A Storied 1851 English Home with Collected Antiques and Textiles

In Leicester, England, Chloe Malik, founder of home decor and textile brand Stanley & May, has transformed Lawnside, an 1851 Victorian villa, into a welcoming family home filled with art, antiques, and collected treasures. Tucked along a quiet lane in the historic conservation area of Stoneygate, the house has a fascinating past: in 1864, it became a home for “upper-class ladies needing moral restraint”. Today, the property has a rather different spirit, serving as a lively gathering place for family and friends.

The house has held a special place in Chloe and her husband’s story for three decades, ever since he first showed her the then-dilapidated villa he had dreamed of owning since arriving in the UK as a refugee. Six years ago, they finally made it theirs, embarking on a nine-month renovation that restored its original character, from its grand central staircase and soaring arched windows to its elaborate cornicing and Victorian fireplaces.

Inside, vintage textiles, colorful furnishings, heirloom plasterwork, and one-of-a-kind finds reflect Chloe’s instinctive approach to decorating, shaped by her family’s artistic heritage and a lifelong love of antiques, travel, and beautiful fabrics. Named after her grandparents, Stanley & May embodies the same philosophy that guides her home: creating spaces that feel personal, comfortable, and entirely their own. With six bedrooms and inviting gardens, Lawnside is both an evolving gallery and a much-loved setting for entertaining.

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