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, worked with a subtle contemporary craft.
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. Its brick façade and sash windows are typical of the period, as are the timber floors, while the street itself has evolved into one of the capital’s most cherished enclaves, best known today for its creative community and thriving independents.
A deep green door opens to a generous hallway with original floorboards and bespoke joinery, setting the tone for the spaces beyond. 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 house opens into a kitchen and dining space that’s both functional and atmospheric, with a focus on light and material. The kitchen was conceived by the owners and built by a conservation carpenter, with cabinetry in English fruit wood, Italian marble worktops, Miele appliances and hand-glazed tiles from C. Emery. The floor is laid in reclaimed Portuguese stone. Above the dining area, 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, enclosed in brick and softened by mature planting. 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. The room also features built-in cabinetry and Lefroy Brooks fittings, chosen for their timeless character and attention to detail.
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.
Natural textures lend warmth throughout, from the rattan blinds and handmade hooks to the gentle curve of the staircases. Above, a lined attic provides generous additional storage, accessed via a pull-down ladder. 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, Leila’s and the hidden corners of Ezra Street. 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.
