How Amelia Modernised Her West London Victorian Home on a Budget

Sep 7

4 min read

Updated: Sep 14

https://youtu.be/j_rIczDhzEY

Amelia’s West London house has been redesigned to restore the feel of a traditional three-bedroom home after previously being arranged almost like two flats. The renovation involved rethinking the layout, opening up rooms and improving the flow of natural light. “I basically wanted to put it back to how it would have originally been as a house” she explains. Throughout, the design features Victorian references with the practical demands of contemporary living.

DESIGNER

Amelia Allen

TYPE

Family Residence

LOCATION

London, UK

SERVICES

Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

PRESENTED BY

Amelia Allen

Elegant hallway with a carpeted staircase, black-and-white checkered floor, large mirror, and open glass door.

An Entrance Hall with Victorian Character

The entrance hall sets the character for the house with a light, understated scheme that contrasts with the bolder colours used in the living spaces. Amelia chose a large-scale black and white marble floor, describing it as practical and a strong first impression, while the original staircase and handrail retain a sense of the home’s Victorian character. A runner in neutral seagrass carpet adds warmth, with traditional coving introduced to reinforce the period feel. “I feel like the first impressions of a house are quite important” Amelia explains.

Modern kitchen with dark green cabinets, marble island, wicker pendants, and large windows opening to a bright garden.

A Kitchen Full of Character

The kitchen, once a downstairs bedroom, was designed around a relatively compact footprint. A wide arch connects it to the hallway, while a skylight brings light into the space.

Elegant kitchen with dark green cabinets, marble island, woven pendant lights, and pink flowers on a bright, cozy counter

Green cabinetry, marble surfaces, brass details and traditional coving give it a strong personality, while bespoke storage allows Amelia to fit in everything from a double oven to a full-size fridge freezer. “I had to compromise and basically try and squeeze everything in without it feeling cluttered” she says. Marble was an important choice despite its upkeep. “It is a bit like a demanding mistress. It needs looking after, but I think the beauty outweighs the maintenance.”

Well-stocked pantry shelves with labeled jars, pasta, fruit, bread tin, and eggs in a bright, tidy kitchen.

Bright elegant hallway with white paneled cabinets, black-and-white checkered floor, framed art, and staircase.

Storage with Style

Storage is central to Amelia’s approach. A full-height pantry hides appliances and everyday clutter behind bespoke reeded-glass doors and handmade curtains, while additional cabinetry in the hallway creates an “overspill utility” for household essentials. This continues throughout the house, with IKEA wardrobes adapted to create a bespoke finish and concealed storage incorporated wherever possible. “I like everything to have its own home” Amelia says.

Rustic wooden dining table with woven chairs in a bright room, green bench and cabinet, polka-dot art, arched doorway.

A Characterful Dining Area

The dining area combines Victorian character with Amelia’s love of secondhand finds. Almost everything was sourced through Facebook Marketplace, including the long Victorian textile table, cane chairs and a storage bench that Amelia painted to match the kitchen cabinetry. She spent around a year searching for the right chairs, while the table was chosen for its texture and proportions. “I wanted something that had a bit of texture and life to it” she explains. Warm white and soft green tones continue the palette from the kitchen, creating a relaxed connection between the two spaces.

Bright backyard garden with lawn, potted flowers, patio seating, and a brick house with large glass doors under a cloudy sky

Sunny backyard patio with beige sofa and chairs, green lawn, potted plants, and a dark green shed under a blue sky

Sunny backyard patio with green lawn, beige sofas, potted plants, and a dark green garden shed behind a tall fence.

A Garden Designed for Living

Amelia approached the garden with the same emphasis on practicality and cohesion as the interiors, carrying the home’s creams, whites and greens outdoors. Limestone paving, terracotta pots, simple planting and a generous lawn create a relaxed setting, while the garden office provides a dedicated workspace without sacrificing a bedroom inside the house. The office itself follows the home’s practical approach, combining simple construction with thoughtful storage and an interior that echoes the main house. “I basically wanted nice simple beds,” Amelia explains, while keeping the garden useful for everyday life, from working to dining and entertaining.

Narrow hallway with dark green built-ins, leading to a red bathroom with white sink and black-and-white checkered floor.

Elegant bathroom sink with brass faucets, marble countertop, and dark green and white cabinetry.

Bright white closet with wood hanging rods overhead, olive cabinets, and a small window below in a clean, airy room

A Utility Room Designed for Everyday Living

For Amelia, practicality was just as important as appearance, which led her to create a dedicated utility room rather than keeping the washing machine and tumble dryer in the kitchen. The space includes a stacked washer and dryer, additional storage, a small sink and a traditional-style drying rack, with tongue-and-groove panelling adding warmth. The flooring continues the black and white scheme from the hallway, chosen for its practicality around plumbing and laundry. “It was really important for me to have different zones of functional, practical space when designing the house” Amelia says.

Cozy study with red built-ins, round table of books and flowers, fireplace, mirror, and framed art; visible text ART KANE.

Cozy living room with white marble fireplace, black stove, wooden cabinet, red bookshelves, and woven rug; warm, tidy mood

Layered Living Spaces

The two living rooms have deliberately different personalities. One is sophisticated, with a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, reclaimed marble fireplace and Amelia’s own photography displayed throughout.

Cozy green living room with white sofa, brown armchair, woven pendant light, flowers and books by a bright bay window.

Cozy sage-green living room with fireplace, woven trays, flowers, bookshelves, and a room beyond; warm, elegant mood.

The other is a cosy, colour-drenched space centred around a fireplace, full-length sofa and upholstered furniture. Amelia has upholstered several pieces herself, including an ottoman and chair, adding another layer of individuality to the interiors.

Bright, elegant bedroom with a neatly made bed, pale walls, wooden dresser, black fireplace, and soft sunlight through curtains.

Bright cream bedroom with built-in wardrobes, a vanity mirror, green stool, and a neatly made bed in a calm, airy setting

Bright bedroom corner with wood dresser, lamp, flowers, black fireplace, mirror, curtains, and white bed; calm, cozy mood

A Soft and Sophisticated Primary Bedroom

At the front of the house, the primary bedroom takes a softer, more restful approach. Amelia wanted a super king bed, which meant sacrificing the alcove space, while a full wall of built-in IKEA wardrobes provides generous storage without overwhelming the room. A reclaimed Victorian fireplace, subtle patterned upholstery and wall-mounted reading lights add character, while a soft seagrass carpet runs throughout the upper floor. “I was worried that this room was a bit boring and a bit like beige and neutral” Amelia says. Small touches of print and pattern bring personality to the otherwise calm scheme.

Bright beige bedroom with white bed, brown pillows, woven bench, black radiators, and framed art; book says LIVE BEAUTIFUL.

Bright bedroom with white built-in wardrobes, wicker baskets, open door, sheer-curtained window, and black radiator.

Guest Bedrooms with Practical Details

The two guest bedrooms continue the quieter palette used upstairs, combining warm colours, traditional details and clever storage. In one, existing IKEA wardrobes were adapted with MDF cubby holes, skirting and coving to create the appearance of bespoke cabinetry, while a £60 secondhand vanity adds a practical dressing area.

Elegant pink bedroom with striped bed, plum pillows, white bedding, black fireplace, wooden furniture, and book Money to Picasso

Cozy peach-toned bedroom with a white bed, dark pillows, vintage mirror, chair, and soft lamp light by a sunny window.

The second guest bedroom, originally a kitchen, was returned to its intended use as a bedroom, with a reclaimed fireplace and IKEA wardrobes given a more considered finish through paint, beading and brass handles. Amelia describes the warm pink scheme as “quite a calm tone” that makes the room feel particularly cosy.

Cozy living room seen through doorway, with fireplace, TV, flowers, lamps, and wicker baskets; a black bin reads ASH.

Design with a Personal Touch

Ultimately, Amelia’s home is a reflection of how she lives and what she loves, bringing together Victorian character, practical design and a distinctly personal collection of furniture, art and materials. Secondhand finds sit alongside bespoke details, while pieces she has upholstered herself add another layer of individuality. Rather than following a single design formula, she has created a home that has evolved through the renovation and continues to feel lived in. “One man’s trash is another woman’s treasure” Amelia says, capturing the playful, resourceful spirit behind the interiors. It is a home with character, warmth and a strong sense of personality, where thoughtful design is never far removed from everyday life.

Watch the Full Episode