St Stephens Gardens, Bayswater, London, W2

Behind a stucco-fronted conversion, this two-bedroom apartment is a considered, contemporary affair imagined by architecture and design studio 23 + GS / 318. From the quiet street, ascend to the building’s third floor. There’s tonal juxtaposition as you move from the entrance corridor – finished with dark plaster and marble – into the bright apartment. A wide hallway sets a stylish impression with soft pink walls and pale wood floors, a calming palette employed throughout the home.

Through double glass doors, enter a spacious open-plan kitchen and reception room. At one end, minimalist furnishings make for a relaxed living area, whilst storage is subtly concealed beneath a full-width marble bench. Centering the room, a wooden dining table seats six. At the other end, the kitchen is all sleek grey cabinetry and high-spec integrated appliances. It’s a space that uplifts as it soothes, with reams of sunlight filtered through a series of sash windows.

The principal bedroom suite is a picture of minimalism, with whitewashed walls, understated furnishings and integrated wardrobes. Its en suite bathroom is wrapped in dark oversized tiles, setting a modish scene for the dual vanity and freestanding tub. There’s access to two balconies from the bedroom and bathroom for a breath of fresh air. The guest bedroom continues the pared-back aesthetic, leading directly onto a decked roof terrace – with an enviable south-facing position. Completing the home, an additional contemporary shower room, cloakroom, and access to the namesake communal gardens.

Location:
St. Stephens Gardens has a best-of-both-worlds appeal, enjoying the quiet serenity of its residential location, but with fantastic proximity to the rest of Notting Hill. Westbourne Grove is lined with celebrated eateries, namely Farmacy, Granger & Co. and Ottolenghi. Groceries from Daylesford Organic Farm or Planet Organic. For a long weekend stroll, Holland Park and Kensington Gardens are just 15 minutes away. One of the neighbourhood’s most coveted pubs, The Cow, is just around the corner.

Westbourne Park (6 mins)
Notting Hill Gate (12 mins)