The hub of the house is the crisp, clean lined, contemporary kitchen with lots of storage, worktop space and equipment. Two central island units form focal points for this area and with the backdrop of a large, well stocked, tropical aquarium this is the perfect space to spend much of the day. An area defined by arches between here and the kitchen allows for dining and to the western side of the kitchen is a casual sitting area. “Floor to ceiling” windows ensure interesting aspects and good natural light. Steps lead up to a comfortable, south west facing family room with similarly tall windows but in this case looking out towards the garden and Richmond Park beyond which rises away from the boundary wall of the garden. Practical joinery provides efficient storage function. Again the volume in here and most of the principle rooms is particularly compelling and exudes a feeling of considerable space.

An elevated, glass walled reception room with oak floor overlooks the most spectacular Great Hall. There is a strong interaction between these two areas. The Great Hall is magnificent with vast brick columns and arches and some intricate brickwork frames the recently installed windows. Measuring some 250 square metres (2,700 square feet) alone this exceptional space could be utilised even as a games room – he owners have erected a badminton net on occasion so a game of badminton is well within the room’s capability!

An octagonal library with a domed, wood panelled ceiling features an abundance of stone, red brick and wood evoking all the characteristics of All Saints House ecclesiastical origins.

Returning to the southern end of the property and accessible from the reception hall, are steps leading down to the indoor pool. A jacuzzi/hot tub, steam room/shower and changing area complement the pool room where a vaulted ceiling and an extraordinarily impressive marble carving on the rear wall are notable.

Upper floors

The family bedrooms include an unusual and striking master bedroom with a wood panelled, domed ceiling. From here there is a staircase to a generous barrel-vaulted bathroom, shower area and dressing room all finished in high quality stone and wood. Two children’s bedroom suites, both with galleries overlooking The Great Hall, a further bedroom and shower room and a laundry occupy the rest of the upper floor space.

At the northern end of All Saints House the accommodation is particularly flexible including a series of symmetrical rooms above one another within the Church Tower. On the ground floor there is a study and then above this a bedroom and also a bathroom across a small landing. Going further up there are two further rooms and a viewing gallery from which there are far-reaching views over Petersham towards Richmond and Richmond Park. In the centre section of this part of the house there is a guest bedroom and bathroom. This bedroom features a magnificent stained glass window through which light passes to give a wonderful spectrum of coloured light. There is a loft hatch from the guest bedroom giving access to a further room which, with a little adaptation, could provide further bedroom accommodation. Further halls and rooms for storage or other uses make up the rest of ground floor here.

Outside

The approach to the house is through automated gates and achieved along a paved path with extensive planting to both sides many of which are tropical species. There is also a large stone terrace from where one can enjoy late afternoon and evening sunshine in the warmer months. Beyond the walkway to the front door of the house is an extensive lawned garden with a delightful tree house and a substantial, historic boundary wall that borders Richmond Park. Established trees and plants provide privacy from the neighbouring houses although with no other houses behind this wall a degree of openness optimises the benefits of this exceptional location.

To the eastern boundary a large gravelled driveway leads to a substantial garage building which can accommodate two cars. The driveway would enable parking for further cars.
Accommodation

Reception hall, Great Hall, sitting room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, dining area, library, study. Master suite with bathroom and dressing area, 5 further bedroom suites, 2 additional bedrooms, two additional bathrooms. Indoor pool, jacuzzi and steam room, numerous store rooms, Church Tower viewing gallery. Extensive grounds, terraces and a lawned garden, garage building and additional driveway parking.
Situation

All Saints House is located in historic Petersham a picturesque hamlet between Richmond and Kingston upon Thames. Richmond Park, with 2500 acres of parkland, is moments from the house and ideal for walking, cycling, and riding.

Local sporting amenities include Polo at Ham Polo Ground, rowing, cruising and sailing on the River Thames. Well regarded golf courses include Richmond Golf Club, within a few minutes walk, Royal Mid Surrey and public courses in Richmond Park. There is also racing at Sandown, Kempton, Ascot and Windsor.

Following its construction in 1885, the Mowbraytown Presbyterian Church became a focus point for the East Brisbane community, and a key feature of the streetscape. The church interior, including timber joinery, leadlight windows, the organ, memorial boards and inscriptions reflect the aesthetic values of the congregation and the community at the time, and today form a unique and cohesive image of the era.

The client was drawn to the historical significance of the building, and the brief was to provide an office environment that was functional and contemporary, yet respectful to the existing structure. The client was drawn by the opportunity for adaptive re-use within the city fringe suburb, simultaneously preserving the cultural value of the existing structure, while also making it relevant and meaningful to the community today.

Throughout the re-development, the majority of the existing structure was left untouched so as to preserve the significance of the building within the streetscape. External finishes and applied cladding that were added to the structure following its initial construction were stripped back to expose the original 1885 weatherboard. The dominance of the bell tower to the streetscape was revived by restoring it to its original colour.

The internal redesign of the space was governed by the preservation of the original structure, while also sustaining the requirements of a working office. The church nave was repurposed as an open plan office, featuring the original intricate timber work and stained glass fittings. A steel and glass mezzanine structure was constructed, which both emphasizes and utilizes the volume of open space within the church. Half height glass walls draw attention to the original timber structure within this space, which houses a new boardroom and individual offices.

The organ was a key component of the building during its time as a working church so the instrument has been left untouched and now sits centrally as a feature of the office space. In addition, the roof trusses form a significant part of the original church both aesthetically and functionally. The use of internal up-lighting and individual task lights left the ceiling space untouched, and allows the trusses to remain a focus within the structure.

A private elevator landing leads to a dramatic double height living and dining room. A massive skylight runs the width of this room. A marble fireplace, walls paneled in quarter sawn limed oak, wenge floors and exposed steel and stone create an ambience that is both monumental and warm.

The top of the line kitchen flows seamlessly from the living room and features Bulthaup cabinetry, double ovens, Subzero refrigerator and a 400 bottle walk in wine cellar.The library is luxurious and welcoming, with walls lined in exotic makore paneling, a fireplace and a gorgeous bar. Two bedrooms, each with en-suite bath, a laundry room and powder room complete this floor. A sky-lit staircase leads to a family room which overlooks the living room below.

A world apart, the master bedroom has its own dressing room, sitting room and private, south facing terrace. The master bath, with an intricate mosaic marble floor features radiant heating, a double steam shower, double sinks and tub.The third level provides access to a fully landscaped private roof top terrace, with a full kitchen. Additional features, too numerous to include here, make this home the ultimate in luxury, comfort and convenience.

 

The redbrick you can see is the original house, and the grey part behind is all new!

Dark ceilings, lots of marble, very white, very European feel.

And a WOW garage! curtains and all…

Beautiful exterior choices,  successfully mixing old with new.

Why, King Leonidas of Sparta, who else? The place starts to make a little more sense when one considers that its owner is the actor Gerard Butler, and Gerard Butler is known for channeling such larger-than-life figures as the Spartan king, Attila the Hun, Dracula, the Phantom of the Opera and Beowulf. “I wanted something elegant and gorgeous and at the same time rather masculine and raw,” the actor declares, his Glasgow burr somehow enhancing the description. “I guess I would describe the apartment as bohemian old-world rustic château with a taste of baroque.”

Actor Gerard Butler worked with architect Alexander Gorlin and film designer Elvis Restaino on his 3,300-square-foot loft in Manhattan. “We recreated things that came into Gerryâ€s life—from his travels in Europe or even from an old coffee shop in New York,” Restaino says.

I wanted something elegant and gorgeous and at the same time rather masculine and raw,

explains the 40-year-old Scotsman. “I guess I would describe the apartment as bohemian old-world rustic chateau with a taste of baroque.”

While Butler clearly had a vision for the space, he turned to architect Alexander Gorlin and film designer Elvis Restaino to bring it to life. Says Restaino, “We re-created things that came into Gerry’s life — from his travels in Europe or even from an old coffee shop in New York.”

Renovating the loft took much more time than Gerard anticipated. “I knew it was going to take a lot of work to turn the loft into a place where I actually wanted to live,” he shares. “But I didn’t realize it would be four years before I spent the night!”

Now that the “Bounty Hunter” star has a place to sleep, he’s planning on making more renovations to his abode, which sits on the sixth and seventh floors of a converted manufacturing warehouse in the trendy NYC neighborhood of Chelsea. Yes, his loft has two floors — and an adjoining roof terrace! Sounds like the perfect place for the hunky actor to entertain the ladies … then again, maybe not.

“More than anything, I use my apartment as somewhere to retreat and spend time on my own,” shares Butler.

New York is such a frenetic, crazy city, so I love to use the place for just some peace and quiet.

Today’s estate is a London stunner, a penthouse apartment with a private pool. The apartment opens dramatically with a large open area that has a double height vaulted ceiling and leads out to a terrace with a stunning view. A long separate dining room has built in aquarium and is next to the eat-in kitchen. Take the spiral staircase to the next floor and you’ll find a small pillowed media room leading to a gallery that has access to the swimming pool. There is a retractable roof above the pool.

The home is listed at 10,950,000 pounds or around $17.4 million.