Main Facts
When Hollywood stars find themselves relocating internationally for high-profile streaming series, the transition is usually accompanied by sterile corporate housing or sprawling, gated California-style mansions in elite enclaves. However, actors Dichen Lachman—renowned for her chilling performances in Severance and Other Mommy—and Maximilian Osinski, a standout favorite from Ted Lasso and Ann Droid, carved out a remarkably different path.
Nestled in the leafy, historic west London neighborhood of Chiswick lies a 1,779-square-foot, three-bedroom Victorian terraced house that defies cookie-cutter expectations. Originally purchased on a whim while the couple was in the middle of a gym workout, the property has undergone a stunning, architectural metamorphosis.
Spearheaded by architect and designer Charlotte Lilford—a local parent whom the couple serendipitously befriended at their daughter Mathilda’s school—the renovation transformed a neglected 1970s time-capsule into a vibrant, texture-rich family haven. Blending high-design elements, rich heritage pieces from Nepal and Poland, and unabashed strokes of saturated color, Lachman and Osinski’s London residence stands as a masterclass in how to honor period architecture while tailoring a home for a dynamic, global lifestyle.
Chronology
The Accidental Acquisition
The story of the Chiswick home began in an unexpected setting: a fitness center. While working out just a four-minute walk away from the listing, Lachman spotted an online real estate alert for the property.
"Oh, I will just go have a quick look—I will be right back," Lachman recalls telling her husband.
What she encountered was not an instant romantic revelation. Built in the Victorian era, the three-bedroom house had scarcely been modernized since the 1970s. Osinski aptly describes its pre-renovation state as "the complete opposite" of the joyful, colorful oasis it is today.
Nevertheless, Lachman possessed the visionary eye required to see past the faded carpets and outdated layout. Knowing they needed expert guidance, the couple turned to Charlotte Lilford. Lilford had recently completed a brilliant renovation on another home down the same street. After taking Osinski to tour that completed project for inspiration, he was instantly sold—so much so that he greenlit the purchase without ever setting foot inside the property they were buying.
From Temporary Stint to Permanent Roots
The family’s move across the Atlantic was initially intended to be a fleeting chapter. Osinski had landed the role of the flamboyant, larger-than-life footballer Zava in Apple TV+’s massive hit Ted Lasso, requiring months of filming in Richmond. Simultaneously, Lachman was starring as Gemma Scout and the enigmatic Ms. Casey in the mind-bending sci-fi thriller Severance.
What began as a temporary professional relocation gradually morphed into a permanent life change. Captivated by the close-knit, pedestrian-friendly rhythm of west London, the family—including their daughter, Mathilda, and their dog, Whisky—decided to put down deep roots. The short-term rental mindset dissolved, making way for a permanent European base.
Supporting Data and Architectural Breakdown
Executing a seamless blend of historic preservation and modern optimization required a precise architectural strategy. Lilford, a French designer dividing her time between London and Paris, operates with a philosophy rooted in functionality.
"I like designing spaces that are practical," Lilford explains. "I cannot design a space if it makes no sense in terms of the usage."
The Footprint and Structural Redesign
Spanning 1,779 square feet, the Victorian house was given a new lease on life through an extensive loft extension and ground-floor expansion. Lilford’s primary goal was to preserve surviving Victorian details while faithfully reinstating architectural elements that had been stripped away over decades of previous ownership.
- The Stairwell Statement: "The first thing you see when you step into the house is the stairwell," Lilford notes. To maximize the spatial impact, the old staircase was entirely removed. The new configuration plays with sweeping geometric lines to open up light and air around the entry foyer.
- The Entrance Hall: Terracotta-toned walls provide immediate visual warmth against durable terrazzo flooring. A bespoke mustard-colored banquette serves a dual purpose, acting as a cozy seating nook while concealing clever built-in storage. Above it hangs a vintage Danish brass Kastor pendant light designed by Jo Hammerborg for Fog & Mørup.
- The Kitchen & Entertaining Hub: Crafted by bespoke joinery specialists Julien Austin Giles, the kitchen features striking marble countertops. Despite initial hesitation regarding the natural staining properties of marble, Lilford embraced the patina: "Those natural materials give real character to your space." The kitchen successfully houses oversized appliances imported from Los Angeles, proving that compact London floor plans can accommodate American-scale culinary ambitions. Osinski notes that the kitchen has naturally become the social epicenter of the home, joking, "I have started to feel like if I suggest heading to the living room it is almost an insult."
Textural Layers and Bold Aesthetics
Color and texture are deployed strategically throughout the property, leaning into rich jewel tones and immersive wallpapers rather than stark minimalism.
- The Courtyard and Wave Mosaics: Treating the compact garden as an additional interior room, Lilford installed a dramatic green marble wave mosaic from Starel that effortlessly flows from the outdoor courtyard into the interior spaces. "The smaller the garden, the more money you need to put in it," Lilford asserts. "You need to make a real splash."
- The Movie Theater & Jungle Wallpaper: Located upstairs, the family’s home theater is fully cocooned in a fantastical Matières Végétales jungle wall covering from French design house Élitis. Inspired by the striking design choices of The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York, the room envelops viewers in rich, immersive botanical prints.
- Mathilda’s Bedroom & Bath: The children’s spaces are equally expressive. Mathilda’s bedroom features Gucci’s dramatic Heron print wall covering. Adjacent to it, a bespoke peach basin sits against Starry Night navy blue tiles by Otto Tiles, which wrap seamlessly across the ceiling to create a cozy, magical nocturnal sanctuary.
Official Responses and Personal Reflections
The soul of the Lachman-Osinski residence extends far beyond high-end designer collaborations; it is deeply personal, serving as a physical archive of the couple’s diverse cultural heritages and global travels.
"It is good to take your time to build your environment and vibe because then things have certain meaning to them; it is not just stuff," reflects Lachman.
This philosophy is evident in the careful curation of family heirlooms and sentimental objects. Lachman, who was born in Kathmandu and lived in Nepal until the age of seven before moving to Adelaide, Australia, brought a 19th-century Tibetan tapestry belonging to her grandmother. Meanwhile, Osinski honors his roots through a curated collection of vintage Polish circus posters. Rugs crafted by Lachman’s grandfather, curated mirrors, and cherished family mementos find a harmonious co-existence with contemporary pieces.
The couple also maintains a charming, whimsical travel tradition. "When we go to a new city or country, we always buy a Christmas decoration," Lachman smiles. "I know it is very cheesy and touristy, but our tree is really eclectic now and carries beautiful memories. I think that is what makes a home."
Osinski adds, "Our style is not very cookie-cutter, and neither is Charlotte’s."
Collaboration was the key to reining in the actors’ more adventurous impulses. "Charlotte is really good at toning us down," Lachman admits. "We are good at pushing back in terms of going a bit darker or wilder."
Implications
The transformation of Dichen Lachman and Maximilian Osinski’s Chiswick home highlights a broader cultural and architectural shift among internationally mobile creative professionals. As streaming platforms and globalized film production pull actors across continents, the definition of "home" is undergoing a profound evolution.
For Lachman and Osinski, trading the sprawling, car-centric expanses of Los Angeles for the pedestrian-friendly, human scale of west London has fundamentally altered their daily lives.
"LA is built for cars," Osinski observes. "London is very human scale."
This human-scaled urbanism fosters deeper community integration—evidenced by neighbors looking after their dog, Whisky, and their daughter, Mathilda, running over to play with friends down the street.
Ultimately, the project proves that downsizing square footage does not require compromising on luxury, personality, or functional design. By cleverly maximizing every square foot, integrating high-impact artistic statements, and anchoring the rooms in deeply personal family history, Lachman, Osinski, and Lilford have created a blueprint for modern urban living. It is a home engineered for a fast-paced international career, yet grounded firmly in the comforting, enduring warmth of community and heritage.
