Inside an Enchanting Victorian Villa in Ireland

‘Every room has lots of surprises that draw you in, and it’s a journey throughout,’ explains Pandora Taylor of the enchanting Victorian villa in an Irish coastal town that she has thoughtfully reimagined.

Pandora had previously collaborated with the LA-based client on her London property and, when the client decided to relocate from London to Ireland, Pandora was enlisted to transform the elegant villa into a home from home, where she could unwind and relax.

The house was reconfigured and tailored to the client’s lifestyle. Two bedrooms on the third floor were knocked through to create a generous main bedroom (complete with a four-poster) that exudes decorative confidence – ‘we wondered how to make the space cozy, so we brought in the four-poster and leaned into the Victorian aspect,’ says Pandora.

A bedroom next door, meanwhile, was transformed into an opulent bathroom with a voluptuous tub set on Arabescato marble. Another bedroom was then converted into an atmospheric dressing room. ‘The whole top floor is now a sanctuary,’ says Pandora. Downstairs, a wall was knocked through to create an additional bathroom, as well as a practical laundry room, while an opening was created between the living/dining space and the kitchen, resulting in a space that flows beautifully.

The client craved an English country house aesthetic that referenced florals and maximalism, and Pandora has achieved this with a myriad of deft flourishes. ‘Everywhere you look, there are floral patterns – as well as a tapestry mural – inspired by country houses,’ explains Pandora.

The house was also to be something of a retreat. ‘The client wanted their home to be like a cocoon, so she could forget about the outside world, and she also wanted it to be super cozy,’ notes Pandora. ‘It’s a holiday home, but she was imagining making vacations really special here, having family over for Christmas and creating this amazing atmosphere for everyone who’s staying.’

The seductive entrance hall sets the scene for the drama to come in the rest of the house. ‘It’s quite dark and Victorian,’ says Pandora. ‘The client wanted to repeat some things from her London home, but in a different way. She had fallen in love with the wallpaper – it creates an enveloping space that is like entering a different world where everything’s warm and embracing. Then we made the rest of the levels lighter and more open.’

In contrast to the cocooning hallway, the first-floor living room is light and bright, and exudes a sense of grandeur. ‘The room gets the most incredible light throughout the day, as well as having beautiful views of the sea,’ says Pandora, ‘so we wanted to emphasize the light and create this really joyful space.’ The design narrative was led by the exquisite floral wallpaper. ‘I fell in love with the tones of it – it sat really nicely.’

Injecting authenticity into the house is a collection of antiques sourced in the UK and Ireland. ‘The client loves finding antiques and interesting pieces, and that really taps into something I’m passionate about,’ says Pandora. The reupholstered antique Chesterfield sofa, for instance, injects a jewel-hued punch, while two fringed slipper chairs came from one of Pandora’s favorite antiques dealers and are upholstered in their original fabric.

The open-plan space also incorporates a dining area furnished with a mid-century oval table and chairs for a modern twist. ‘There are a lot of traditional and antique pieces in this space, so we wanted something that was a bit slicker to balance it all out.’ The opening that Pandora created leads to the modern country-style kitchen.

Here, pared-back timber cabinetry is teamed with dramatic granite surfaces. ‘The lines are much cleaner and simpler and a foil to the other aspects,’ says Pandora. Appliances are hidden in freestanding purple-black cabinetry that grounds the space, while a striking Japanese-inspired artwork by Irish artist Cliona Doyle teases through the colors in the room. Pandora’s carefully considered schemes are a visual feast that fulfill the client’s desire for a home that pushes the boundaries. ‘The house definitely touches on my sense of playfulness with color and pattern.’