A Small Converted London Victorian Is Classic, Cheerful, and Packed With Character

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Jan 17, 2025

A Small Converted London Victorian Is Classic, Cheerful, and Packed With Character

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Jan 17, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Home Type
Bedrooms
Square feet

700

Sq ft

700

Chelsea Mills, a managing partner of a creative marketing agency and photographer, and her partner Kirby, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, made a bold move in April 2022. After finishing up “gut-job renovations on a rambling townhouse” in Toronto, they relocated to London, UK, with their two cats, Dolly and Frankie, and just six suitcases.

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"What I love about how our flat turned out is the balance of comfortable and casual with elements that are elegant, creating an environment that is cozy, inviting, with some personality. I am really happy with how it’s turned out, and on a strict budget, no less! With a little elbow grease and a formula of existing inventory + functional basics + a few unique finds, it’s become a place where we truly feel peace," Chelsea writes.

“Although on paper we were leaving so much stability behind — great jobs, friends and family close by, a beautiful home we had renovated to our tastes — we had had this dream of living overseas at some point, and we felt after so many lockdowns there was no time like the present,” Chelsea begins. “We were very naive and full of wonderment at that time!”

"Decorating can be overwhelming and intimidating. I’ve found having a clear sense of my style identity and firm criteria for things that make it into my home (or wardrobe), helps," Chelsea advises.

The couple quickly set out to find a flat that would be a fit, but first stayed in an Airbnb for a month. “London is incredibly vast, so we spent weeks visiting as many neighborhoods as we could to get a sense of where we wanted to lay down roots. My home and personal space has always been a sanctuary for me — as a couple with demanding jobs, who travel often for both work and pleasure, we wanted a place we could escape the chaos. Needless to say, we had a lot of criteria when looking for the perfect flat!”

"Also, creating a space takes time! Be comfortable with being patient - the results are so worth it. Take time to find things that you like and you find unique and interesting, and are cool to you. Otherwise you’ll end up with a space that’s devoid of character, and not reflective of your personal style," Chelsea advises.

After an exhaustive search, they found their perfect home in a charming ground-floor converted Victorian. With soaring 14-foot ceilings, bay windows flooding the space with light, and a mix of traditional details like wainscoting and modern updates, the flat offered an ideal place for themselves and their kitties. Despite some mismatched furnishings that came with the rental, Chelsea’s talent for blending sleek minimalism with organic textures brought cohesion and warmth to the space.

“I value authenticity and individuality and I like my home like I like my life: functional, yet with character. The story is of utmost importance to me (as a marketer, I come by it honestly!), which is why I am allergic to too much in the way of box-fresh,” Chelsea describes. “I prefer to go with vibes and instinct when it comes to decorating a living space instead of a singular style classification, operating on a bit of a ‘I’ll know it when I see it’ mentality!

"This is so simple, but took me too long to apply to myself: Just like in life, it is much more interesting to have a home that is full of character and unique personal elements, rather than following a uniform style," Chelsea advises.

“That being said, I often reach for my personal style theory — polished and effortless with a little bit of interest/ edge — and I would say that translates well for my decor preferences. I like the juxtaposition between clean minimalism and sleek lines mixed with organic shapes and textures, tend to gravitate to a neutral color palette, and dislike too much of one thing. All those characteristics and preferences and traits are very much embedded into all aspects of my life, our home included.”

Resources

LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM

  • Sofa — Loaf
  • Coffee table — Facebook Marketplace
  • Rug — Came with flat
  • End table — Came with flat
  • Side tables — Loaf
  • Lamp — Vintage
  • Armchairs — IKEA (came with flat)
  • End table — Wayfair
  • Canvas artwork — DIY!

LOUNGE AREA

  • Sofa — Loaf
  • End tables — Loaf
  • Table lamp — Vintage
  • Floor lamp — Came with flat
  • Artwork — A mix of wedding and family photos, Chelsea’s personal photography, artworks sourced from local artists and markets around the world
  • Throw pillows — H&M Home

RECORD AREA

  • Large mirror — Facebook Marketplace
  • Record unit — IKEA

OFFICE/BEDROOM

  • Bedding and throw pillows — H&M Home
  • Throw blanket — John Lewis
  • Dresser — IKEA (Facebook Marketplace)
  • Lamp — B&Q
  • Large artwork — Etsy
  • Small artwork — Flea market
  • Roller blinds — Amazon
  • Rug — IKEA
  • Bobbin mirror — DIY
  • Wall hanging — DIY

BEDROOM

  • Linen bedding — H&M Home
  • Bolster pillow — Etsy
  • Throw blanket — Zara Home
  • Nightstands — Facebook Marketplace
  • Marble knobs — H&M Home
  • Headboard — DIY
  • Lamps — IKEA
  • Bookshelf — IKEA (Facebook Marketplace)
  • Dresser — IKEA (Gumtree)
  • Lamp — T.K. Maxx (painted to match green shade)
  • Round mirror — Facebook Marketplace
  • Rug — Facebook Marketplace
  • Bench — Came with flat
  • Ahearling throw — Flea market
  • Rubber plant — Found on pavement and nursed back to life
  • Cat — Frankie!

Thanks Chelsea!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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