Bowater Place, Blackheath, London, SE3

Down a quiet street in Blackheath, the unassuming facade of a Victorian house conceals a strikingly modern interior that confounds expectations.

Brickworks Says - Small but perfectly formed, this architect-designed home has had love and clever ideas poured into every inch; it's a masterclass in how to design a compact space for the necessities of contemporary life.??

On the ground floor, there is a double reception room with clearly defined zones for dining and relaxing. Care is evident in the balanced use of the colours and materials, which helps tie everything together: column radiators blend with the walls, with darker accents mirrored in the architectural lighting and cast iron fireplace surround –– it's a working fireplace, too.

??At the back, the kitchen is pared-back, light and cool. There are Scandinavian and Japanese influences here, and while it may look simple, getting this aesthetic just right takes a lot of skill. We love the birch plywood 'frames' repeated around the cooking station, picture window and sink. And while everything here is beautiful, the owners have consciously created a space that attracts your focus to the ever-changing views outside. ???

There's a sense of privacy and calm upstairs, where you find a bathroom befitting a hotel alongside two immaculate bedrooms. As elsewhere, everything on this upper floor is linked together with a consistent calming palette.??The garden merits a special mention. Carefully landscaped and beautifully planted, the feel is unmistakably zen-like with Acers, grasses and stones. Yet this has been neatly combined with English staples, including a mature silver birch. There are places to pause, relax or eat. Plus, 'hidden' built-in storage under the bench. ??

Blackheath is an area that has flown under the radar in the past, but it's become an increasingly coveted spot as people are drawn to the village-like feel and handsome, terraced streets. The heath has historically been the focal point, but Tranquil Vale, the delightfully named high street, will be the main draw for many. Lined with an assortment of independent stores, you can find anything you want along this stretch.

The Owners Say - We fell in love with the charm of the house, the proportions of space and the quality of natural light. As architects, we have taken joy in sensitively designing a calm, free-flowing, welcoming home that takes full advantage of views of the serene back garden.

Through carefully considered installations and bespoke joinery, we aimed to craft a Scandi-style home using birch ply to bring warmth and nature into the house, with muted tones as a backdrop. We love to cook, and the kitchen has been created with ample space and storage that offers us framed views of the garden with a window seat where we like to watch the world go by…

The garden is one of our favourite spaces and has been a labour of love. We have spent many days planting, caring and watching our garden grow.

We chose the area because of its sense of community and locally run shops, which are a stone's throw away. Favourites include 'Brothers Bakery', which is excellent for a morning coffee, and the Butchers for a Sunday roast.

Points To Consider - Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):
Current Energy Rating E. Potential Energy Rating C. 

Council Tax:
The property falls into Band D (£1,920 in 2023/24) in the borough of Greenwich.

Utilities:
Current monthly costs are approximately £78 for gas, £50 for electricity, and £30 for water. These figures naturally change seasonally during the year.

Transport:
Parking is free on the street. When you want to use public transport, getting around is easy: Westcombe Park and Blackheath station are a short walk away with quick access to London Bridge or a short bus ride to North Greenwich and the Jubilee Line.

Onward plans:
The owners are looking to move closer to family and are actively looking.

Anything else:
The home has been conceived by the architect owners, Alex & Ella. As keen gardeners, they often drive to the countryside in Kent, which is only 15 minutes away by car, to visit their favourite garden centre, 'Coolings', at Rushmore Hill, Knockholt.

The Legal Bit - While we strive to create true-to-life photographs, floor plans and descriptions, our marketing material is only a guide. Purchasers should always visit in person, ask relevant questions and triple-check details. Brickworks takes our duty of care incredibly seriously and takes all reasonable steps to ensure all presented information is correct. However, we sometimes rely on the accuracy of the information provided to us by the seller and others. Also, please note that we often round up/down total floor plan measurements and/or use approximate distances.