Colville Terrace, London

“Glazed partitions allow light to carry seamlessly from one room to another”

This two-bedroom garden apartment sits on Colville Terrace, within one of Notting Hill’s famed painted houses. Honouring its joyful setting, off Portobello Road, the apartment is filled with bold colours and rich materials that epitomise its contemporary renovation, courtesy of Rise Architects. The plan makes the best use of the home’s lateral layout, creating a natural flow between rooms, with excellent daylight throughout and a sheltered garden.

The Tour

Colville Terrace sits within the labyrinthine of Victorian streets in the heart of Notting Hill, celebrated for their leafy, colourful aspects. This particular house is no exception, washed with lilac-coloured paint and white stucco detailing.

The apartment is accessed behind a white-painted wrought-iron gate and down a set of steps to the lower-ground level. Dense, verdant shrubs provide a natural screen from the street, and there is space for storing bikes.

From the front door, the home’s contemporary palette is immediately introduced. A deep ochre-yellow coats the entrance walls, with a chalky black skirting board and architrave as a decisive counterpoint. Oak herringbone parquet runs underfoot above underfloor heating throughout. A long, lateral corridor continues to the main living space at the rear. Here, moulded panelling on the walls nods to the building’s period fabric.

Beyond lies the open-plan kitchen and living space, a particularly bright space thanks to wide glazing on the south-facing elevation. A considered palette of white-painted walls, oak floors and a white-painted Crittall door amplifies the brightness. A sliding door neatly conceals a study.

Alongside the living room lies a beautifully composted galley kitchen, with rich oak cabinets – their amber pigments enhanced by skylights overhead – marble countertops and Bosch appliances. A door opens onto a serene walled garden.

At the front of the house lies the main bedroom, with a wide bay window that draws in natural light while outdoor planting provides privacy from the street. Built-in wardrobes provide plenty of storage.

The second bedroom has views out to the garden, and a shared bathroom sits just off the corridor with a shower over the bath and green Kit Kat style tiles.

Outdoor Space

A south-facing garden extends from the kitchen, part paved and part laid to lawn. Brick walls border either side, along with dense shrubbery, lending the space an intensely secluded and peaceful feel. The space allows for outdoor seating and dining, and the patio has been laid with permeable brick for natural water drainage.

The Area

Colville Terrace is in the heart of Notting Hill, just moments from the vibrant Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove. The neighbourhood is renowned for its eclectic mix of independent boutiques, world-class dining, and iconic cultural landmarks. Nearby Golborne Road features artisanal bakeries, cafes, and beloved eateries, while Portobello Market provides an ever-changing selection of antiques, vintage fashion, and fresh produce.

The area is also rich in green spaces, with the expansive lawns and formal gardens of Kensington Gardens and Holland Park within comfortable walking distance.

Excellent transport links are provided by Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate Underground stations, offering swift connections across central London and straightforward access out towards Heathrow Airport.

Tenure: Share of Freehold | Lease Length: Approx. 963 years remaining | Council Tax F