A quintessential East London home on Columbia Road, this two-bedroom house is a celebration of material integrity and considered design. Reimagined by its creative owners, the house brings together period detail and natural materials. Built in the mid-19th century, the house forms part of a handsome Victorian terrace, originally home to the artisans and market traders who shaped the neighbourhood’s early character.
A deep green door opens to a hall with the original floorboards and bespoke joinery. Charlotte Perriand’s Applique à Volet Pivotant wall lights for Nemo punctuate both the first and ground floor hallways, under a roof light that adds extra illumination. From here, the vast open-plan living space is revealed: well proportioned, with tall shuttered sash windows that bring in light and frame the view onto Columbia Road. Reclaimed stone fireplaces at either end speak to the house’s 19th-century origins.
At the rear, the kitchen and dining room open to the garden. The kitchen was designed by the owners, with cabinetry in solid cherry made by Neil Ramshaw of NHR Joinery, a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen. Worktops are in Italian marble, the floor in leathered Portuguese travertine, with underfloor heating, and hand-glazed tiles from C. Emery and Miele appliances throughout.
A fully glazed roof draws in natural light throughout the day, enhancing the sense of openness. At the far end, bespoke floor-to-ceiling Crittall doors open directly onto a verdant courtyard garden, planted with oleander, tree ferns and acers. There’s a relaxed, bohemian quality to the ground floor, with the breezy indoor-outdoor feeling of a Los Angeles home cleverly integrated into a traditional Victorian terrace.
Upstairs are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom sits at the front of the house, with tall shuttered sash windows overlooking Columbia Road. It’s a calm and well-proportioned space, with original floorboards underfoot and a painted fireplace providing a quiet focal point. The second bedroom, to the rear, is more intimate: a peaceful, inward-facing room that looks out towards the courtyard garden, with plentiful built-in storage discreetly integrated into the space.
The main bathroom, originally a third bedroom, has been reconfigured to create a space of unexpected volume and elegance. A freestanding clawfoot bath sits on wide timber boards, surrounded by Bert & May tiles in soft, chalky tones. A second bathroom is positioned beside the rear bedroom and includes a walk-in shower behind a glazed enclosure, with tiled walls in a matching palette. Both bedrooms benefit from a dedicated bathroom, comfortable and flexible for guests or everyday living, each fitted with Lefroy Brooks taps and bathware.
Above, the attic is reached by a pull-down ladder and currently used for significant storage. It has been prepared for conversion, with head height increased and an opening left in the bathroom to allow for a staircase. The floor is boarded out and the roof insulated ready for boxing out, with power routed to the space. The house is also fitted with a Banham security and lock system for discreet peace of mind.
The house sits on Columbia Road, a street known for its long-standing community of independent shops and galleries. Just outside the door are some of the area’s best-loved neighbourhood spots, including Brawn, Campania and Tiella. Redchurch Street and Broadway Market are close at hand, as are the open green spaces of London Fields and Haggerston Park. Hoxton Overground is a short walk away, with Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green stations providing fast connections to the City and central London.
These particulars are intended as a general guide only. All areas, measurements and distances are approximate. The text, photographs and floor plans are for guidance and may not depict the property in its current state. Thirzie Hull Ltd has not tested any services, appliances, equipment or fittings, and prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves by inspection or survey. Any fixtures, fittings or furniture not specifically itemised in these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor. These particulars do not form part of any contract.
