How A Traditional London Townhouse Was Re-Imagined

/ 18 August 2025

How A Traditional London Townhouse Was Re-Imagined

When architects MALIN+LYNN were tasked with extending a period property in south-west London, they used a creative approach to exploit every inch of space and give the owners the elegant dream home they wanted, including a gym, wine cellar and beautiful garden. Working alongside interior designer Emma Milne, the result is an impressive home where ‘Downtown Abbey meets Soho House’. Here, architect Chelsie Malin explains the process…

GEORGINA BLASKEY

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The Property

Located on the Peterborough Estate in the heart of Parsons Green in south-west London, this stunning Victorian terrace is one of the ‘Lion Houses’ that date back to the late 19th century. The owners appointed us to design a full internal reconfiguration of the property, alongside a basement excavation and extension, a ground floor side extension and a pod extension to the second floor. We were also asked to design the outdoor spaces, both front and rear, all the lighting, fitted joinery and hard finishes. The family appointed interior designer Emma Milne to decorate their home.

The Brief

Overall, the design draws inspiration from traditional English interiors, reimagined through a modern lens, balancing comfort and character with polish and practicality – where ‘Downton Abbey meets Soho House’ was how we phrased it. By reconfiguring the previously enclosed reception rooms, the ground floor was opened up using internal glazed screens to allow natural light to flow throughout, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The interiors are a harmonious blend of refined comfort and thoughtful detailing. A restrained palette of soft neutrals is paired with moodier crafted cabinetry, vintage-inspired furnishings and curated artwork, bringing warmth and character to each space. Thoughtful architecturally designed elements, such as bespoke joinery, add both functionality and charm, balancing modern living with classic sensibilities.

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ENTRANCE HALLWAY

The transition to the main circulation spaces introduces softness and lightness through crisp joinery, pale oak herringbone flooring and an elegantly curved, continuous handrail detailing on the timber staircase, which was hand-carved on site by a skilled woodworker. Thoughtful sight lines connect spaces from the front of the house all the way to the garden, while preserving intimacy, allowing natural light to thread seamlessly from one room to the next.

Hallway Table Porta Romana
Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate II by Paint & Paper Library
Flooring Verbier by Humphrey Munson

FRONT RECEPTION ROOM

Subtle textures, muted heritage tones and curated artwork by Iwona Kenny and Millie McCallum bring a timeless rhythm to the interiors, underscoring a design approach that favours depth, craftsmanship and calm. A timeless space the family can enjoy for years to come.

Picture Light Pooky
Floor Light Porta Romana
Table and Ceramic Drum OKA
Sofa David Seyfried
Fabric Laidback Linen in Mineral by Nicola Harding
Footstool David Seyfried
Fabric Lerio in Deep Blue Namay Samay
Fender Acres Farm
Fabric Khiva 02 Forest Madeaux
Side Table Julian Chichester
Lamp Matilda Goad
Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate III by Paint & Paper Library

KITCHEN

Every element, from the layered lighting to the tactile textiles and joinery, was chosen to create a home that feels simultaneously grounded and an elevated space that invites quiet moments as much as it does lively gatherings. The pantry is practical but also a real showstopper.

Mirrors and All Cabinetry Including Pantry Humphrey Munson
Lighting Jim Lawrence
Unlacquered Tapware Waterworks
Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate II by Paint & Paper Library
Island Colour Brolly Blue by Humphrey Munson

OPEN PLAN SITTING ROOM/DINING AREA

Still part of the kitchen, the open-plan sitting room and dining area look out to the beautifully landscaped garden.

Artwork Hugo Wilson
Pouffes William Yeoward in Lipari Rose, made by Boucle Design
Sofa David Seyfried
Fabric Brera Lino Dusk Designers Guild
Wall Lights Pooky Clyfford Picture Lights
Cabinets Arcadia Antiques
Footstool Jacan Weave fabric in Campari Guy Goodfellow
Rug Jennifer Manners
Dining Table Humphrey Munson
Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate II by Paint & Paper Library
Pendant Holden Linear Pendant by Porta Romana
Chairs Giorgio Casa
Fabric Tatton Strip Blue Spruce Perennials
Wall Light Jamb

CLOAKROOM

Careful attention was given to moments of quiet luxury throughout the home spaces that elevate the everyday. A rich palette of deep green and soft brass sanitaryware in the cloakroom is balanced by natural stone and ambient lighting.

Sanitaryware The Water Monopoly
Mirror Porta Romana
Wall and Ceiling Colour Panel by Paint & Paper Library

BASEMENT CINEMA ROOM

What was once a small, dark and under used cellar has been transformed into a vibrant and inviting living space. Generous three-metre ceiling heights and strategic excavation allowed for improved proportions, while the new rear staircase brings in welcome natural light from the garden, softening the boundary between inside and out. The calm and cohesive colour palette creates a layered and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for both quiet evenings and family weekends. Bespoke built-ins offer storage and display, while clever zoning, including a built-in banquette and games nook, maximises every inch of floor space without compromising flow.

Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate III by Paint & Paper Library
Joinery LAKI Carpentry
Joinery and Panelling Colour De Nimes by Farrow & Ball
Sofa Lorfords
Fabric Olive Sacking in Indigo Guy Goodfellow
Footstools Sofa.com

BASEMENT GYM

The wellness and Reformer Pilates space are thoughtfully designed to feel calm yet energising, with a restrained material palette and carefully curated lighting. Wall-mounted lighting (by Jamb) integrated with mirrors provides focused illumination for training, while concealed LED strip lighting set within the ceiling cornice adds a gentle, ambient glow, softening the architecture and making the space feel expansive despite being below ground. Pale timber flooring (Verbier by Humphrey Munson), was selected for its warmth and natural texture, offsetting the coolness often associated with home gyms.

Pilates Machine Heartcore
Boxes OKA
Walls and Ceiling Colour Slate V by Paint & Paper Library

BASEMENT UTILITY ROOM

Every functional space within the home was approached with the same design rigour as the main living areas. Beneath the staircase, bespoke joinery by LAKI Carpentry transforms what might otherwise be dead space into elegant, practical, seamlessly integrated and easily accessible storage. The adjacent utility room is calm and efficient in tone, combining durable surfaces with accessible appliances and ample cabinetry to ensure day-to-day tasks remain discreetly behind the scenes.

Ironing Board Garden Trading
Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate III by Paint & Paper Library
Joinery Colour Tartalan by Paint & Paper Library
Floor Tiles Wilton Porcelain by Humphrey Munson

BASEMENT WINE CELLAR

Anchoring the lower level, a glazed display wine cellar built by LAKI Carpentry introduces a moment of quiet theatre. Framed in bespoke joinery and ambiently lit, it offers a refined storage solution.

Cellar Joinery is Oak Veneer, matched to internal finish of Humphrey Munson
Cellar Door Colour Squid Ink by Paint & Paper Library

MAIN BEDROOM SUITE & BATHROOM

The main bedroom and walk-in wardrobe are painted in a muted off-white but the upholstery and soft furnishings elevate the room.

Bedside Lights Soho Home
Bedside Tables HOWE
Headboard Lerio in Wakama Namay Samay

The main ensuite gives a sense of calm, a mix of a more contemporary bath by Lusso and a stool by Custodian Antiques. The ladder is The White Company, the floor tap by Studio Ore and the vanity unit is made by Humprey Munson.

Wall and Ceiling Colour Slate II by Paint & Paper Library

GARDEN

We designed a space that is great for entertaining, with clever lighting and designated zones for relaxation, dining and planting.

Furniture Garden Trading
Wall Light Ash Wall Light J Adams
Pots Pots and Pithoi
Pizza Oven Gozney
BBQ Sub Zero Wolf
Floor Tiles Dijon Tumbled Limestone Mandarin Stone
Railing Leighton Ironcraft

Visit MalinAndLynn.com and EmmaMilne.co.uk
Photography by David Butler (@DnButlr)

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