A ROOM BY ROOM GUIDE TO SUSSEX HOUSE

You enter Sussex House through an imposing Doric columned porched entrance.   As you pass through the front door you enter into a large panelled hallway.  At the far end of the hallway is a curved staircase leading to the first floor.  Beneath the staircase is a more recent edition, a fire door and staircase, leading to the basement.   We plan to remove the fire door and enclosure, restore the staircase to the first floor and relocate the stairway down to the basement to the area currently occupied by the lift shaft.

To the left of the hallway is the first of two reception rooms.  This room with its elegant window shutters and high ceilings will become a formal reception space.

Through the double dividing doors is the second reception space.  This room will become a more relaxed living space for the family.

At the rear of the building, visible on the plans, is the most dramatic of Sandy’s ideas, the removal of the lift shaft and part of the ground floor to create a double height room leading to the basement via a mezzanine and staircase.  In the far left-hand corner, a five-meter-high frameless glass extension draws light into the void.

Ground floor plans

Moving upstairs, we wind our way up the original Georgian staircase along the hallway and into a large master bedroom.  The master bedroom located at the rear of the building retains its impressive bay window.   A large Edwardian Shanks plunger bath will sit in the bay window. 

The master bedroom will connect to the rooms to the right-hand side to create an ensuite shower room and walk-in wardrobes.

At the front of the first floor will be a further bedroom, bathroom containing an original Art Deco canopy bath and an office.

First floor plans

On the second floor, our two children’s bedrooms and individual small ensuite shower rooms will occupy the front of the building.

At the rear of the house will be a self-contained flat including kitchenette, dining space and ensuite.

Moving downstairs we finally enter the basement.   The plans for the basement will include a gym, utility and plant room to the front of the house.  At the rear will be a large kitchen and the dramatic double height dining room with glass extension and staircase to the ground floor.

Basement floor plans

Basement excavation

Sandy’s decision to remove the lift shaft and create a double height room at the rear will create a freer flowing connection between the main reception space on the ground floor and a large and very attractive open plan kitchen and dining area.