A masterful combination of oak and concrete defines the interior of this extraordinary three-bedroom house in Clapton. Meticulously designed by architect William Paul, the house's Victorian facade belies the soaring double-height ceilings and vast panes of glass within. Carefully levelled to create a sense of extension and flow, a generous west-facing garden stretches out at the rear with several built-in seating areas and an outdoor kitchen.
The Tour
The house sits within a handsome Victorian terrace built using London stock brick with white stucco dressings. The front door sits behind an immaculately landscaped front garden with a bin store to one side.
The front door opens to an expansive living space, where long lines of sight extend towards the garden through five-metre tall glazing. Slivers of light dance across the cast concrete wall on the lefthand side: an arresting feature that recalls the modernist designs of the mid-20th century.
Custom terrazzo window seats sit neatly at the rear and stretch to the opposite wall to create a dedicated shelf for potted plants or books. The fireplace, also cast in concrete and with fluted tile components, echos the texture of the opposite wall. Here and across the ground floor, polished concrete flooring is warmed by underfloor heating.
A bespoke kitchen bounds the space at the front of the plan, with oak veneer cabinetry and a generous island topped with Grigio Alpi grey limestone countertops sourced from the Dolomites. Full integrated, there is a Bosch hob with associate down draught extractor and a Smeg oven. Raw, polished plaster walls add a sense of warmth and cleverly demarcates this area from the rest of the room. A useful utility area, WC and wine cellar sits on the lower-ground floor.
An open-tread staircase ascends to the first floor, where the principal double bedroom lies. A glazed panel allows natural light to permeate through, adding to the brightness from triple sash windows at the front. There are walk-in wardrobe within the en suite, which has a walk-in steam shower clad in porcelain tiles with built-in seating. Mini glo-ball lights by Flos illuminate the room.
Bookshelves line the landing, maximising space and storage. A dedicated office space sits mid-level, with exposed beams and a vast picture window with views across the rooftops and neighbouring gardens. A additional double bedroom crowns the top of the house and has a Juliet balcony and a small roof terrace. A second bathroom lies adjacent, with a bath under a generous glazed panel and separate step-in rose-head shower.
Outdoor Space
Vast glazed doors slide open onto a carefully planted west-facing garden. Flanked by decking at the front and back, there is a lawned area in the middle, surrounded by flowerbeds with a broad variety of established evergreen grasses. The garden has been especially designed for entertaining with an outdoor kitchen and an excellent provision of built-in seating. There is also a shed with plenty of outdoor storage.
The Area
There are many exciting restaurants close to Powell Road, including Uchi, My Neighbours The Dumplings, and Lucky & Joy, in addition to the legendary wine bar P. Franco, which has recently reopened. The Elderfield is a short walk away and is a favourite amongst residents, as are The Chesham Arms and The Spread Eagle, London’s first vegan pub. Well Street is just beyond and is home to Shankeys, an Indian-Irish restaurant serving delicious cocktails and food, and Well Street Pizza.
The restorative Hackney Downs is under a 10-minute walk from Powell Road and is much loved by dog walkers and runners alike; it also has tennis courts, basketball courts and a children’s play area. Hackney Downs Studios sits adjacent and is home to Tom’s Pasta and Deli as well as bakery Brunswick East.
Clapton’s Chatsworth Road is around a 15-minute walk away and has a lively gauntlet of independent shops, cafés and restaurants including Leo's, Finks Chats, Stone Bros Cafe and specialist suppliers L’Epicerie 56, London Borough of Jam and Hackney Draper. There are plenty of good pubs nearby, including The Crooked Billet, The Anchor and Hope, The Clapton Hart, The Star at Hackney Downs and The Elderfield.
Independent The Castle Cinema is also nearby and shows art house films and blockbusters alike. Grade II*-listed St John at Hackney, an 18th-century chapel and live music venue, is also nearby.
Stoke Newington Church Street and High Street are a 30-minute walk away. The latter is home to Sonora Taqueria, pub The Jolly Butchers, and Stoke Newington Bookshop, while the former has Spence Bakery, an outpost of Whole Foods and brunch spot The Good Egg. Rasa is a local institution, and Escocesa serves delicious tapas.
The closest station is Clapton, which serves the Weaver line (Overground). Hackney Central is within easy reach for Mildmay line services between Stratford and Richmond. The area is also well-served by bus connections.
Council Tax Band: D