Catesby’s : the story of an English merchant’s house

 

‘Catesby’s’ is the name of an interior design store sheltered in a Georgian house at Catesby Court on the North Norfolk coast in the UK.

Because the Georgian style is my favorite English architectural and interior design style, the story about this house caught my interest!

So before I tell you more about the housed in interior design store, I need to tell you something more about this gorgeous residence.

Parts of the house date back to the 16th century, but it owes its current appearance to the 17th century (when Wells-next-the-Sea, in the county of Norfolk had a thriving port trading with the Hanseatic League of countries), when a wealthy merchant transformed it into the house we see today.  He was clearly inspired by European architecture, installing tall Belgian-style windows that flood the rooms with light.

The façade of the house has Belgian-style windows as you can see on a lot of old houses walking down the streets in Bruges or Antwerp.

The courtyard of the house.

And guess what caught my job-related interest?!

Of course, the panelling! Almost every room of the house has its original Georgian panelling!

And all of this brought us to the current destination of this beautiful house!

Catesby’s is a collection of beautiful, useful and original items for the home and garden. Sourced from around the world, discoveries include elegant tableware, timeless furnishings, rare decorative objects and a charming range of everyday necessities.

Catesby’s was established in 2011 by Neil Honor and Jonathon Pegg.

Following a successful career in public relations, Neil took the plunge and set up a shop selling everything he loved, and nothing he didn’t, from panelled rooms in Catesby Court, their Georgian home.

Inspired by his time spent living and working in Paris, he drew upon the muted colours and elegant forms of classic French design and architecture to create a distinctive look that is at once timeless and of the moment.

Jonathon, meanwhile, took charge of The Courtyard, serving deliciously traditional refreshments throughout the summer, in an elegant Mediterranean setting. 

Together, they work tirelessly to track down the beautiful, the useful and the original, wherever it might be found.

 

A house with original panelled rooms, a dreamy setting for all of the Catesby’s vintage and antique pieces.

Muted colours and soft tones.

 

Beautiful Georgian panelling with arched doorway.

 

Another one of the many panelled rooms in the house.

 

Notice the patina of the ancient boarded floor.

 

All the original elements of the house are preserved!

 

Aren’t the old floor tiles just incredible beautiful!

 

Hallway with checkerboard floor tiles.

 

Panelled staircase in neutral tones.

 

Again a gorgeous panelled room.

 

How charming is this well-worn staircase!!!

 

Awesome! What else can I say?!

 

Notice that built-in cabinet here!

 

One of the charming English bedrooms.

 

Attic bedroom.

 

Catesby’s is a collection of beautiful, useful and original items for the home and garden, including elegant tableware, timeless furnishings, rare decorative objects and a charming range of everyday necessities.

The Catesby’s shop opened in April 2011.

I posted some pictures of the room – that once was a dusty, dark room! - now turned on to the beautiful Catesby’s shop.

Neil says : ‘We have been hugely influenced by the Belgian style and like to mix English, Belgian and French influences to create a timeless look.’

Neutral tones and natural materials abound, making it easy to choose pieces that work well together, and will instantly feel at home in any setting.

From all over Europe Neil sourced a collection of beautiful, usefull and original items for the home and garden.

The whole past year Neil and Jonathan spent time meeting and listening to their customers. They learned about what their clients loved and finally they felt ready to launch the Catesby’s online store.

The Catesby’s online store opened June 3rd, only 3 weeks ago !

Alongside the full range of items offered in the online store, there’s an ever-changing selection of vintage and antique pieces, gathered on travels throughout Europe and beyond.

And wherever you live, Catesby’s is offering you the possibility to order your favorite item online.

Beautiful setting of some of the offered items,to discover at the Catesby’s online shop. If you love the obelisk table lamp, click here, if you love the African head, click here.

 

Beautiful China tableware (here) on a stylish artist folding table (here).

 

To know more about the industrial chair, click here.

 

One of my favorite items, this classic fob watch mirror (here).

 

Garden items at the courtyard.

 

To discover the full range of items of Catesby’s online shop , click HERE.

 

The courtyard, that was once an overgrown and unloved yard, is now become the perfect place to relax and enjoy a reviving morning coffee, delicious light lunch or sumptuous afternoon tea.

From May until October, Jonathan is serving deliciously traditional refreshments at The Tea Garden.

I'm a big fan of people as Neil and Jonathan, who took up the challenge to restore a house with so much respect for the past and who made a huge effort to realize their dream of sheltering an interior design store in a gorgeous historical residence.

Congratulations to Neil and Jonathan! They succeeded in continuing the work of the former owner, and made of this ancient merchant’s house an original trading place.

I wish them both lots of success with the Catesby’s shop and online store! On my next trip to the UK, I would love to bring them a visit.

 

http://www.catesbys.co.uk

Staithe Street (opposite The Maltings),
Wells-next-the-Sea,
Norfolk
NR23 1AQ

UK

 

xx

Greet

 

All images posted with permission of Neil Honor and Jonathan Pegg, owners of Catesby’s.