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Inside Abigail Ahern’s East London Victorian Home

  • Aug 19
  • 3 min read

Tucked away in East London, Abigail Ahern’s Victorian townhouse is a home that challenges conventional ideas of light, colour and interior setting. Built in 1860, the property has been completely transformed from what she describes as a neglected house with a carport and“no planting”into a richly layered home surrounded by lush landscaping.


DESIGNER

Abigail Ahern

TYPE

Family Residence

LOCATION

East London, UK

SERVICES

Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

PRESENTED BY

Abigail Ahern

Brick townhouse facade with brown and white trim, green door marked 83, wreath on the door, stone steps, and leafy foreground greenery
Sunlit brick townhouse facade with white-trimmed windows, front steps, and lush green garden foliage in the foreground.

The design approach begins even before stepping inside, where the restored façade and beautifully designed garden soften the overall vibe. “When you step inside, it’s a bit like an Aladdin’s cave” Abigail says. “You’re constantly being pulled into the next room, and you just feel super elevated.”

Dim hallway with bold signs reading CALM CARRY ON and COWBOY UP, chandelier, radiator, and wooden door.
Stairwell with striped steps and a large black-and-white KEEP CALM + CARRY ON sign beside a window and chandelier.

Creating Drama With Colour and Size


The narrow Victorian hallway instantly introduces Abigail’s design philosophy. Instead of fighting the proportions, she embraces them by painting the walls, ceiling, woodwork and floors in a single deep shade, allowing the boundaries of the room to blur. Oversized mirrors, large-scale artwork and well-placed lighting make the hallway feel larger than its footprint suggests. “When you paint them the same colour, you can’t quite see where the walls stop” she explains. “It all blurs out and it looks taller than it really is.” Throughout the entrance, vintage furniture, patterned runners and botanical displays create what Abigail describes as a little “fairy dust magic.”


Cozy brown living room with chandelier, plush chairs, marble coffee table, and large window with green view.

Stylish black home office with chandelier, bookshelves, orange lamps, desk, chair, fireplace, and shag rug in a cozy, moody room
Cozy living room with shaggy chairs, sculptural coffee table, mushroom lamps, and a fireplace by a window.
Cozy boho sitting nook with shaggy chaise, orange lamp, black fireplace, patterned pillows, and large window light.

Layers of Texture Throughout the Home


Moving through the house, every room feels distinct yet naturally connected through a consistent palette of earthy tones, layered textures and vintage finds. Abigail fills her studio living room with bouclé fabrics, faux fur, shaggy rugs and handcrafted pieces that soften the architecture while creating warmth. “Texture is one of those under-considered components” she says. “It adds such soulful warmth to a room.” Similar furnishings, repeated materials and well selected colours allow each room to evolve but is still tied to the design altogether.


Stylish sunlit living room with red patterned sofa, textured chairs, large window, plants, mirror, and warm lamps.
Sunlit modern living room with large windows, gray and coral chairs, plants, lamps, and art; cozy, eclectic decor with no people.
Sunlit boho living room with sofas, rugs, plants and lamps beneath a large black grid window opening to a lush garden.

Bringing the Garden Indoors


One of the most significant changes to the property was opening the rear of the house to open the home more fully to the garden. Large Crittall-style glazing frames the landscape while flooding the lower floor with natural light, inspired by Abigail’s experience designing homes in America. “I wanted the outdoors to be very integral to my inside space” she explains. Inside, bespoke lighting, handcrafted ceramics and textured finishes continue the organic feel, while every view is framed to draw the eye towards the landscape beyond.


Stylish open-plan kitchen with island, chandeliers, patterned rugs, and cozy living area beyond, warm modern rustic feel
Warm modern kitchen with brick wall, hanging chandelier, flower arrangement, cookware on island, and built-in ovens.
Warm, cozy kitchen with dark walls, open shelves, jars, lamps, plants, and a wooden cutting board on the island.

Function Meets Comfort


Despite its highly curated appearance, the home has been designed around daily living. The lower ground floor combines relaxed seating areas, a welcoming den and a kitchen that functions as the main entertaining area. Open shelving, decorative lighting and vintage furniture soften what could otherwise feel like a purely practical room. “Kitchens to me can feel really sterile” Abigail says. “I needed this room to feel just as beautiful and connected as my dining room, my den and my living area.”


Sunlit garden patio with round table, modern chairs, cushions, and large stone pot amid lush green trees and purple flowers
Cozy garden patio with rattan chairs, round table, tan sofa, and lush plants beside a glass-walled house.
Cozy black-walled sunroom with wicker chair, desk, lamp, plants, books, and gold decor by large windows.

An Outdoor Room All Year Round


The garden has been designed as an extension of the interiors rather than a separate outdoor space. Earthy materials, oversized planting, layered seating areas and an outdoor kitchen encourage year-round use, while winding pathways reveal new destinations at every turn. Abigail planted the garden from scratch, creating secluded spaces that encourage people to slow down. “I very much wanted to create an outdoor room” she says. “You’re kind of blurring the lines with, am I in or am I out? You don’t quite know, and that’s what makes a space feel incredibly magical.”


Cozy rustic bedroom with a large bed, shaggy pillows, wood accent wall, warm lamps, and a soft neutral palette.
Elegant boho living room with chandelier, fireplace, abstract art, shag rug, lamps, and neutral brown and cream decor.
Sunlit cozy bedroom/closet with shaggy coats, cream lounge chair, mirror, lamp, and woven decor in neutral tones.

A Sanctuary Upstairs


Upstairs, the bedrooms continue the home’s rich material palette while introducing a gentler ambiance. The primary suite has been stripped back to prioritise openness, with wardrobes relocated upstairs to create a more restful environment. Layered textiles, reclaimed timber, handcrafted lighting and working fireplaces create warmth without sacrificing sophistication. “I wanted the primary bedroom to feel like a sanctuary” Abigail explains. “Texture you can never have too much of.”


Stylish dark bathroom with black soaking tub, round mirror, woven pendant lights, wood accents, shelves, and a blue robe hanging nearby
Rustic black wood shelf with cascading plant, toiletries, wooden bowl and sandals, plus stone decor in a moody spa-like room
Person places a beige woven cushion on a wooden table beside a black chair and green potted plant on a shaggy rug.

Even the bathroom follows the same philosophy, replacing cold surfaces with timber, rugs, botanicals and soft lighting to create a space that feels closer to a boutique spa than a conventional bathroom.


Woman seated in a cozy, art-filled living room with a small dog, surrounded by paintings, vases, and a lit lamp.

A Reflection of Abigail’s Design Philosophy


Every room in Abigail Ahern’s townhouse reflects her belief that homes should evoke emotion and not just simply follow trends. Through well-selected colour palettes, generous layers of texture, oversized statement pieces and a strong connection with nature, she has created a home that is distinctive yet comfortable to live in. As she concludes, “I’ve loved having you come into my pad” leaving visitors with a clear understanding that meticulous design is not about perfection but about creating spaces that make you want to stay.

 

If you’d like to discover more about Abigail Ahern and her work, visit her website at https://abigailahern.com or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/abigailahern/.






 
 
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