What emerged is not a remodel in the conventional sense but a slow, respectful conversation with the past. Helgerson’s philosophy is rooted in permanence: to create interiors so right for their house that they need never be undone. Each phase of the work has been driven by this conviction, resulting in rooms that feel at once timeless and deeply individual. “She’s a total genius at making remodels seem historic,” James reflects.

The bathrooms capture this spirit perfectly; once tired and lacklustre, they now celebrate Victorian exuberance. Intricate floor mosaics from Subway Ceramics set the stage, their bold geometry offset by the restrained, sculptural presence of Drummonds’ ceramic sinks. “The Windermere Vanity is a more visually heavy sink and so works well with the bolder pattern, whereas the Buttermere is lighter and so suits the paler design,” Helgerson notes, describing the careful play of weight and line. William Morris wallpapers climb the walls, their motifs unfurling in soft counterpoint to the crisp fittings, while antique furniture adds a note of patina and permanence. The dialogue between intricacy and restraint animates these intimate spaces, transforming daily rituals into moments of quiet theatre.

What delights Helgerson most is the tension between parts: the patterned floors against the calm simplicity of the fixtures, the permanence of stone and tile against the liveliness of wallpaper and light. “I love the way the intricate floor patterns contrast against the simple lines of the vanities,” she says. “You make beautiful plumbing fixtures – the Windermere is my very favourite.”