Leighton Gardens, London, NW10

Set on a quiet street in Kensal Rise, the traditional 1870s façade is complete with a turreted roofline, stock brickwork and ornate columns framing the windows. Stepping inside, you’re welcomed by chequerboard tiling that leads into a reception room – characterised by natural textures and sunlight. The exposed brick chimney draws the eye, flanked by bespoke bookshelves and cupboards. Bouclé armchairs and a dusty-rose sofa settle over an antique rug, while natural light pours in through the large bay window.

At the heart of the home lies the open-plan kitchen and dining room, which unfolds with natural slate floors across a spacious extension. A bespoke central island by Britannia, wrapped in square artisan tiling and topped with reclaimed wood worktops, forms a warm focal point. The space is bathed in natural light throughout the day, thanks to its south-facing aspect and thoughtfully placed skylights in the side return. From here, head into a cosy living room – complete with a log burner.

The principal bedroom continues the home’s textural dialogue, with an exposed brick chimney breast and original timber floors, pale walls and generous bay windows that flood the space with light. Three further bedrooms are arranged across the first and second floors, echoing the same understated palette. A study, illuminated by a skylight, provides a tranquil space for home working. The bathrooms make a statement with a punchy, industrial edge: slate underfloor heating, square tiling, glass-fronted showers, exposed pipe taps and reclaimed wood surfaces.

Sustainability is woven quietly into the fabric of the house, from original flooring and restored materials to walls finished with chemical-free paint or plaster. Behind the scenes, an intelligent trio of energy sources – solar panels, a woodburner and gas – work together to heat both the home and the hot-water system with remarkable efficiency. Plus, a discreet MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system continuously draws in fresh, filtered air while redistributing warmth that would otherwise be lost.

Location
Kensal Rise is a vibrant neighbourhood where creatives, commuters and families come together. Just moments from the coveted Chamberlayne Road – voted London’s ‘hippest street’ by Vogue – make your way to local favourites Wildcard Coffee, D’BROA, Mr. Fish or The Salisbury Wine Store. On the weekend, spend afternoons ambling round Queen’s Park, with its tennis courts and petting zoo, before stocking up on artisanal produce at the Sunday Farmers Market. Evening dining is best at Sacro Cuore or Milk Beach, before a cocktail at Parlour and films at the coveted volunteer-run picturehouse, The Lexi.