Peace at last

It's hard to believe that Emma Dahlman's stunning and serene home was once a group of run-down bedsits – a smart renovation and aesthetic changed all that

- WORDS JANE CRITTENDEN | PHOTOGRAPHY NICK DEARDEN

Emma Dahlman and her husband, Nick Illston, bought a rundown property in London that had been divided into bedsits. They intended to turn the building back into a house and sell on, however things changed once they got started.

'We began clearing the overgrown garden and became emotionally invested really quickly,' says Emma, an interior designer who runs Still Life Story. 'We loved the outdoor space, the double-fronted exterior and large rooms. Then when we saw the architect's drawings for the contemporary rear extension, we thought, yes, we really want to stay here.'

The couple, who have a teenage son and daughter, hadn't taken on a house project of this scale before but grabbed the opportunity during the second lockdown when they weren't working. Emma, previously a visual merchandiser, had the interior design expertise; Nick, with a background in media, was keen to work alongside a builder and learn new skills.