Lambeth Road, London SE1

Something of a palimpsest, this sublime five-bedroom, Grade II-listed Georgian house in Lambeth, south London has struck a masterful balance between old and new. It unfolds across a plan of 2,400 sq ft, with five storeys and a thoughtfully curated palette of colours and materials. At the rear, a brilliant extension designed by Grace Fletcher in collaboration with Archer + Braun unfolds onto an oasis of a garden full of rare plants and mature trees. Despite its proximity to the South Bank, Waterloo and Southwark, the house is exceptionally peaceful.

We've written about this house in greater depth for Inigo's Almanac.

The Building

The house is one of a handful of tall Georgian houses along Lambeth Road, all built around the turn of the 19th century. In the mid-20th century, it was lived in by the grandson of the celebrated British architect Edwin Lutyens, who, as an MP, chose the house for its proximity to the Houses of Parliament.

Today, the house is a brilliantly thought-out space, with adaptations made to its historic bones to allow for meaningful modern living. At its rear is a beautifully crafted, Dezeen Award-listed extension designed by Grace Fletcher and Archer + Braun that was featured in the RIBA Journal. Throughout, materials have been chosen to mesh sensitively with its Georgian frame, including reclaimed Ballachulish slate and silver travertine tiling.

The Tour

Set at the end of a neat front garden planted with hawthorn and paulownia, the house's profile hints towards the generous proportions within. Its Georgian façade is formed of richly toned brickwork, tall stucco-dressed sash windows and ornate segmental pedimented piers. Automated electric gates run along the front boundary and open to an off-street parking space. Yorkstone flags with engravings pave up to the refined front door, set within a rusticated stucco surround.

Entry is to a generous hallway, where walls on either side are lined with antique maps of London, one of which is believed to be around 100 years old. This space is grounded by the recently re-sanded and re-stained original pine floorboards that run throughout the house.

Down a short flight of stairs from the entry hall is the wonderful open-plan dining and kitchen room, the contemporary heart of the home with views of the luscious garden beyond. Designed by Grace Fletcher in collaboration with Archer + Braun, its exceptionally well-lit by a bank of roof lights above. For the green-thumbed, a rainwater reclamation system has been ingeniously fitted, perfect for nourishing a favourite ficus or hardy monstera. Materials here have been chosen for their hardiness and perennial appeal: walls are finished with clay plaster, Italian travertine slabs run underfoot and are warmed by underfloor heating. Accoya windows and doors introduce honeyed tones into the scheme and sapele moving furniture brings flexibility.

An original brick wall divides the extension from the kitchen behind. Cabinetry curves around the room and is composed of birch ply with Italian granite countertops; kitchen appliances, including a Rangemaster and Samsung fridge, have been subtly integrated. Beyond is an additional sitting room with 19th-century quarry tiles underfoot.

To the left of the entrance hallway is the double reception room, a generous space with ceilings traced by box cornicing. Twin original sash windows enhanced with sound-reducing thickened glass draw in light from the front, meeting the brightness brought in from additional glazing at the back. Dotted across the room are shell-shaped carvings, adorning the bookcases that run across the room as well as the large central fireplace surround. The front and back have been arranged in an open plan that makes for hassle-free hosting, although its versatility would allow for creative configurations of the space.

A staircase winds through the core of the house, its walls covered in a geometric green and white geometric wallpaper by Hamilton Weston that was designed to echo an earlier 1960s version that remains on the top floor's landing. On the first storey is the main bedroom, where walls are finished in 'Felt' by Paint and Paper Library. Two exceptionally tall sash windows draw in copious amounts of light here, and there is space for a bed to be arranged in of the chimney breast. Storage is provides by cupboards tucked into alcoves on tither side. Opposite, contemporary slatted wardrobes offer ample storage space. Despite its modern feel, the room is filled with period features: cornicing and a dado rail adorn the walls.

Across from here is the house's largest bathroom, complete with a step-in bath and handmade Milagros tiles from Mexico. Exceptionally lovely blue Zellige tiles from Emery et Cie are used in the house's other bathrooms.

Over the top two storeys are four further bedrooms and a second generous bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub. Two bedrooms claim the eaves space, one with an ingenious mezzanine structure for storage, the other with a sumptuously refined en suite bathroom and an electronically operated skylight.

Outdoor Space

A creatively planted garden at the rear makes use of its long plot by division into distinct zones. With its enchanted, woodlandish feel, the spot is an urban haven, planted with an almost entirely evergreen offering of plantings. Supremely tranquil, it backs onto the arboreal Archbishop's Park, once a part of Lambeth Palace's grounds.

The garden has sunny and shaded spots in equal measure, with the canopies of several mature trees, including a Judas tree and a tree of heaven. The current owner has lovingly cultivated several specialist plants, including a tsumugi-shibori variation of fatsia japonica and a host of ferns, that sit adjacent to camelia japonicas planted in the mid-20th century.

A small terrace adjoins the extension at the rear and has an integrated bench to one side, with a whimsical stepping stone pond just behind.

The Area


Exceptionally located in the heart of Lambeth, the house is within walking distance of some of south London's most-loved spots. To the west, three minutes away on foot, is the Garden Museum with its award-winning Garden Café. The museum is extensively involved in plans for the new adjoining 'Lambeth Green', a community space to be co-created by landscape designer Dan Pearson and architect Mary Duggan.

The South Bank, with the Southbank Centre, BFI and The National Theatre, as well as its range of restaurants, bars and cafés, is to the north. Even closer to home is the Lower Marsh Street, where a weekday market has an international offering of delicious food. Greensmiths, an independent grocer and butcher, is located here, with Little Bread Pedlar nearby too. Along The Cut in Southwark are a further variety of eateries, including an outpost of Gail's (with a second branch nearby in Lambeth) as well as The Anchor and Hope, a wonderful pub serving excellent drinks and even better food. The Old Vic and The Young Vic theatres can also be found here, with their varied theatrical programmes.

There are a variety of schooling options in the local area, both private and state-run. King's College Maths School and Notre Dame Girls' School are both close and rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted, with more, including Westminster School, just across the river.

Transport connections are brilliant: Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line) is an eight-minute walk away, while Westminster can be reached in around 15 minutes on foot. Waterloo and Southwark stations are also nearby, for Jubilee Line and/or National Rail Connections. The area is also well-served by bus links, and its central location makes for easy walking distance into central London.

Council Tax Band: F