Martell Road, London SE21

This exceptional two-bedroom maisonette is laid out across the top floors of a handsome Victorian villa in West Dulwich. Extending over 1,000 sq ft, the apartment has been the subject of an exacting renovation in which fine natural materials were added. A beautifully arranged private rear garden allows for outdoor entertaining, while nearby West Dulwich offers neighbourhood cafés, delis, pubs and green spaces. Tulse Hill and West Dulwich stations provide access to central London and beyond.



The Tour



Set back from the pavement, the imposing Victorian villa within which the apartment sits cuts a striking image with its grey-blue façade and, neo-Gothic-inspired arched windows. Entry to the apartment is via an immaculately presented, shared hallway on the raised ground floor and up a private staircase leading to the front door.



Within, a generous open-plan kitchen/dining room extends across the full width of the building’s plan with two pretty sash windows overlooking the quiet street beyond. The space is cleverly arranged to allow ample room for cooking, storage and entertaining. Wall-mounted oak-fronted cabinets extend almost to the ceiling, the warmth of the timber offset by crisp white quartz worktop. Cream ceramic tiles form a backsplash that provides a gentle reflection of natural light. There is a large island with cupboard doors painted in 'De Nimes' by Farrow and Ball. Integrated appliances are by Bosch and include an induction hob, full fridge-freezer, oven and a dishwasher.



The dining area is equipped with sleek built-in storage for table linens and other household necessities, while two small alcove shelves sit in the old chimney breast, perfect for displaying ceramics and cookbooks. As throughout the rest of the home, tactile lime-washed oak flooring laid in a chevron pattern runs underfoot here. Attractive graphite-coloured cast-iron radiators warm the space in the cooler months, while shutters provide shade and privacy. Open to this space is the sitting room, set at the rear of the plan and featuring a pretty fireplace and mantle at its centre.



Upstairs are two double bedrooms, with the larger set to the rear, overlooking the gardens below. A large bathroom and separate shower room serve the bedrooms and have been sensitively decorated with an array of Fired Earth and Mandarin Stone tiles and fixtures by ABI Interiors.



Outside Space



The private rear garden is neatly fenced and offers a sense of remove from the world beyond. A raised timber deck provides the perfect space from which to enjoy the summer sun, while plants including carefully cultivated wild grasses, climbers and electric purple verbena add visual interest interspersed throughout the garden. Soft pea gravel introduces another textural dimension.



The Area



Martell Road is a quiet residential street ideally positioned at the heart of West Dulwich, surrounded by green open spaces and excellent dining options. This includes Volcano Coffee Works just a few doors down, the popular Rosendale Pub at the end of the street, and Heritage Dulwich which is a short walk away.



The centre of West Dulwich and West Norwood, Knights Hill are home to a good selection of independent restaurants, delis cafés and pubs, while to the south, Gispy Hill Brew has a lively taproom serving fresh brews made in-house.



The green expanses of Dulwich Park, Belair Park and Sydenham Woods are on the doorstep, while Crystal Palace Park is just a little further to the south. The lively Dulwich Village is a leisurely stroll or quick cycle away from the house. Dulwich Picture Gallery, England’s first purpose-built art gallery designed by the Regency architect Sir John Soane, runs a brilliant programme of exhibitions and events and has a delightful café. The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill are also easily reached.



There are well-renowned schools locally, in both the state and private sectors. Dulwich College, Dulwich Prep and Kingsdale Foundation School are a short walk from the house, while Alleyn’s and James Allen’s Girls’ School are both easily reached by car.



Both West Dulwich and Tulse Hill stations are a 15-minute walk from the home, with West Dulwich running 13-minute railway services to London Victoria and Tulse Hill offering direct routes to London Bridge in 20 minutes and Blackfriars in 16 minutes. The area is also well served by buses, running round-the-clock journeys across the capital.



Council Tax Band: D