PORTFOLIO
THE STATION MASTER'S HOUSE
Where heritage meets a working steam railway, and every window tells a story
Some projects ask you to picture what a space might become. Others arrive with a history so rich that the real job is simply to honour it. The former Station Master's House at Carrog was firmly the latter, and we wouldn't have had it any other way.
Built in 1865 and sitting right on the platform of the working Llangollen and Corwen Heritage Railway, this handsome stone house has spent more than a century and a half earning its character. Our brief was a delicate balancing act: bring it up to an exemplary modern standard while protecting all the original features that make it so special. On the right sort of day, guests can still watch a steam engine pull in just beyond the window, so the interiors had to feel every bit as memorable as that view from the platform.
A home that earns a second glance in every room
Downstairs, we wanted warmth and personality rather than anything that felt freshly off the shelf. The kitchen takes its cue from the house itself, with soft sage shaker cabinetry, solid oak worktops and a characterful range cooker grounded by a warm terracotta-tiled floor. It's a working country kitchen with a sense of humour, right down to the vintage enamel signage.
Next door, the dining room is where we let things get a little bolder. A striking feature wallpaper, all interlocking walking canes against a deep, inky backdrop, turns a simple supper into something rather more theatrical, balanced beautifully by a chunky timber table and industrial pendant lighting.
The main living room looks straight out onto the platform and is built entirely around relaxing, with a generous L-shaped settee, a trio of valley-inspired prints and an original ceiling rose we were thrilled to keep. For families, we created a second, quieter space too: The Snug. Dressed in a soft, dusky rose with handsome bespoke alcove joinery, an open fire and an elegant arched mirror, it's the kind of room you sink into and forget the time.
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Bedrooms that make the most of the view
Upstairs, three spacious bedrooms each tell their own story. The standout overlooks the platform through a beautiful bay window, framing the railway and the Dee Valley stretching away to the east; layered linens, botanical artwork and pleated lampshades give it a collected, lived-in luxury. Across the landing, the remaining rooms pair restful, neutral palettes with characterful lighting and views out across the fields and grazing sheep, while a separate bathroom and a smart, pared-back shower room keep everything wonderfully practical.
The crowning touch sits up top: a rooftop balcony made for watching the sun set over the valley, glass of something in hand.
Old bones, exemplary finish
This was full-service design at its most rewarding. From the joinery and the wallpaper to the soft furnishings, lighting and the final styled detail, we managed the whole journey, always with one eye on the building's heritage and the other on how it would actually be lived in. The result is a home that feels authentic to 1865 and entirely fit for today.
Thinking about breathing new life into a property with a story of its own? We'd love to help you write the next chapter. Get in touch below to start the conversation.
