Cham-bettes Christmas Home Tour 2025: The Henry Harmer Home

Built around 1895 in the Gothic Revival style, the Harmer House is noted for its steep gherkin-style roof, tall windows, and the distinctive inverted comma–shaped window heads seen on several Harmer-built homes in Southampton. Like many Gothic cottages of the time, its 11⁄2-storey form provided two usable levels while keeping the property in a lower tax bracket.

Henry Harmer Jr. was a well-known builder and businessman in Southampton. He constructed the Harmer Building at 298 High Street, which housed the family’s furniture store (where Eagleson’s Furniture store was located). Henry also crafted coffins and served as the town’s undertaker. Other Harmer houses can still be seen at 30 Grosvenor Street South, 48 Albert Street South, and along Victoria Street.

Peter’s family had a cottage in Southampton, and his parents retired here. “We had admired the old homes along Grosvenor Street, so when we decided to find a summer home, we knew exactly where we wanted to look.

What we love most about the house are the large primary rooms, unusually spacious for its age, and the abundance of natural light streaming through the tall windows, keeping the interior bright and welcoming. The maple staircase remains a beautiful original feature, and the deep property provides lots of opportunity for gardening, a hobby we both enjoy.

For us, the Harmer House is not only part of Southampton’s history, but also a cozy, comfortable home where we love to spend time with family and friends.”

Decorator:  Cham-bette Team

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