Malvern Road, London Fields, London, E8

Positioned in the Graham Road and Mapledene Conservation Area, the home’s façade is built from yellow London stock brick and punctuated by black-painted sash windows, lending the home a handsome profile. While there are two front doors, the home is best accessed via the side entrance, which opens into a generously proportioned hall. The raised and lower-ground floors have been opened up to create expansive living spaces.

As William Tozer, the architect responsible for the renovation, explains, “The new extension connects the space of the two houses at garden level, and at ground floor level. On the upper levels, however, we decided to maintain the separation between the two houses to respect their historic character.” He continues, “Where the extension meets the lower-ground floors of the original houses, the rooms are preserved in their original form—a dollhouse-like cut through the building, in a nod to the Splitting and Conical Intersect works of the American artist Gordon Matta-Clark.”

The two reception rooms are centred around stately cast-iron fireplaces and retain a wealth of original features, including a recessed bay window, original floorboards and shutters framing the six-over-six glazing. Double doors allow the rooms to be opened up for entertaining or closed off for quieter moments. A study and family bathroom also occupy this floor. Firmly rooted in its surroundings, vibrant floral wallpaper and fabric from House of Hackney accent the rooms.

The kitchen unfolds across the rear of the plan and includes integrated appliances, along with a Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer. Skylights fill the room with natural light, while sliding doors provide a seamless transition between the interior and the garden. William Tozer expands on the intention: “the rooflights of the extension are intended to recall the Skyspace artworks of James Turrell, and are laid out to the dimensions of the spaces between the windows on the Victorian brick elevation above.” Also on this floor is a spacious utility room, neatly tucked away in the rear corner, along with two W/Cs and two rooms previously used as an au pair’s quarters.

The first floor is given over to four double bedrooms, including the principal suite, which has a walk-in wardrobe and separate bathroom. Here, a freestanding bath sits beneath a window overlooking the verdant greenery of the garden. Original features have been retained including fireplaces and floorboards. On the second floor, a further loft bedroom and study with a Juliette balcony have been created, providing additional living space.

Outside, the garden has a wealth of established evergreen planting and mature trees. A patchwork of paved terraces charmingly intermingles with flowering borders, while a large beech tree casts dappled light throughout the space. The new interventions can be fully appreciated from the garden, as William explains: “We used render to reference the traditional Victorian vocabulary of closet wings, and timber decking to elevate a ubiquitous back garden material. These usually background materials are here foregrounded in the new architecture.”

Our friends at All & Nxthing were so inspired by this home they created a new vision for layout that also ties together the upper floors, which can be found in the image gallery.

Moments from London Fields, the house sits within one of Hackney’s most quietly sought-after pockets – a neighbourhood defined by independent food, neighbourhood institutions and an easy proximity to green space.

At its heart is Broadway Market, a short walk away and still one of East London’s most characterful high streets. Independent to its core, the street is lined with long-standing favourites and newer arrivals alike – from neighbourhood bakeries and booksellers to florists, wine bars and the much-loved Saturday market. Nearby Netil Market and the quieter stretch of Wilton Way add to the mix, creating a compact but remarkably rich ecosystem of independent shops, cafés and restaurants.

The area has quietly become one of London’s most compelling food destinations. Pophams and E5 Bakehouse are both close by for morning coffee and pastries, while Climpson & Sons remains a long-standing local institution.

The Prince Arthur serves produce-led cooking and a considered wine list, making it as suited to long Sunday lunches as it is to impromptu midweek dinners. Nearby, The Spurstowe Arms offers a more laid-back but equally beloved setting – with pizzas and generous seasonal plates, good beer and a welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere that spills onto the pavement in the warmer months. Mare Street Market, set within a beautifully restored industrial building, offers an all-day setting for everything from coffee and casual lunches to evening drinks.

In the evenings, the neighbourhood reveals an impressive depth of restaurants – including Elliots, Café Cecilia beside the canal, and Sune, each known for their thoughtful cooking and relaxed atmosphere. Bambi brings a relaxed, late-night energy with natural wines, good food and a lively crowd.

London Fields itself is just moments away, with its much-loved heated Lido, tennis courts and open lawns creating a rare sense of space in the city. The surrounding streets form part of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, meaning through-traffic is limited and the area remains notably calm and residential throughout the day.

Connectivity is excellent. London Fields station sits just across the park, offering swift links into Liverpool Street, while both Haggerston and Hackney Central Overground stations are a short walk away, providing additional routes across the city. From Haggerston, trains run via Highbury & Islington and Whitechapel, giving quick access to the Victoria Line and the Elizabeth Line.

The area is also particularly well regarded for schooling, with a number of highly rated primary and secondary schools within easy reach. Gayhurst Community School (an Ofsted rated Outstanding primary school) is a 3-minute walk away.