A Restored 18th-Century Georgian Home on England’s Southeast Coast Asks £1.3M

Thanks to a thoughtful update by the current owner, artist Lucy Lyons, the revived interiors feature a vibrant color palette inspired by the property’s original era.
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Property Details:  

Location: Churchfield Place, Margate, Kent, England

Price: £1,295,000 (the property was recently relisted at £1,200,000)

Footprint: 4,903 square feet (six bedrooms, four baths)

From the agent: "Gordon House is a remarkably characterful Grade II-listed home located on the fringe of Margate’s center, just minutes from the Main Sands and the railway station. Originally built in the 1790s as a Georgian family home, Gordon House’s 4,903 square feet now feature six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gallery space, and studios across its five thoughtfully renovated floors. Many of the original architectural features have been revealed and preserved, and later Victorian cosmetic additions saved, including marble fire surrounds, internal archways and doors, sash windows, and wooden floorboards. The home was once part of the Ancient Parish of St. John the Baptist—which dates back to the 1500s—and had links with the nearby Grade I-listed Parish Church. This exciting abode is currently owned by Lucy Lyons, an artist who uses the house as a place to create and share with other artists and makers."

This 18th-century residence, dubbed Gordon House, is located in the seaside town of Margate, Kent, in southeast England. "A mixture of exposed and painted brickwork and render diverge the imposing facade, which is set slightly back from the pavement behind original iron railings," says the listing agent. 

This 18th-century residence, dubbed Gordon House, is located in the seaside town of Margate, Kent, in southeast England. "A mixture of exposed and painted brickwork and render diverge the imposing facade, which is set slightly back from the pavement behind original iron railings," says the listing agent. 

In addition to its well-preserved original elements, the Georgian home includes a number of Victorian additions that have been thoughtfully maintained throughout the years. In the entry hallway, "an early-Victorian fluted glass door surrounded by stained-glass windows gives a taste of the color and character to come," says the listing agent. 

In addition to its well-preserved original elements, the Georgian home includes a number of Victorian additions that have been thoughtfully maintained throughout the years. In the entry hallway, "an early-Victorian fluted glass door surrounded by stained-glass windows gives a taste of the color and character to come," says the listing agent. 

The five-story residence spans 4,903 square feet with six bedrooms and four baths. 

The five-story residence spans 4,903 square feet with six bedrooms and four baths. 

"The main reception room retains a warm feel despite its vast proportions," says the listing agent. "The original skirting boards, picture rails, and dividing arch are dutifully complemented by a pair of white marble fireplaces."

"The main reception room retains a warm feel despite its vast proportions," says the listing agent. "The original skirting boards, picture rails, and dividing arch are dutifully complemented by a pair of white marble fireplaces."

The current homeowner, artist Lucy Lyons, embellished one of the reception room’s west-facing walls with a meticulously hand-painted botanical mural.

The current homeowner, artist Lucy Lyons, embellished one of the reception room’s west-facing walls with a meticulously hand-painted botanical mural.

"A two-story annex—thought to be a later structural addition—hosts Gordon House’s distinctive, triangle-shaped kitchen," says the listing agent. "Designed with fluidity in mind, the kitchen mixes freestanding and built-in cabinetry with colorful, handmade Mexican terra-cotta tiles and hand-finished woods."

"A two-story annex—thought to be a later structural addition—hosts Gordon House’s distinctive, triangle-shaped kitchen," says the listing agent. "Designed with fluidity in mind, the kitchen mixes freestanding and built-in cabinetry with colorful, handmade Mexican terra-cotta tiles and hand-finished woods."

A street-level entrance at the southwest corner of the home was closed up and turned into the kitchen pantry.

A street-level entrance at the southwest corner of the home was closed up and turned into the kitchen pantry.

The original switchback staircase connects the various levels of the home.

The original switchback staircase connects the various levels of the home.

The first and second floors offer double bedrooms and full baths.

The first and second floors offer double bedrooms and full baths.

"The first floor’s bedrooms are particularly noteworthy, as they are divided with an original set of large, arched double doors," says the listing agent. 

"The first floor’s bedrooms are particularly noteworthy, as they are divided with an original set of large, arched double doors," says the listing agent. 

The rich color palette extends throughout the home into one of the bathrooms, where red- and green-painted walls complement patterned mosaics that also incorporate yellow and blue accents mirrored in the tile floors and clawfoot tub.

The rich color palette extends throughout the home into one of the bathrooms, where red- and green-painted walls complement patterned mosaics that also incorporate yellow and blue accents mirrored in the tile floors and clawfoot tub.

The top story includes a bathroom and kitchen that makes the floor "self-contained and ideal for guests," says the listing agent. On this level, "two bedrooms follow the pitch of the building’s gull-wing roof, which would have been originally constructed with ship beams sourced from nearby Chatham Dockyard," the agent continues.

The top story includes a bathroom and kitchen that makes the floor "self-contained and ideal for guests," says the listing agent. On this level, "two bedrooms follow the pitch of the building’s gull-wing roof, which would have been originally constructed with ship beams sourced from nearby Chatham Dockyard," the agent continues.

The 18th-century building also includes a below-grade level that is currently being used as an artist’s studio and gallery space.

The 18th-century building also includes a below-grade level that is currently being used as an artist’s studio and gallery space.

Dwell Staff
Questions? Pitches? Email edit@dwell.com

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