Explore how Jack Simpson of Nomad Development transformed a London townhouse into his family's sanctuary, blending elements of classical architecture with contemporary elegance
Nestled in the Chelsea district of Southwestern London, the timeless elegance of a Georgian facade has turned over a new leaf. Under the thoughtful and uncompromising eye of Jack Simpson, founder of Nomad, this London townhouse has successfully blended historic preservation with contemporary flair.
Built in the 1850s, the Georgian home underwent decades of rental tenancy and fell into considerable disrepair. Still, the homeowners were keen to coax out the home’s original character, infusing a classical aesthetic with bolder, more colourful interior details.
Under Simpson's development, the goal became clear: to blend two distinct design philosophies whilst creating a home built for longevity and practicality. Every accent piece would reflect his family's story to create a residence that feels undeniably their own.
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Above The entryway of a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England
The front door opens to an elegant hallway that immediately establishes the home’s unique blend of sophistication and playfulness. Marble chequerboard flooring, which took inspiration from the lift interiors of Venice’s Cipriani Hotel, creates an eye-catching pattern beneath walls lined with Farrow & Ball’s Stirabout papering. Lining the wall is a bespoke mirror by Patrick Ireland, whilst a Pierre Jeanneret bench provides a sculptural lounging area.

Above The living room in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England

Above The stairway in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England
Opposite the hallway sits the formal sitting room, centred around a beautiful travertine table sourced from My Habitat Design. The space achieves refined eclecticism through careful curation with the Matteo sofas from RH, whilst a nineteenth-century Spanish enfilade cabinet from Nick Jones Antiques injects some patinated gravitas into the space. Stools upholstered in Dedar’s Fauve Tiger Mountain reflect exotic patterns around the travertine table, illuminated from above by a George Spetellier lamp.
Grounding the room is the fireplace, above which stands a painting by Chicago-based artist Eric Stefanski. The contemporary energy of the piece is balanced by a work from Arran Rahimian, whose warm cream tones complement both the sculptural table and the surrounding walls. A rug from 16ten rugs grounds the arrangement, preventing the disparate elements from feeling scattered.
Stepping briefly downstairs, the home’s first bold chromatic gesture announces itself through a bathroom clad in Farrow & Ball’s Picture Gallery Red. This bold, fiery hue hovers between terracotta and crimson, its grandeur complemented by gold-toned fixtures and mirrors infusing the powder room with drama.
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Above The kitchen in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England

Above The dining nook in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England

Above The pantry in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England
The kitchen occupies the lower level, benefiting from an open layout that maintains a light atmosphere throughout the home. An open-door pantry lined with glossy Zellige tiles creates a functional yet charming nook for staples and larger items, that dynamic Moroccan tile bringing tactile variation to an otherwise utilitarian space. Bespoke bar stools by Nomad, covered in Jason D’Souza’s Puccini fabric, provide comfortable seating for family and friends, whilst a Brazilian rattan side table discovered at a Parisian flea market adds organic warmth over a good meal.
Adjacent to the kitchen, a dining nook is anchored on a table from Dusty Deco. Nearby stand 101 vintage chairs, which were created in the 1960s by Danish designer Johannes Andersen and re-upholstered in Rose Uniacke fabric. Above the charming image hangs a pair of playful vegetable-themed paintings by David Shrigley, both of which add a whimsical touch to any sun-drenched breakfast with family. The dining nook also features one of the couple’s most prized possessions, framed Air France posters once owned by Freddie Mercury.

Above The cosy lounge area in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England
A section of previously unused lower ground floor has been transformed into a cosy corner lounge with RH’s Cloud sofa, paired with an ottoman upholstered in a soothing and aptly-named Cocoon fabric by Metaphores. Woodwork painted in Paint & Paper Library’s Thames Mud creates a warm, grounding backdrop for the space to unfold, ensuring that the family has a sanctuary to curl up in during quiet evenings.
Natural light is a primary feature of the main bedroom, coated in a warm, earthy tone and paired with breathable fabrics like linen curtains and a velvet headboard in sumptuous nutmeg and cinnamon tones. In contrast, the ensuite introduces a decidedly more dramatic palette. Italian Calacatta Viola marble clads the entire space, complemented by brass hardware and a vanity unit by Corston. Balancing a glamorous yet understated finish, the ensuite bathroom transforms daily moments into indulgent rituals befitting such a regal home.
Another notable space in the London home is the dressing room, where Gucci wallpaper coats the ceiling in shades of theatrical pink. The space is imbued with warmth through its warm-toned textiles and rosy pink cabinet.
The second bedroom takes a different chromatic approach entirely. Here, calming shades of white and powder pink add a feminine touch to the space. The nearby guest bedroom echoes the entrance hall with red-and-white chequered carpet, ensuring a sense of continuity throughout the home. Similar to the secondary bedroom, the canopy bed creates a playful and romantic focal point. A nearby armchair from Audo Copenhagen provides a reading corner for more contemplative guests, while a chest of drawers from Soho Home in Mappa Burl adds a touch of exquisite materiality to the space. To complete the arrangement, a tall rattan table light adds unexpected flair to the room.

Above The terrace dining area of a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England

Above The study in a Georgian townhouse renovated by Jack Simpson in London, England
For Simpson, it was integral to maintain the home’s connection with the landscape. The home study overlooks the greenery, making the emerald-toned wallpaper from Farrow & Ball a seamless choice. Nearby, the terraced garden maintains the London home’s material sophistication. Here, a handcrafted table topped with Moroccan tiles sits alongside sage-green cushions and Neptune chairs. Underfoot, reclaimed limestone tiles add rustic charm to the space, evoking images of a sun-soaked summer abroad.
Altogether, the London home stands as a collaborative space between the owners, despite their different aesthetic inclinations. With Jack Simpson at the helm, the home’s classical Georgian foundation is enhanced by her exploratory colour schemes, creating a space that feels both adventurous and carefully considered.
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Credits
Photography: Kensington Leverne
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