Arbery Road, London E3

This considered three-bedroom terraced house lies within Bow’s Medway Conservation Area and has been sensitively restored by its current owners, who have layered the building’s Victorian fabric with contemporary interventions. A new palette of warm white and terracotta sweeps through the plan, and expansive concertina doors open from the kitchen to garden patios, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.

The Tour

Sitting behind a London plane tree, the house has a smart façade of stock brick and stucco detailing washed in 'Paper and String' by Atelier Ellis. Its front door is set underneath a moulded architrave and topped with a reeded glass transom light.

Entry is to a hall area where original timber floorboards run underfoot, walls are washed in ‘Cass’ by Atelier Ellis and light switches are porcelain from Bakelite - a pared-back palette that extends throughout.

The ground floor is largely open plan, fostering a sense of volume and visual connection between the living spaces. At the front of the plan is the living room, which has a trio of large sash windows within a wide bay. An original cornice and ceiling rose crown the room while a fireplace surround with moulded corbels and a rectangular shelf lies on one side.

Matching Victorian details adorn the dining area, which sits in the centre of the plan. Light filters through a pair of glazed doors that open to the side patio.

Beyond is the light-filled kitchen, which has large concertina doors that open to garden patios; grid-laid terracotta tiles flow across both spaces, marrying the inside and out. A row of white-painted cabinetry has a Corian countertop, as well as a five-ring gas hob, an integrated oven and a sink. Open shelves float above to provide additional storage. The ground floor also has cellar access and is home to a WC with a terrazzo hand basin.

A staircase rises to the first floor, where there are three double bedrooms and a bathroom. The primary bedroom is at the front of the plan with a trio of round-headed sash windows. Built-in wardrobes are fitted in alcoves either side of the chimney breast, and matching joinery provides an elegant headboard.

Two further bedrooms have south-facing windows that frame views of the patio garden. The bathroom is finished with planes of neat square tiles from Domus, Douglas fir joinery and a Hanex countertop. There is a bathtub fitted with a rain-style shower and brass fixtures.

Outdoor Space

A south-facing patio garden wraps around the rear of the house, opening from the kitchen and the dining area. Terracotta tiles spread underfoot, and two distinct spaces are cleverly defined by a raised bed planted with a blossoming plum tree.

Scented jasmine climbs up the white-painted garden walls and there is plenty of space for a table and chairs or pots of herbs and flowers.

The Area

A thriving range of traditional places to eat and drink remain in this pocket of east London. Neighbourhood favourites include The Lord Tredegar, Mae + Harvey, Breadery and People’s Wine Roman Road. Slightly further afield to the east are Polentina and Inis. The Chisenhale Gallery, The Whitechapel Gallery and The Young V&A Museum are all nearby, as is York Hall leisure centre and the independent Genesis Cinema.

The house is excellently positioned for many of east London’s finest parks, including Mile End Park, Victoria Park and Bethnal Green Gardens. Victoria Park’s 200 acres of green space encompasses a vast boating lake, several activity spaces, tennis courts and the ever-popular Pavilion café at the heart of the park. There is also a delicious food market in the park on Saturdays and Sundays.

On the other side of the park is Victoria Park Village with a wonderful selection of organic cafés, shops and delis. Local favourites Ginger Pig butchers, The Deli Downstairs, Jonathan Norris fishmongers, Pophams café and a branch of Gail’s.

Mile End station is a 10-minute walk from the house and runs Central, District and Hammersmith and City lines. It provides a quick connection to Whitechapel station, where the Elizabeth line runs services to Heathrow Airport in 30 minutes.

Council Tax Band: E

Please note that the sellers of this property have a family connection to an employee of The Modern House Ltd.