Designed by London inside designer Emma Ainscough, this four-storey Victorian townhouse feels deeply lived in, full of heat, persona, and the type of considerate particulars that solely reveal themselves over time.
Initially introduced on to assist with furnishings, finishes, and ornament, Emma Ainscough’s function quickly expanded into a whole transformation of the property. Over a number of years, the venture advanced right into a full renovation, together with a lower-ground extension, a whole reconfiguration of the structure, new architectural finishes, and thoroughly curated furnishings all through.
The result’s a house that respects its Victorian character whereas embracing a much more relaxed and modern way of life.
A Victorian Home Designed for Fashionable Life
Victorian townhouses usually include stunning proportions however difficult layouts. Right here, the most important change occurred beneath floor.
The decrease floor flooring was fully opened up, making a vivid open-plan kitchen, eating, and residing house that connects naturally with the backyard. As an alternative of feeling enclosed, the brand new structure permits daylight to journey by way of the house, making even the darker corners really feel inviting.
The extension gives house for a beneficiant eating space, creating a house that’s clearly designed round entertaining family and friends reasonably than merely wanting stunning.
It’s the kind of renovation many Victorian householders dream about—holding the historical past upstairs whereas making on a regular basis life downstairs far simpler.
A Boot Room That Makes a Memorable First Impression
One of many residence’s most charming areas is surprisingly sensible.
Simply off the doorway corridor sits a devoted boot room, proving that useful rooms deserve simply as a lot persona as formal residing areas.
Emma Ainscough selected Beata Heuman’s playful Nettle wallpaper, pairing it with daring colors and a basic checkerboard flooring. The mixture feels cheerful with out shedding the hardworking character a boot room wants.
It’s a reminder that utility areas don’t should disappear into the background. Typically they’re the rooms visitors keep in mind most.
Wealthy Colors That Really feel Heat Relatively Than Heavy
Color performs an enormous function all through the home.
As an alternative of counting on pale neutrals, the interiors embrace wealthy earthy tones that instantly make each room really feel snug. Deep colors wrap the partitions whereas rigorously positioned accents of crimson seem all through the decrease floor flooring, creating visible rhythm with out overwhelming the areas.
The palette feels assured however by no means theatrical.
This layered method is one cause the home feels so timeless. Relatively than following a specific development, the colors work collectively to create ambiance.
Preserving Victorian Character With out Feeling Conventional
Many Victorian renovations lean closely in a single course.
Some change into ultra-modern white packing containers.
Others protect each authentic element however wrestle to operate as modern properties.
Emma Ainscough discovered a steadiness between each.
Authentic architectural options present character whereas new finishes, bespoke joinery, lighting, and furnishings introduce a quieter, extra relaxed class. Nothing feels overly valuable, but each room seems rigorously thought of.
The home celebrates its historical past with out turning into trapped by it.
Texture Is In all places
Maybe probably the most spectacular aspect isn’t the color in any respect—it’s the layering.
Pure wooden, painted cabinetry, comfortable upholstery, patterned wallpaper, stone surfaces, vintage-inspired particulars, and thoroughly chosen textiles all work collectively to create depth. Relatively than counting on assertion items, the interiors construct curiosity step by step.
It’s this richness of fabric that offers the house its welcoming high quality.
The rooms invite you to remain reasonably than merely admire them.
A Dwelling That Displays the Folks Who Reside There
Probably the most profitable superstar properties hardly ever really feel like present homes.
This one definitely doesn’t.
Regardless of its stunning finishes and thoroughly curated interiors, Michelle Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge’s residence feels intimate, snug, and genuinely private. Each determination—from the playful wallpaper within the boot room to the daring color palette downstairs—suggests a home designed round on a regular basis life reasonably than appearances.
Emma Ainscough has created one thing more and more uncommon: a Victorian renovation that feels elegant with out turning into formal, vibrant with out being overwhelming, and splendid with out ever feeling untouchable.
It’s precisely the type of residence that reminds us good design isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating areas that change into much more stunning as life unfolds inside them.
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