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Nick Leith-Smith has completed a sensitive and sophisticated restoration of St James’s Townhouse, a Grade II listed Georgian property in one of London’s most historic districts. Dating back to 1685, the building has undergone an ambitious transformation that blends heritage craftsmanship with contemporary living and sustainable innovation, all while preserving its architectural soul.

The brief for Nick Leith-Smith was to breathe new life into the townhouse, returning it to functional use as a combined residence and professional workspace fit for modern needs. With a clear respect for the original Georgian architecture, the design involved stripping away unsympathetic alterations and reinstating authentic period features such as original mouldings, fireplaces, and intricate joinery.

Nick Leith-Smith approached the interiors with a refined material palette, prioritising oak, limestone, bronze, and linen. These natural, tactile elements were combined with a warm and restrained colour scheme, enhancing the craftsmanship and timeless quality at the core of the project. The careful integration of modern mechanical, electrical, and heating systems within bespoke joinery ensured that the aesthetic remained clean and visually uncluttered.

A key success of the project is its flexibility. The layout offers seamless transitions between domestic living and professional use, creating a “home away from home” that suits both business meetings and personal retreat. Sustainability was also a major focus, with thermal performance improvements and high efficiency systems significantly lowering the operational footprint.

Working closely with artisans and conservation specialists, Nick Leith-Smith crafted a layered narrative of restoration and innovation. Every detail, from the waxed oak panels to the hidden pipework, was executed with precision to celebrate the past while embracing the needs of 21st century life. The result is a home that is at once elegant, functional, and deeply respectful of its legacy.