Englefield Road, London

“Colour and form are interwoven to wonderful effect”

This impeccable four-bedroom home is arranged over four storeys of a handsome Victorian townhouse in De Beauvoir, north London. A sublime renovation by Waldo Studio adopts an expressive design approach, pairing a soft-toned selection of colours with a versatile, high-specification material palette, using the home’s soaring original volumes as an ever-present backdrop. A beautifully considered garden landscaped by Greensmith Design extends at the rear of the house and is bookended by a wonderful studio annexe with a fifth bedroom.

The Tour

Set in a peaceful, leafy part of De Beauvoir Town, the houses on Englefield Road are distinguished by their clean-lined brick-and-stucco façades. For this particular home, a large private driveway fronts the maroon-coloured front door, opening to an entrance hall on the raised ground floor.

Inside, the space is spectacular: abundant light is brought in and enhanced by a pastel-hued colour scheme, employed throughout to elevate restored or reinstated traditional Victorian details. The entrance hall introduces the joyful design with a beautiful chequered floor from Olde English, and ‘Flint’ by Little Greene rising to the ceiling height against the vivid tones of Little Greene’s ‘Livid’ and ‘Callaghan’ on the skirting, architraves, and arch trims.

Two spacious reception rooms sit on either side of the hall; one is currently used as a bedroom with an en suite shower room. In the reception room, dark-smoked oak floors by Havwoods run underfoot, and a warm peach hue washes the walls under the light of a tall sash window. A custom-designed, honed marble fireplace by Waldo Studio commands attention.

Perhaps the home’s most arresting feature is Waldo Studio’s bespoke, red-stained veneer maple staircase that sinuously winds down to the open-plan kitchen-living space on the floor below (with its own integrated desk). It strikes a well-balanced contrast with the room’s soft yellow theme, namely ‘Pale Georgian’ by Paint and Paper Library.

At one end of the room is the kitchen with its wonderfully tactile combination of Carrara marble, Valchromat, Richlite recycled-paper composite, Pyrolave and masur-birch veneer. Playful splashback tiles were designed in conjunction with Victorian Ceramics to complement the colour scheme, while a spacious island provides plenty of space for entertaining. Noraplan Uni rubber flooring runs underfoot. At the other end, the living area is grounded by a wood-burning stove and connects to the garden through expansive glazed doors.

From the raised ground floor, a staircase finished in custom wallcovering rises to the bedrooms on the upper floors. The principal bedroom occupies the entire first floor and is beautifully composed: the soothing tones of Little Greene’s ‘China Clay’ coat the walls and a distinctive Pyrolave fireplace by Waldo Studio adds visual interest. A designated dressing room has bespoke floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, and the en suite features a pearwood-clad bathtub, a walk-in shower, Olde English floor tiles, and gradient green wall tiles by Waldo Studio and Victorian Ceramics.

Outdoor Space

The garden is lovingly landscaped, thoughtfully planted, and well-maintained. There are numerous places to sit or dine, and mature shrubs and trees, including a fig tree, define the borders.

A studio annexe bookends the garden, with a spacious, versatile room, a sauna, and a separate WC.

The parking area in front of the house has an EV charging point and bike storage.

The Area

Englefield Road is perfectly positioned for the pubs, restaurants, shops and cafes of De Beauvoir, Dalston, and Islington. The Regent’s Canal lies just beyond and is home to the inimitable Towpath, providing a gateway to the rest of London, and the shops, galleries and restaurants of Shoreditch beyond. New River Walk is approximately a 17-minute walk from the apartment, a tranquil man-made waterway with mature trees with plenty of benches to sit and read. Nearby lie Highbury Fields, and the historic De Beauvoir Square with its beautiful rose garden.

The Scolt Head and De Beauvoir Arms are both excellent and close to the house. The De Beauvoir Deli has two outlets a few moments away and is a firm favourite with locals. For entertainment, Dalston’s arts venues, including the Arcola Theatre, are within walking distance to the east. To the west, Union Chapel is a thriving community hub and a working church with a full roster of comedy and music events.

Essex Road rail station is a 15-minute walk away, with regular services to Moorgate in approximately seven minutes. Dalston Junction is a 10-minute walk with the Windrush Line.