After a bit of a sabbatical our Top 5 series is back, taking a look at five of the best new locations that we’ve taken on since the start of the year. We’ve been incredibly blessed to have been inundated with a great selection of properties over the last coupe of months and choosing just five hasn’t been easy! Scroll down to see our selection of favourites so far in 2023…
Victoria
This 4 bedroom East London town house has been refurbished and repurposed in such an incredible way that we can’t stop looking at it. We try really hard not to use the word ‘stunning’ when describing our properties but there seems no better word to sum up the double height atrium kitchen.
Light floods in through the arched window, the crittal doors and the full-length skylights, showcasing the marble kitchen island, marble work tops, decorative chandeliers and beautiful parquet flooring. The doors at the end perfectly frame the garden beyond and the tasteful use of dark wooden period furniture perfectly complements the overtly modern style.
Leading on from the kitchen, the main living room area is another visual delight, with more expanse of parquet flooring, panelled walls, pink velvet furniture and fabulous artistic touches. This is open plan to the hallway with a beautifully restored staircase which leads to the next level.
Here you will find a wonderful selection of exquisitely styled bedrooms and a bathroom that you could spend an eternity in. The central roll-top bath is surrounded by dark floral wallpaper, a lamp with matching shade and an ornate double pedestal sink. There is also a marble shower, encased in glass and views from the bath onto the gardens.
On the upper level there is another wonderful bedroom with yet another roll-top bath at one end and full-height glass doors opening on to a terrace which has views of the City.
Green
Green truly is what you would call a ‘unique’ location! Located in Woodford, North East London, this is a house unlike any other we have in our library. Step inside to find a carefully curated explosion of colour that continues through every room and every level. There’s no holding back in the first lounge, with bold panelled walls, bright velvet furniture, a tiled fireplace and striped rug. Clever use of plants and props further adds to the sensory experience.
The second living area, which adjoins the kitchen, again uses a mix of colour, complemented with quirky artwork, more plants, a striped tiled floor and crittal windows looking out onto the garden, giving a distinct feeling of bringing the outside in. The kitchen itself is fitted with dark wooden and metallic units and a central island that houses the hob. To the side of this is the dining area which again is full of quirky props and artwork.
The staircase in the hallway is fitted with a rainbow carpet, which ties in the array of colours surrounding it and along the walls you’ll find even more fascinating arty pieces. Once upstairs you’ll find more visual delights in the bedrooms, with a lovely selection of different wallpapers, and the bathrooms which further explore the use of unusual floor tiles.
The lovely courtyard garden at the rear is also awash with colour and features palm trees and decking, giving it a positively tropical feel.
Casa
Based in East London, Casa features traditional Victorian interiors, boasting 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and beautiful, restored period features.
Casa’s most impressive space is its Japandi-meets-Moroccan styled open-plan kitchen and living area, formed as part of an extension to the rear of the house. This space, neutral and warm in tone, is accessible via a small raised arch and a set of raw wooden steps. The kitchen area is fitted with an incredible central island and hob, doubling up as a breakfast bar and fronted with wooden panelling.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the living space, fitted with a low, souk-style sofa and scatter cushions around a rustic rug and potted plants. Further down the space clients will find a funky, retro-styled bookshelf and bright art, surrounded by more plants, touching the room tastefully with biophilic design.
Towards the rear you’ll find the dining space and chill-out area, directly opposite the wall of glass which provides a direct view of the garden. This already-light space is brightened by its tall, wood-panelled ceilings and a huge central skylight.
Stepping out into the garden via sliding doors, clients will find themselves upon a smooth concrete patio, featuring a hand-made shelter and bench to the left-hand side, perfect for outside dining. To the back of the garden, a shed can be discovered, along with a huge trampoline.
Back inside and towards the front of the property, you’ll find Casa’s cosy, wood-panelled reception room, set across a polished parquet floor. This space is painted in a dark midnight blue, brought to life with pops of warm colour through art, photos and ornaments. A grey sofa sits in between two tall sash windows, which are fitted with wooden bi-folding panels. One wall is filled with an abundance of books, as well as a neat stack of drinks and glasses, acting as a mini bar. An original fireplace can also be found here.
The main bedroom features a large four-poster bed, pleasantly facing a beautiful, refurbished mantlepiece. A built-in, rattan wardrobe takes up the entirety of one wall, maximising storage potential and even providing a textural backdrop in this modest space.
Back inside and towards the front of the property, you’ll find Casa’s cosy, wood-panelled reception room, set across a polished parquet floor. This space is painted in a dark midnight blue, brought to life with pops of warm colour through art, photos and ornaments. A grey sofa sits in between two tall sash windows, which are fitted with wooden bi-folding panels. One wall is filled with an abundance of books, as well as a neat stack of drinks and glasses, acting as a mini bar. An original fireplace can also be found here.
The main bedroom features a large four-poster bed, pleasantly facing a beautiful, refurbished mantlepiece. A built-in, rattan wardrobe takes up the entirety of one wall, maximising storage potential and even providing a textural backdrop in this modest space.
Meadows
Meadows is a hyper-modern spacious home in Essex. The ground floor is open plan, with a white and bright interior that has a distinct feeling of space due to the double-height ceiling in the kitchen area. Although interconnecting to the kitchen, the different areas are cleverly zoned and encompass the living room and dining space, which are tiled throughout.
Off to the side, you’ll find a second living room area with a slate tiled fireplace, which is ideal for a breakout or prep area for crews shooting at the house. Here again there are full-width sliding glass doors, which only add to the wonderful feeling of space.
On the landing upstairs there is yet another seating area which looks over the balcony to the kitchen area below. This leads to the bedrooms, which are also painted white and carry on the modern theme. The bathrooms are also sleek and modern, with walk in showers and stylish baths, these also feature tiling on both the floors and the walls.
Outside the master bedroom is a lovely balcony terrace area which looks out over the garden, which is vast and is home to many mature trees. The garden also features outdoor seating and eating areas plus a swimming pool.
Tunbridge
The last of our top 5 is the spectacular Tunbridge. A detached Georgian country house and former rectory dating from 1803, the property is a grand home and consists of the main house, which is sprawling and vast with 5 bedrooms, plus a coach house, where you’ll find two more.
The ground floor of the main house features a large formal dining room with an open fire, large sash windows complete with shutters and a grand fireplace. Next to this is a large drawing room, decorated with pastel colours, a library & TV room and a family room.
The large kitchen has a real country feel and is complete with a central kitchen island, a separate eating area, white walls, an aga and units finished in subtle green tones.
Considering the quality of the finishes throughout, it’s not surprising to know that this house has been lovingly restored over a period of three years, with help of House and Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year, Maddux.
In the grounds outside you’ll find the coach house, which also houses traditional old stables that have been transformed into an event space with an adjoining professional chef’s kitchen with large steel and glass doors. On the floor above as well as the two extra bedrooms there is a living room, a kitchenette and a bathroom.
The grounds outside are huge and span approximately 27 acres, including fields with sheep and alpacas, a fruit orchard and mature woodlands. The large garden area immediately surrounding the house is formal and adjoins a tennis court, a courtyard, a greenhouse, a swimming pool with pool house, a gym and a kid’s playground, chickens, cut flower gardens and much more.
We’re sure you’ll agree that as country houses go, this one has just about everything you could possibly need!