“Michael didn’t want the house ‘overdesigned’,” says Inston, who has also worked for world leaders including the Emir of Qatar.

“He very much wanted it to be a home. He’s keen on masculine, dark colours, and wanted touches such as speakers concealed behind walls. He had no furniture or paintings at all, just his flutes and dancing shoes.”

Inston — who was paid £250,000 for turning the property into a home — scoured auction houses for antique pieces such as wine goblets and chandeliers, and had monogrammed dressing gowns made.

“When I’d finished I spent £300 on flowers alone. I laid the table, put his favourite soaps in the shower and vintage cognac in the decanters, and tucked a pair of monogrammed slippers under the bed.”

Walls are dressed with delicate silks in deep reds or soft beige, an expanse of marble greets visitors in the hall, and mink throws adorn the beds.

Original features such as ornate plasterwork and delicately carved marble baths and sinks complement Inston’s classical style.

The sumptuous crimson ground-floor dining room opens off the hall, with full-length windows on two sides of the room.

An imposing stone fireplace looks original, but was in fact imported from France. When it arrived, it was so heavy the floor needed to be reinforced to bear its weight.

Flatley — who is doing a feature film in July — loves the room, saying: “I still dress formally for dinner and eat in here, even if I’m on my own.”

Next door, the sitting room is decorated in muted colours, with plush sage carpet and cream walls. “Peter convinced me I needed a calming space to rest in,” says Flatley. “It’s very elegant and classical, somewhere I can really relax.”

Grand murals of cherubs pulling back the night sky decorate the ceilings of the master bedroom and principal bedroom on the first floor, while the guest bedroom is in tranquil blues and golds. The artwork is by Tony Raymond, whose creations also adorn the ceilings of the new Queen Mary 2 cruise liner.

An imposing landing separates the living and sleeping areas of Flatley’s home. One landing is big enough for an office space complete with library. Numerous balconies allow the dancer to enjoy a morning coffee outside when the weather allows.

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