A London Home With Victorian Architecture Modernised by Scandinavian Interior Design

High ceilings and large arched windows are some of the defining features that characterise classic Victorian homes, and with that comes the uplifting prospect of natural light.  

This was the creative driving force retained for the large modern home renovation of Designing Lily’s Pad. This Victorian home in Dulwich, South East London, hadn’t been updated for almost forty years and desperately needed modernisation. To update it, Lily sought a calm, Scandinavian interior design scheme to utilise the existing light and space throughout the home strategically. 

She was attracted by the understated simplicity of ABI Interiors’ products for her renovation project, choosing the contemporary elegance of brushed brass and matte black for her tapware finishes.  

True to the intended vision, the kitchen exudes a Scandi interior design aesthetic — layered wood surfaces and cabinetry that clearly emphasise the functional working environment. Here, our sophisticated Elysian Kitchen Mixer in brushed brass is ideally suited to the airy, optimistic space with a grey tiled backsplash reflecting gleaming natural light through multiple-shutter windows.  

“My favourite part is probably the kitchen [...] — it used to be the living room,” says Lilly. “The beautifully arched windows that we have in here were kind of obscured by a huge curtain, so we were able to restore [the] slash windows, and we get this beautiful east light in the mornings, which just makes it feel really lovely when you come down for your coffee.”

Neutral and restrained hues characterise Lily Pad’s Scandi-style bathrooms too. Here, our Eden Thermostatic Shower Rail Set in brushed brass makes a beautiful statement with a hanging plant providing a touch of biophilic design in a recessed wall niche.

“In general, we tried to go sort of quite understated with the decor and really trying to [...] embrace the light, airy feel,” continues Lily. “I found ABI through Instagram and have been following [them] for quite a while before we actually started our own renovation.”

That’s not to say other finishes can’t be embraced for a Scandivanian interior design scheme. An additional bathroom in this Victorian home features our Wall-Mounted Spout, Elysian Shower Bottom Diverter, and Rounded Rectangle Hand Shower Set — making a statement in contrasting matte black over a brilliant white freestanding bath. 

This loft bathroom contrasts white wall tiles with the light grey tones of library marble to enhance the space. Our Elysian Minimal Mixer and Spout Set in brushed brass effortlessly introduces some elegance into the largely neutral scheme.  

“The style of [ABI Interiors’] products and the general interior design style was something that really appealed to me, particularly the kind of simplicity of the products, and it kind of chimed a lot with [an] understated kind of architectural style that I like,” says Lily.  “I’m really a fan of the kind of Scandi style, so we went for very light colours and light woods to get quite a calming, Scandi feel.” 

Light pink walls, an abundance of different textures, and soft furnishings with the continuation of biophilic design reinforce the understated Nordic interior design simplicity of the living area. 

“We feel really lucky to be living here, [...] it’s such a transformation from what was. We’re really pleased with how it turned out.”

Does your home feature ABI Interiors’ products? Contact us at [email protected] — we’d love to see your space!