirements of a young family and the challenges posed by the building’s cramped rooms and dark, damp conditions. This entailed reworking the entire layout on every floor – creating flexible, open living spaces with ample storage, alongside quieter, more private spaces. It was clear the kitchen was important to our clients, so we made this the focal point of the ground-floor living-dining-kitchen area. We also selected materials that were not only robust enough to withstand the rigours of family life, but also comfortable, with a sense of enduring quality to them.







It was also important to enhance the connection with the garden. Passing through a concealed arched door and barrel-vaulted entrance, you step into an expansive double-height living, dining and kitchen area. We strategically positioned this space to offer our clients a sweeping view from the front to the back of the building, providing views of both the new front terrace and rear courtyard garden. For entry to the rear courtyard garden, we designed large floor-to-ceiling, custom-made sliding timber doors, with timber-framed glazing and a canopy. For the new limestone front terrace, we added French doors and new sash windows to connect the living area to this outdoor space. Practically, the home was stripped and restored with a retiled roof, new sash windows, repointed façades and internal insulation throughout.





The Colours & Materials

We took a consistent and cohesive approach throughout the home, with calming, neutral tones and a simple but textured palette of materials. The natural qualities of the materials juxtapose with bolder touches throughout the furnishings, decorative objects, sculptures and artwork. To create a sense of calm and relaxation, we used Bauwerk’s textured lime paint colours ‘Bone’ and ‘Stone’, both of which were chosen for their texture and depth, and how the subtle brushstroke variations caught the light. Textured marble and natural stone filters through the home in custom-designed joinery such as crafted vanities and fireplaces – the Rosa Antico, Crema Diana and Viola marbles work well against the more minimal brassware.







Upstairs, in the kids’ bedrooms and shower room, we used more refreshing pinks and blues, as well as sage green tiles. The natural oak flooring on the ground floor was sourced from local supplier Trunk. On the upper floors, we restored the original Victorian floorboards, before treating them with an off-white natural oil to enhance their character. The design is a delicate mix of softer touches and classic modern styles, balancing contemporary Scandinavian minimalism with traditional elements and signature furniture pieces to elevate the space. Finally, we took great care in sourcing and curating a diverse and bold selection of art, sculptures and furnishings. We sourced from local and international artisans, styling everything with iconic pieces of the past and contemporary pieces of today.

snip