2 Bed Flat, Refurb/BRRR, London, SE15 2NY, £850,000

This bright and generously proportioned two-bedroom apartment occupies the upper floors of a handsome Victorian house in Peckham, south-east London. Its split-level plan amplifies a sense of volume and space and has been comprehensively renovated using a selection of fine materials. A large, thoughtfully planted garden sits in the front receives a day-long sunlight and acts as a private buffer between the building and leafy York Grove beyond.

Setting the Scene 

The intervening centuries since 'Pecheham' first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 have seen several spellings of the area's name. Later recorded as 'Pekkham' in 1361, the moniker is thought to derive from 'the place of the river Peck', a small stream that ran in the area and watered the region's arable fields and livestock.

Like many of London's developing environs, Peckham was formerly a bustling market village, a place where traders came to settle to avoid paying higher rents within the city proper in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. With rich and fertile soil, the area was ripe for farming and, by the mid 1700s, there were highly productive market gardens and orchards supplying the city's food vendors. Records show locally grown produce to include melons, figs and grapes among a plethora of other fruits and vegetables.

The Grand Tour 

The eclectic variety of York Grove's pretty Victorian architecture lends the leafy street a veritable charm. Set within one such building, this apartment is reached via a tall garden gate sheltered by two pine trees. The front door lies at the far end of the tranquil private front garden and is accessed via a small flight of steps.

Within, original floorboards painted in Dodie by Coat run underfoot. On the right-hand side of the plan, illuminated by the arched fanlight above the front door, is a built-in cloakroom with plenty of room for winter coats, shoes and the likes of a buggy or bike.

The same attractive original floorboards ground the stairs that leads to the first floor. On the ascent, a generous window overlooking the side of the house allows natural light to flood the stairwell and upper landing.

Upstairs, the kitchen/dining room occupies the full width of the apartment's plan at the rear and has tree-speckled views across neighbouring gardens. The current owners have implemented a wonderfully practical yet sensitive arrangement during their renovation; a six-seater dining table comfortably fits to the left, while the kitchen is set on the right.

A stainless-steel-wrapped island acts as breakfast-bar and contains a Smeg gas hob, its outward orientation allowing for simultaneous entertaining and cooking. Behind, matt cream kitchen units run at waist-height and are topped with a discreet FENIX countertop. The subtlety of the units allows the Calacatta marble backsplash to take centre stage, adding texture and depth with its rich, molten veining. There are open shelves above and a large walk-in pantry to one side, painted an energising sunshine-yellow.

The sitting room is a soothing space, with two sash windows and gentle green-washed walls (Welmish Blew by Edward Bulmer). The chimney breast forms a focal point within the room, its lower half painted a deep grey, David Rose by Coat, and the upper half mirrored to disperse natural light.

Next door, the family bathroom has an elegant reeded-glass sash window above the bath. Sweet-pea motif wallpaper by Honor Addington delivers a sense of the bucolic and is complemented by unlacquered brass fixtures throughout and green tiles underfoot.

The second floor is the setting for both of the double bedrooms, separated by a landing currently used as a well-lit study. Velux windows in the slopping roof provide an exceptional quality of light and uninterrupted views of the changing skies above. The principal bedroom has double-aspect windows and an en suite shower room, beautifully clad in a ocean-blue medley of Moroccan tiles.

The Great Outdoors 

The apartment's front garden is a private space well populated with mature wild grasses, shrubs, an olive tree and a silver birch. Two large pine trees shield the garden from direct view of the pavement without blocking the sunlight.

There is neatly decked area perfect for dining outside and hosting barbecues in the warmer months. A shingle boarder and pathway to the timber storage shed provide an element of texture and visual interest.

Out and About 

The quietude and leafiness of York Grove belies its convenient proximity to Queens Road Peckham station, which is just a three-minute walk around the corner. The area is well serviced by the many local eateries, boutiques and cultural hotspots; Blackbird Bakery is a firm favourite, just a three-minute walk away, while popular Kudu sits a couple of doors further along.

Peckham is brilliantly positioned for a wide range of amenities. The Bussey Building and Peckham Levels, off Rye Lane, host an active and varied programme of yoga/dance classes, workshops, street-food and pop-up bars.

The cafés, boutiques and restaurants of Bellenden Village are around a 20-minute walk away, as well as the well-regarded Belham Primary School. The General Store is a neighbourhood grocery store and coffee shop presenting the finest seasonal produce, including Neal’s Yard cheese and a selection of natural wines. Excellent neighbourhood restaurants include Levan, Artusi and The Begging Bowl. Review Bookshop is a fantastic local independent bookshop.

Deptford and New Cross lie to the east of York Grove, with their countless popular pubs, restaurants and markets. Local favourites include the delectable Italian delights of Marcella and Aprina Bakery, purveyors of good coffee and excellent vegan-friendly pastries.

Nunhead is to the south and has a great village-like feel, with a greengrocer, a fishmonger, a deli, a café, and a new community centre by AOC architects. Local favourites include Good Cup for coffee, The Beer Shop, Mother Superior for wines/artisanal nibbles, and Alkemi for beautiful handmade gifts. There is also a great selection of pubs including the Old Nun’s Head, Skehans, and The Man of Kent. It is also home to Nunhead Cemetery, one of London's peaceful 'Magnificent Seven'.

Queens Road Peckham is the nearest station and runs Windrush line (Overground) services on a north-south axis, making Shoreditch and Soho (connection via the Elizabeth Line) accessible in less than half an hour. Nunhead station is a 14-minute walk south and runs services to London Blackfriars in around 18 minutes. There are plenty of bus routes connecting across both south and central London.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 178 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,300 per annum
Ground Rent: £10 per annum
Council Tax Band: B

For more inspiration, why not look to The Modern House's guide to Peckham?