Inside a Victorian Manor Where Old and New Meet in Harmony

Homes designed for collectors often risk becoming museums of their owners' good taste. This residence avoids that fate entirely. Instead, century-old furnishings sit comfortably beside contemporary design, artworks punctuate richly textured rooms, and every space reveals something of the lives lived within it.

Long before the Pierre Frey textiles, lacquered finishes and carefully curated furnishings arrived, there was the house itself: a Victorian manor defined by generous proportions, exquisite craftsmanship and a quiet sense of romance. It was this architectural legacy that first captivated designer Linda Boronkay, founder of Boronkay Studio, who saw in the residence an opportunity not to recreate the past, but to continue its story.

The homeowners, passionate collectors and seasoned travellers, shared Boronkay’s instinct for creating something personal rather than prescriptive. They wanted a house that honoured its history while remaining warm, expressive and entirely suited to modern family life. Rather than pursuing a singular aesthetic, Boronkay created a home shaped by conversation — between old and new, collected and commissioned, grandeur and intimacy.

"What immediately attracted me to the project was the architecture and its history," says Boronkay. "The house possesses an incredible sense of presence, with all the generosity, craftsmanship and romance you associate with a great Victorian manor."

Instead of treating history as a stylistic blueprint, Boronkay looked to the qualities that have allowed both Victorian and Art Deco design to endure. Richness, layering, confidence and craftsmanship informed the interiors, while contemporary pieces were introduced to create contrast and energy. "I am generally less interested in recreating historical interiors than in understanding the qualities that made  them endure in the first place," she explains.

That philosophy is evident throughout the house. Bespoke joinery sits alongside antiques gathered over time, while richly layered materials like oak, marble, aged brass, lacquer and velvet, create depth and warmth. The palette evolved organically from the architecture, natural light and the clients' collection, resulting in interiors that feel collected rather than decorated.

Some of the most compelling moments arise from combinations that initially seem unexpected — a contemporary piece positioned against ornate Victorian detailing, or a modern silhouette grounding a room filled with history. "The contemporary pieces are just as important as the antiques because they create tension," she says. "And tension is often what brings a space to life."

Like many historic homes, the property also required careful adaptation for contemporary living. Circulation, storage and the relationship between formal and informal spaces were reconsidered, ensuring the house functions as effortlessly as it looks.

Perhaps nowhere is Boronkay's approach more evident than in the West Wing lounge and music room. Drenched in glossy oxblood lacquer and crowned with a mirrored ceiling, the space strikes a balance between drama and comfort.

A piano and integrated bar allow for entertaining, while layered furnishings create an atmosphere that remains inviting despite its theatricality. "There is a sense of opulence in this room, but equally a sense of intimacy despite its scale," says Boronkay. "It feels elegant but not precious."

That balance ultimately defines the project. Rather than pursuing perfection or adhering to a singular style, Boronkay has created a home shaped by personality, memory and lived experience. It is a house that honours its past while embracing the present, one that continues to reveal itself over time, much like the collections and stories it so beautifully contains.

Credits

Text by Catherine Mo 

Photographs: Martin Morrell