Designed by an interior designer from London Emma Ainscoughthis four-story Victorian mansion feels deeply lived-in, full of warmth, personality and the kind of thoughtful details that only reveal themselves over time.
Initially, Emma Ainscough’s role extended to a complete transformation of the property, initially to help with furniture, finishes and decoration. Over several years, the project evolved into a complete renovation, including an extension to the lower ground, a complete remodeling of the layout, new architectural finishes and carefully curated furnishings.
The result is a home that respects its Victorian character while embracing a much more relaxed and contemporary lifestyle.
A Victorian home designed for modern living
Victorian mansions often come with beautifully proportioned but challenging layouts. Here, the biggest change happened below ground.
The lower ground floor was completely opened up, creating a bright open-plan kitchendining and living area that is naturally connected to the garden. Instead of feeling closed in, the new layout allows daylight to flow through the house, making even the darkest corners feel inviting.
The extension provides space for a generous refectorycreating a home that is clearly designed with entertaining friends and family in mind rather than just looking pretty.
It’s the kind of renovation that many Victorian homeowners dream of – keeping the history upstairs while making everyday life downstairs that much easier.
A boot room that makes an unforgettable first impression
One of the most charming areas of the house is surprisingly practical.
Just outside the entrance is a dedicated boot room, proving that functional rooms deserve the same personality as formal living spaces.
Emma Ainscough chose the playful Beata Heuman Nettle wallpaper, combining it with bright colors and a classic checkerboard floor. The combination is cheerful without losing the hardworking character that a boot room needs.
It’s a reminder that utility spaces don’t have to fade into the background. Sometimes it’s the rooms that guests remember the most.
Rich colors that feel warm rather than heavy
Color plays a huge role throughout the home.
Instead of relying on soft neutrals, the interiors embrace rich earth tones that instantly make any room feel cozy. Deep colors wrap the walls while carefully placed splashes of red appear throughout the lower ground floor, creating visual rhythm without overwhelming the spaces.
The palette feels confident but never theatrical.
This layered approach is one reason the house feels so timeless. Rather than following a particular trend, colors work together to create an atmosphere.
Keeping the Victorian character without feeling traditional
Many Victorian renovations lean heavily in one direction.
Some become state-of-the-art white boxes.
Others retain every original detail but struggle to function as modern homes.
Emma Ainscough found a balance between the two.
Original architectural features add character, while new finishes, custom window frames, lighting and furniture introduce a quieter, more relaxed elegance. Nothing looks overly precious, yet every room feels carefully thought out.
The house celebrates its history without being trapped by it.
Texture is everywhere
Perhaps the most striking element isn’t the color at all — it’s the layering.
Natural wood, painted cabinets, soft upholstery, patterned wallpaper, stone surfaces, vintage-inspired details and carefully selected fabrics work together to create depth. Rather than relying on statement pieces, interiors build interest gradually.
It is this wealth of materials that gives the house its welcoming quality.
The rooms invite you to stay and not just admire them.
A home that reflects the people who live there
The most successful celebrity homes rarely feel like show homes.
This one certainly doesn’t.
Despite the beautiful finishes and carefully curated interiors, Michelle Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge’s home feels intimate, comfortable and truly personal. Every decision—from the playful wallpaper in the boot room to the bold color palette downstairs—suggests a home designed around everyday life, not appearances.
Emma Ainscough has created something increasingly rare: a Victorian renovation that feels elegant without becoming formal, colorful without being overwhelming, and luxurious without ever feeling out of touch.
It’s exactly the kind of home that reminds us that good design isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating spaces that become even more beautiful as life unfolds within them.
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