I had to share another project by Hampshire-based Johnston Parke Interiors – this time a wonderful, serene country house. This 6 bedroom project was a total renovation for the family who bought it and involved a new stair case and vaulted hall ceiling, linking to a cottage which contains a library, cinema and office and making sense of a warren of small dark rooms at the back of the house which we turned into a spacious utility, hallway, boot room and wine store. The clients wanted to start from scratch so other than a few antiques and some art everything was new so we sourced lots of antiques and interesting fabrics to add warmth and ensure it felt like a home from day one.

Because I can’t get enough of quintessential British traditional interiors here is a bit more from Christopher Hodsoll who does it just right.

This Chiswick, London Victorian townhouse was renovated and then sold by Chris Graves of Clarence & Graves. I had to share for 2 reasons: it has a DeVol kitchen and glorious green crittall windows/doors. Among other fabulous things like how many of the original details were maintained during the renovation. I love the light, airiness and playfulness of this home. (Photos: Clarence & Graves and Owen Gale via House & Garden)

Polished and refined, yet casual and livable. This gorgeous 900 sq ft, Greenwich Village apartment with 13 ft ceilings is owned by Gil Shafer of G.P. Shafer Architect. When Gil first purchased and guy-renovated this parlor floor apartment in Greenwich Village over 20 years ago, he conceived every architectural detail as though it were in an original 1840s Greek Revival townhouse. Two stately ionic columns and a custom designed scaglolia mantelpiece define the living room, echoing the Greek Revival moldings, custom-patinated brass hardware, and hand-painted, faux-grained mahogany doors throughout the residence. The latest reimagining of the apartment reflects a nuanced, subtly contemporary aesthetic that fits seamlessly within the traditional, largely-unchanged envelope. Neutral fabrics mixed with antique textiles and a graphic, black and white Iranian flatweave carpet add an unexpected spark to the more refined period details.

This is as about as British as it gets. Christopher Hodsoll has a unique ability to create cosy and comfortable spaces out of grand period rooms. As well as being adept at making a modern interior look as if it had been built up over years by a collector. Using his cabinet-of-curiosities style to juxtapose boldly luxurious antiques alongside more contemporary items to create opulent, yet relaxed living environments, he recognises that interior decorating sometimes means creating an atmosphere rather than a particular look.