61 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells
Sustainably furnished show home opens at development of three newly converted apartments in central Tunbridge Wells. A sustainably furnished show home has opened at a development of three new apartments within an historic building in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. 61 Calverley Road is a three-storey, terraced Grade II listed building dating back to approximately 1835, formed from part of the former detached properties believed to have been designed by the renowned Decimus Burton. The properties were later extended to form a row of terraced properties, some of which were converted into shops.
The property was occupied by Laura Ashley from the 1980s up until 2020. It has now been restored to its former glory with the ground floor remaining commercial and the upper floors being transformed into three apartments by local developers Beau Property. The characterful apartments, all with underfloor heating and two with refurbished timber sash windows, are all styled differently.
Beau Property is a local development company, founded by husband and wife team Chris and Georgina Hammond, who has recently been selected as one of just seven leading women in property development to lead the ‘I am a Housebuilder’ campaign. The campaign seeks to raise the profile of women in the industry, attract more women to apply for roles and create a mentoring network to help women into senior roles.
The firm has a sister home staging company and for 61 Calverley Road, they decided to create a completely sustainably sourced show home, thought to be the first of its kind. The project was inspired by Chris’s father’s collection of antique and unique furniture which was left when he passed away last year. The thought of clearing the furniture away was heart-wrenching and the couple felt there must be a way to reuse it.
Working with Ellen Leedham, interior design director at Beau Property, much of the furniture was upcycled, reupholstered and repurposed to create the show home at 61 Calverley Road, alongside pieces from Ardingly Antiques Fair, Faversham Antiques Market, eBay, Gumtree, Vinted, Etsy and local charity shops. In addition, they have used wallpapers and lampshades which were surplus stock. There is even a nod to the building’s former use as a Laura Ashley shop, with prints and fabrics subtly incorporated.
Ellen says: “My first site visit provided some inspiration for the design – there were remnants of the old Laura Ashley wallpaper still on the wall that I managed to find online and then source from eBay to use in the wallpaper feature panel in the living room. Vintage Laura Ashley fabrics have been used for the headboards to tie in with the history of the building too.
“There was a really striking blue/teal colour on the wall in the communal area that I matched and brought through as the feature paint in the living and dining area. The project is very much based on bold colours and playful patterns, which works really well in an eclectic scheme against the older feeling of the furniture.
“Sustainability in design has always been important but never more so than now. It has not been the easiest of processes but it has been a really exciting journey coming up with the concept and sourcing it all, which has given a really different feel to the project .”
Mike Churchill of Savills Tunbridge Wells says: “Beau Property have crafted three truly unique apartments, restoring this historic building to its former glory. The apartments are in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, just a short walk away from the fantastic independent restaurants, bars and cafes.
“We are looking forward to showing prospective buyers around the show home which has a really unique and different feel to it.”
Prices are from £415,000 and there is an open day taking place on May 4 by appointment.
