A Colorful Design-Led Georgian House in the Heart of Henley-on-Thames

Tucked away in the historic heart of Henley-on-Thames, Denmark House is a remarkable Grade II-listed townhouse that effortlessly marries heritage architecture with bold, contemporary design.

This four-bedroom property, spanning over 4,290 square feet, has been masterfully reimagined by interior designer Joanne Burgess of The Curious House, transforming it into one of the area’s most captivating private homes.

Steeped in history and style, the name Denmark House is thought to reference a fleeting visit from a Danish king, but its true legacy lies in its richly layered past, as a girls’ finishing school, an architect’s studio, and a bed & breakfast, before being thoughtfully restored into the vibrant family home it is today.

Burgess approached the renovation with a designer’s eye and a deep respect for the home’s Georgian roots. Wide floorboards were revived with geometric paintwork, while original panelling and sash windows were carefully restored.

At the heart of the home is the contemporary kitchen wing, designed for indoor-outdoor living. Terrazzo tiles from Mosaic Factory anchor the space, while custom bamboo cabinetry and D-Tile basins add a mid-century, LA-inspired vibe.

The moveable kitchen island, in the center of the space, is crafted in Tangier from black terrazzo and steel.

Expansive glass aluminium Minima doors open seamlessly onto the garden, blurring the boundary between indoors and out.

From the kitchen, you can access a small powder room and the utility room.

The same terrazzo floor tiles continue into the utility room which also features the same tiled sink.

Because the house is a blend of Georgian and modern architecture, there are two staircases leading to the upper floors. This small hall with a window seat and wooden floorboards features ‘The Enchanted Woodland’ wallpaper by Mind the Gap.

The ground floor also features a cozy tv room with hand-painted striped walls and an old sofa upholstered in a vibrant pattern.

The entrance hall flows into a sunlit gallery space, with walls painted in a bold pairing of Edward Bulmer ‘Jonquil’ and Farrow & Ball ‘Yeabridge’. Oversized beech plywood panels laid diagonally provide a fresh twist on traditional parquet flooring.

A sweeping curved staircase connects the levels of the Georgian house.

The first floor is home to a grand master suite, a sitting room, a library room, and a home office.

The principal suite spans three beautifully considered rooms. The main bedroom features green geometric wall panels and a terracotta-tiled fireplace, leading into a walk-through dressing room with beech ply wardrobes.

The en-suite bathroom features an original Delft-tiled fireplace, dating back to the 18th century, that stands beside a green Rockwell bath from Water Monopoly. A walk-in shower is finished with encaustic Otto tiles, and the striped floorboards are painted in mustard and white.

The en-suite features a separate powder room with a pink sink and toilet, as well as a checkerboard floor.

The home office features a rich color combination of dark blue and ochre.

A library has been created in the open space that you enter from the spiral staircase. The cozy room is painted green and features built-in bookshelves and a charming window seat.

There are three more bedrooms on the top floor. The largest room is separated into two areas with a sleeping quarter in one part and a desk and lounge space in the other half.

There are also three bedrooms on this floor, two of which are en-suite, which are designed in the same style with a shower and checkerboard tiles (one in blue and the other in green).

Outside, the garden channels the spirit of Palm Springs, designed as a serene extension of the living space. Millboard decking flows from the kitchen, surrounded by rusted steel planters that carve out zones for dining, lounging, and entertaining.

At the centre, a saltwater swimming pool offers a luxurious focal point. The landscaping is a thoughtful mix of texture and colour, featuring Indian bean trees, palms, wildflowers, silver birch, and architectural backdrops of flint, brick, and beech cladding.

The house is listed for £3,500,000 at Aucoot.