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Inside Emily Pun's Restored Victorian London Terrace

Jul 11
4 min read

Updated: Jul 14


A Victorian terrace is often defined by its history, but for interior designer Emily Pun, restoring one was never about recreating the past. Instead, it became an opportunity to respect the home's history while designing spaces that support modern living. Each room brings together practicality, warmth and personality, using handcrafted details and carefully selected materials to create a welcoming atmosphere.


DESIGNER

Emily Pun

TYPE

Family Residence

LOCATION

London, UK

SERVICES

Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

PRESENTED BY

Emily Pun

Sunny row of brick townhouses with green front door, bay windows, wooden storage bins, and house number 20.
Colorful tiled courtyard with geometric red, cream, and black floor, brick walls, wooden gate, and green plants in bright sunlight

A Welcoming First Impression


Emily's design vision begins at the exterior of the home. The home's once tired exterior has been restored with traditional sash windows, refreshed landscaping and new paving that instantly reconnect the house with its Victorian character. "The first thing that we wanted to do was relift the curb appeal and make it a lovely place for us to come home to after a long day at work," she explains.


Framed painting of two nude figures embracing and kissing on a hallway wall beside a stained-glass door, warm and intimate.
Wooden hallway doors open to an orange staircase with built-in under-stair cabinets and a coat hanging on the banister.
Wooden staircase with green-and-red patterned runner in a bright hallway, with a coat at left and open doorway at right.

That same welcoming feel continues into the hallway, where colourful artwork, clever storage and a patterned stair runner present the home's warm and collected personality. As opposed to treating the entrance as simply a transition space, Emily creates an entrance that is as functional as it is welcoming.


Warm modern kitchen with wood cabinets, red shelf of dishes, island stools, checkered floor, and gas range in bright light.

The Beauty of Restraint in the Kitchen


The rear extension transforms the traditional terrace layout into an open-plan kitchen and dining space, but it is the reclaimed quarry tile floor that captures attention. "It's such a feature that becomes the element everybody talks about when they walk into this space" Emily says.

Orange-and-black checkered tile floor beneath wooden table and chairs in a bright, empty room.
Bright modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white sink, hanging utensils, fruit bowl, and a stove under warm skylight light.

Recognising the strength of the flooring, she deliberately kept the bespoke oak kitchen simple, allowing the materials to breathe. Warm timber, terracotta tones and handcrafted joinery create a calm backdrop where every design decision feels rich in character without feeling overwhelming.


Warm kitchen with coral shelves displaying pottery bowls, pitchers, and plates beside wood cabinets and ceiling beams

Designing With Warm Tones


Throughout the home, Emily embraces a rich palette of warm colours that echoes her own personality. "I'm a very warm-toned human" she says, a vision visible through reds, yellows, terracotta hues and natural timber. Open shelving displays her growing pottery collection, and handmade ceramics, artwork and sourced vintage pieces introduce layers of character. Rather than hiding these personal collections, they become an important part of the design, making the kitchen feel genuine.


Bright modern kitchen with wooden table and chairs, orange-gray checkered floor, stove, shelves, and garden window.

Finding Opportunity Within Constraints


One of the most distinctive architectural features came from an unexpected challenge. Initial plans for a simple box extension were rejected, leading Emily to rethink the design. The resulting pitched roof and timber baffles now define the space, adding rhythm, texture and beautiful shifting shadows throughout the day. "When planning says no, people often think it's a missed opportunity" she says. "But when you put a little more thought into it, there are great areas to become more creative." The finished extension demonstrates how limitations can often produce more thoughtful architecture.


Modern wood kitchen with large prep table, stools, hanging utensils, open shelves, and warm skylight lighting

Natural Light as a Design Material


Natural light plays a central role in the mood of the extension. South-facing glazing, skylights and operable roof windows flood the interior with daylight while improving ventilation during warmer months. Emily describes the opening skylight as "quite thoughtful" not just for its functionality, but for how it complements the way the home is used. Combined with the timber detailing, changing daylight continually transforms the room, creating an interior that responds to the changing light and garden views throughout the year.

Bright modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white counters, open shelves, hanging utensils, and a stainless stove with towels
Warm dining room with wood ceiling, wall lamp, window seat, and open doors to a patio with red chairs and greenery.

Small Details That Make Everyday Living Better


Emily believes the success of a home often lies in the smallest moments. From a frequently used pot filler beside the hob to a window seat overlooking the garden, each feature has been designed to improve daily routines. "Sometimes we just need a little bit of joy for ourselves in our homes" she says. The window seat has also become a favourite spot for their dog Harold, emphasising Emily's belief that good design should consider every member of the household, not just the people.


Warm home office with black desk, shelves, wooden doors and staircase; COAT box on the left, neatly organized.

Purposeful Design for Contemporary Living


The home's middle rooms have been carefully reimagined to suit modern lifestyles. Pocket doors transform the office into a quiet workspace while also allowing it to connect with the rest of the ground floor. Reclaimed doors, acoustic seals and flexible furniture make the room highly functional without sacrificing character.

Cozy sage-green living room with cream sofa, TV, fireplace, bay window, and brass pendant lights.
Stylish living room with wall-mounted TV above a black fireplace, built-in bookshelves, beige curtains, and warm wood accents.

Nearby, the snug creates a cosy setting for relaxing and watching films, with Emily unapologetically placing the television at the centre of the room. "If you love watching TV, we display our TV" she says. "It becomes part of the room rather than trying to hide it."

Small cream bathroom with a toilet and wall-mounted sink, red-and-white trim, warm lighting, and decorative shelves by the mirror.
Warm yellow powder room with white sink, red-and-white trim, mirror, shelf decor, and exposed brass pipes.

Function in Every Detail


The compact powder room combines soft butter-yellow walls, vintage artwork and planned plumbing to maximise every inch of space. Emily believes successful interiors rely as much on technical planning as decoration, explaining that plumbing should be coordinated early to ensure the room functions comfortably.

Ceiling light with wire shade casts radial shadows over a warm entryway with wood doors, staircase, and shelves.
Ornate shell-shaped chandelier glows in a cream elegant room with tall windows and beige curtains.
Ornate ceiling medallion with a glowing white pleated pendant lamp in a beige room, viewed from below.

Lighting also becomes an important design tool, shifting the ambiance from brighter spaces into softer, more intimate rooms throughout the house.


Cozy bedroom with a green bedspread, striped canopy drapes, abstract wall art, and a teddy bear on the bed.
Elegant cream bedroom with black fireplace and mirror, olive curtains, wooden floor, and handbags by a vanity; calm, tidy interior
Cozy bedroom with green quilted bed, striped canopy, vanity by bright windows, and abstract wall art.

Restoring Character in the Principal Bedroom


Upstairs, the principal bedroom celebrates the home's Victorian character while introducing subtle contemporary updates. Restored fireplaces, original details and carefully customised IKEA wardrobes creates a room that feels authentic to the home's character. Above the bed, a simple fabric canopy replaces a traditional headboard, introducing softness and height while becoming the room's focal point. Emily describes it as "a cheap way to make such a lovely design feature" proving that impactful design often comes from creativity and not expensive materials.


Compact brick backyard patio with black fencing, sliding glass doors to a warm kitchen, red chairs, and potted plants.

A Home Designed for Everyday Living


Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Emily's home is not any individual design feature but the way every decision supports everyday life. Whether hosting Chinese New Year celebrations, working from the kitchen island, collecting artwork or tending to the garden, each space has been shaped around genuine routines instead of passing trends. As Emily says, "This is a lovely space to host people. It's created so many lovely memories for me and my friends." It is this thoughtful mix of design and personality that makes her restored Victorian terrace feel beautifully designed and truly lived in.





 
 
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