Property description
A glorious country house in London, this exquisite detached villa was designed by C. F. A. Voysey in 1903. Sensitively restored, it is now a remarkable home retaining all of the distinctive elements originally bestowed upon it, re-invented for contemporary 21st century living; balancing comfort, character, practicality and aesthetics.
Important in architectural terms as an Arts and Crafts masterpiece, it is first and foremost a family home, in every sense of the word. Welcoming and warm, light and subtle, it offers the blissful luxury of lateral space; answering the constant cry for another ground floor room and evoking a feeling of belonging. It has a freshness and simplicity that makes it timeless, above fashion or trends. This is a quality which will allow its next owner to enjoy the best of all the city can offer, in a harmonious environment, and yet with the opportunity to mastermind their own changes in decorative terms if they wish, perhaps ushering in another, subtle incarnation for the next generation. It is without doubt versatile enough to adapt to a number of different interior treatments, either more contemporary or classical furnishings, to more colourful textiles or even different wall finishes, although it is quite lovely as it is!
The exterior differs from typical Victorian or Edwardian properties; but does so in a quiet, gentle way which is immensely appealing, referencing the modest beauty of a country cottage, upgraded to provide generous and numerous rooms, beautifully thought out and naturally flowing, with very pleasing proportions and wonderful windows with leaded lights which soften the sun from the west to the perfect degree. A forever family house, it is also a fabulous entertaining space.
FRONT GARDEN 60' x 29' (18.29m x 8.84m). A wide slate-flagged path flanked by manicured Yew hedges leads to the front door. To one side is a beautiful rose garden, with the shrubs confined within four clipped box squares. Three additional Yew hedges surrounding oak tree. To the other side is an off-street parking area for two cars. There is also a side gate.
GROUND FLOOR
ENTRANCE HALL With fitted door mat, doors leading left into secondary hall and right into;
RECEPTION HALL 26'3\" x 13' (8m x 3.96m). Wonderful reception room with original staircase with gentle rise up to the second and third floor. Original cast iron fireplace and hand glazed ceramic tiles with oak mantelpiece and slate hearth, with book shelves to either side. Wide bay with oak window seat, looking onto the rose garden.
DINING/FAMILY ROOM 15'11\" x 13'11\" (4.85m x 4.24m). Original cast iron fireplace and hand glazed ceramic tiles with oak mantelpiece and slate hearth. Stone mullioned window looking onto the rose garden. Oak panelling and flooring.
KITCHEN/DINING/FAMILY ROOM Approx. 24'5\" (7.44m) x 26'9\" (8.15m). Wonderful family kitchen, with a versatile layout and bespoke, unfitted cabinets as well as traditional fitted cupboards. Large working area, with central (moveable) Island'/work-bench/breakfast bar, fitted cupboards with teak worktop and under-mounted ceramic sink with integrated draining grooves beneath side window, concealed integrated dishwasher below, free-standing oak cupboards with green slate top, Aga with hot and medium gas ovens, warming oven, electric oven and grill and four gas burners, set into chimney breast lined with hand glazed ceramic tiles with oak lintel above. Original walk-in larder/pantry with marble slab, lots of shelves and storage. Large floor- standing corner cupboard, concealed cupboard with wire pull-out storage, space for American style fridge/freezer. Window' and wide opening leading through into family area.
Dining/casual family area with deep bay fitted with bench seating, two additional windows, all overlooking the garden and a pair of oak framed French doors to the terrace. Bespoke oak dresser. Wall lights.
DRAWING ROOM 22'6\" x 13'1\" (6.86m x 3.99m). Wide bay with oak window seat overlooking the garden. Original cast iron fireplace and hand glazed turquoise ceramic tiles with slate hearth and painted surround and integrated circular mirror, wall lights above; flanked by vaulted alcoves. Picture rail.
SECONDARY HALL/LAUNDRY Flagstone floor, two sets of oak cupboards beneath the windows. Step down into laundry area with space for washing machine and tumble dryer, fitted shelves. Painted panelling with concealed cupboards for laundry products. Window to the front. Doors to;
CLOAKROOM Vanity cupboard with wooden top and under-mounted hand basin, mirror with wall light above, wc with concealed cistern. Window to the front.
GYM/STUDIO 14'4\" x 8'8\" (4.37m x 2.64m). Overlooking the garden, with a mirrored wall and ballet barre. Fitted linen cupboard.
GARDEN 147'8\" x 59'1\" (45m x 18m). Bath stone terrace leading to a manicured lawn with established borders and a wonderful oak tree. Heated 49' swimming pool with Bath stone surround, lined with pale grey slate creating a subtle effect (and electronically operated integrated pool cover). Brass outside shower fitted into oak pillar. Gate to wide path at the side, with fitted stores housing two Keston central heating boilers, meters, pool controls; outside tap and space for bins and bikes etc.
FIRST FLOOR
LANDING A magnificent window affording a fantastic view of the garden. Two built in cupboards.
BEDROOM 15'9\" x 12'2\" (4.8m x 3.7m). Wide bay window overlooking front garden. Original cast iron fireplace and green hand glazed ceramic tiles with slate hearth. Two built in alcove wardrobes.
BEDROOM 13'11\" x 13'11\" (4.24m x 4.24m). Overlooking front garden. Original cast iron fireplace and midnight blue hand glazed ceramic tiles with slate hearth. Two built in alcove wardrobes.
CLOAKROOM WC with high level cistern, wood panelling, wall light, mosaic tiled floor.
BATHROOM Roll top bath with ball and claw feet, magnificent Victorian style shower above with body sprays (from The Water Monopoly), hand basin set onto painted vanity unit with matching mirror fronted wall cabinet above, heated towel rail. Painted panelling, wall lights, mosaic tiled floor.
BEDROOM 21' x 6'8\" (6.4m x 2.03m). Charming room with the perfect niche for a sleigh or cabin bed to one end, beneath a window looking down the garden. At the other end, a pretty sitting area has a circular window overlooking the garden and wide windows at the side, overlooking the terrace. Set of fitted wardrobes with hidden door into generous eaves-storage area. Hatch to small loft. Additional dressing area with fitted shelving and low level cupboards.
DRESSING ROOM 13'1\" x 9'11\" (3.99m x 3.02m). Overlooking the garden. Extensively fitted with bespoke cupboards, drawers and shelves. Original cast iron fireplace with heart motif. Wall lights. Steps down into;
STUDY 11'7\" x 8'11\" (3.53m x 2.72m). Overlooking the garden. Extensively fitted with bespoke cupboards and bookshelves with library lights.
BEDROOM/SITTING ROOM 13'11\" x 13'1\" (4.24m x 3.99m). Overlooking front garden. Bespoke wood panelling with fitted bookshelves, cupboards and shelves. Original cast iron fireplace with heart motif and slate hearth. Steps down into;
EN SUITE BATHROOM Overlooking front garden. Roll top bath, hand basin, concealed shower with marble tiles, concealed wc., all with brass fittings. Painted panelling, niches with illuminated glass display shelves. Wall lights.
SECOND FLOOR
MASTER BEDROOM 26'3\" x 21'2\" (8m x 6.45m). Overlooking the garden and with views of the common. Original cast iron fireplace and hand glazed ceramic tiles with slate hearth. Bespoke fitted bookshelves. Pair of corner dormer windows with bespoke stained glass. Wide windows with Plantation' shutters. Eaves storage. Wall lights. Door into;
EN SUITE BATHROOM 17'4\" x 14'2\" (5.28m x 4.32m). Roll top bath, his-and-hers hand basins set onto vanity cupboard, wc. Extensive bespoke fitted wardrobes, cupboards and drawers. Windows to side and dormer windows giving glimpses of the garden and the common.
Property Info: