Ladas Road, London SE27

This two-bedroom Victorian terraced house is sited on Ladas Road in West Norwood, south-east London. Subject to a sensitive and gradual renovation in recent years, it comprises a set of serene living spaces where period features and contemporary interventions meet. The current owners have carefully sourced materials with integrity, over time, to curate a simple and sophisticated profile. A private garden unfolds at the rear, its elevated position meaning that it overlooks only gardens and chimneys from the streets further down the hill.



The Tour



Entry is through a restored olive-green front door into a calming hallway. Reclaimed Spanish encaustic tiles line the floor in a harlequin pattern, contrasting with the surrounding neutral Bauwerk limewash walls.



A refined arch leads to the double reception room, which is grounded with oak flooring. A bay window at the front of the plan is an inviting reading niche with cosy bespoke bench seating. On one side is a fireplace that has been carefully sculpted and softened, its plaster form gently protruding into the living room; within is a wood-burning stove atop Spanish tiles to echo the hall. Stained handmade cherry wood cabinetry punctuates the walls against a backdrop of Farrow and Ball's 'Wimborne White'. A discreet cupboard under the stairs provides extra storage.



The kitchen is fully clad in panelling painted in Little Greene's 'First Light' and grounded with quarry tile flooring from Ketley Brick. Beautiful stained Wenge timber worktops run above handmade hardwood units by Hollington Cabinetry; each is appointed with Corston hardware. A neat bench seat has been added at one end, while open shelving runs atop. A stainless steel sink is complemented with a polished nickel tap from Lusso Stone. East-facing French doors at the far end lead to a private patio garden and ensure the kitchen is bathed in morning light.



There is an original butterfly staircase - typical for the street - at the centre of the plan, which divides the front and rear of the first floor. The owners have elegantly softened its profile to create long stretching curves that continue to the first floor.



The two bedrooms are at the front of the house, separated by the staircase. The principal bedroom is painted in 'Linen Wash' and, in a stroke of continuity, have solid cherry wood wardrobes (also by Hollington Cabinetry). Bespoke wooden shutters offer privacy when desired and are hinged at the side to open fully.



The bathroom is at the opposite end of the plan, with limewashed walls and terracotta-tiled floors. It has a free-standing bath and a separate zellige-tiled shower alcove, complete with a rustic stone shower base. The vanity is a restored and reclaimed table, with a basin from Lusso Stone.



Outdoor Space



The garden is paved for ease of maintenance but remains well planted with raised beds boasting red Acer trees, Japanese grass, Jasmine climbers and Fatsia Japonica, as well as evergreens and wildflowers alongside bench seating with storage beneath.



A renovated and glazed timber framed lean-to offers a serene reading nook and is painted in 'Pollen' from Atelier Ellis. Café curtains from East London Cloth have been added to match, with customised seating and further storage beneath.



The Area



Ladas Road is moments from central Norwood, which has a brilliant offering of places to eat and shop. The lovingly restored 1960s Picturehouse Cinema (used as a location for A Clockwork Orange) is a particularly popular spot, as is the Shala, a much loved yoga centre, and the South London Theatre, which runs a diverse and busy programme throughout the year. The West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre is a community hub offering an array of classes



On the first Sunday of every month, the West Norwood Feast street food market takes place, with over 100 stalls present. The Black Pig Test Kitchen - famed for their Ciabatta sandwiches in Borough Market - serve takeaway a few streets away. Other good spots for food and drink locally include Badger Badger, Blackbird Bakery, Four Hundred Rabbits Pizza, The Good Drinker and Gipsy Hill Brewery.



The Great North Wood pub runs life drawing classes and weekly jazz concerts, while The Book and Record Bar runs various nights including a monthly soul night. Portico Gallery hosts dance nights and community events. A mile to the north is The Railway Tavern, celebrated for its Sunday roast. The much-loved Electric Cafe is held as one of the area’s best spots for a full English; other breakfast favourites include Pintadera (with a fruit and veg stall three days a week), Sweet Carolina and Otter. Cenci is a much loved vintage shop tucked away behind an unassuming façade and there's a much-loved Floral Hall garden centre to the north of the station.



There are numerous green spaces including Norwood Park, and Norwood Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' and one of the first Victorian cemeteries to open in the city. Crystal Palace Park is also easily reachable and has a huge variety of offerings, including a Victorian dinosaur trail, café, playground, boating and fishing lakes, market, skate park, Crystal Palace Bowl outdoor music venue and sports centre.



There are abundant options for good schools in the area including Downsview Primary and Nursery School, St Joseph's RC Junior School, St Joseph's RC Infant School for younger children, and St Joseph's College at senior level.



West Norwood station is half a mile from the house, with direct trains to London Bridge in 24 minutes and Victoria in 22 minutes. Tulse Hill Station is a mile away and runs fast Thameslink services into Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras.



Council Tax Band: D