Oakfield Gardens, London SE19

A thorough scheme of works has radically reappointed this three-bedroom house on the Dulwich Estate in south-east London. Renovated from the foundations upwards by Archmongers, the house now presents a set of bright spaces, where refined material interventions have been masterfully employed. At the rear is a large garden, where tall, sculptural trees around the perimeter lend an enhanced feel of privacy. The house lies on the fringes of Crystal Palace Park and is a short walk from Gipsy Hill station, for rail services to London Bridge and Victoria.



The Tour



Oakfield Gardens is a private, pedestrianised street; this house lies at its near end, with a front garden and adjacent parking.



Entry is via an ochre-painted door into a generous hallway with white integrated storage. Simple terracotta tiles - a rhythmic contrast to the white walls used throughout - begin on arrival, paving through much of the ground floor.



Directly ahead is the kitchen and dining space, where picture windows look out onto mature tree canopies. The kitchen, created by Jacob Alexander, is at one end, its timber-fronted units and stainless-steel counter arranged along one wall. A trio of skylights above flood the space with light, while come evening time, fixed lights illuminate from above. Appliances are integrated and include a Bora hob and Neff oven.



The central staircase subtly divides the space from the living area. Exposed beams span overhead, producing a playfully rustic feel. A large picture window on one side rests above a deep sill - the perfect perch for reading - and a large door slides open to the garden. Broad Douglas fir floorboards from Dinesen have been added underfoot, Osmo-oiled and laid with precision.



Next door is the study, a smart space enveloped in Douglas fir batons, with a garden-facing window and built-in black storage. An umber-framed square cut-through offers a connection from the built-in desk back into the living space.



Accessed from the garden patio is the converted garage, now a garden studio, a well-designed space lined with exposed OSB. Bright and with plenty of storage, it is a flexible space.



A striking staircase ascends to the first floor, its balustrades picked out in a lilac hue. Across the house, no detail has been overlooked; even here, on the first-floor landing, lime-painted architraves elevate this transitional space.



The primary bedroom lies in one corner, its vaulted ceiling and exposed timber frame creating an exaggerated sense of volume. The remaining two bedrooms are equally spacious and have atmospheric exposed trusses overhead. A Juliet balcony behind French doors in the second room captures views over a communal green space.



The shared bathroom is a bright space, with marble floor tiles that spread upwards to line one side of the bath. Coral tapware is a playful touch. Next door is a separate wet room with a rain shower enveloped in more large-format marble tiles.



Outdoor Space



A generous garden extends behind the house, thoughtfully designed but decidedly fuss-free. Mature species, including a productive plum tree, cast pockets of shady respite along the margins of the space.



Near to the house is a slab-laid terrace with plenty of space for outdoor dining.



The Area



Oakfield Gardens is a residential street between Crystal Palace, Sydenham and Norwood, a short walk from Gipsy Hill.



Known for its greenery, the area has plenty of public parks, including Crystal Palace Park, which sits under a 10-minute walk from the house. It has a boating lake, a skatepark, a city farm and even a cluster of dinosaur sculptures. It is also home to an award-winning farmers’ market, open every Sunday with a variety of stalls selling seasonal produce and tasty street food.



There is an Everyman cinema nearby, along with plenty of dining options. Local favourites include Brown & Green, Palazzo, the go-to for Italian dining, coffee spot Four Boroughs, and the beloved Yard Sale Pizza. There are also well-curated vintage and antique stores, perfect for a weekend stroll.



Local state-run schools include Dulwich Wood Primary and Kingsdale Foundation School. Dulwich Prep and Senior, Sydenham High School GDST and Dulwich College are privately run and in easy reach.



Five minutes’ walk away, Gipsy Hill station is the closest; it runs Southern services to Victoria in 25 minutes, via Clapham Junction for Overground services, or to London Bridge in around 26 minutes. The Windrush line can be joined at Crystal Palace station, around 20 minutes away on foot. There are also plenty of bus routes that serve the local area.



Council Tax Band: F