From a penthouse with Art Deco pedigree to a period Notting Hill house with a bohemian twist, here’s a run-down of the finest homes we let last year.
Another year down, another round of stellar homes let. Our spaces might be unique in their own right – whether we’re talking heritage mansion apartments or townhouses reconceived for family life – but they all share the same architectural integrity.
Some were once industrial buildings, now transformed into dynamic – and sweeping – dwellings. Others have been given a bright brush of colour, while some are set in locations that need little introduction (few will fail to recognise the zebra crossing on view from this impressive apartment).
No matter what design direction each of these homes has taken – from the contemporary to the traditional – all prove that lettings properties can be imbued with as much character and comfort as their sales counterparts. Here, we run you through our favourite homes let in 2022.
The Talisman, Chelsea
With its original Crittall windows, vaulted ceilings and sleek geometric lines, The Talisman is up there with one of Britain’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Originally built as a garage, the palatial 5,000 square foot space has been reimagined for 21st century city dwelling by Gumuchdjian Architects. Today it’s a masterstroke in lateral penthouse living, with three bedrooms and an expansive master suite cleverly arranged around an open-plan core.
Oxford Gardens, North Kensington
Gallery-like proportions meet geometric patterns at this North Kensington townhouse with an Art Deco persuasion. At its core, the open-plan kitchen and dining room is a masterstroke in engineering: a double-height void amps up the volume, while floor-to-ceiling glazing offers views out to the manicured garden. An elegant monochrome colour palette adds a touch of drama that’s echoed throughout – from the striking family bathroom to the spacious principal bedroom.
Grove Mews, Hammersmith
A forest green façade hints at what’s to come within this colourful two-bedroom mews house that’s a lesson in laid-back minimalism. Architects Teatum + Teatum have left a bright stamp, from the vermilion red resin floors to the bottle green walls. Birch plywood joinery and double-height ceilings add a lighter touch while innovative features – note the laser-cut steel bridge leading to a mezzanine bedroom and south-facing balcony – heighten the sense of playfulness.
Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill
Spanning four floors of rustic design and salvaged style, there’s a country pile feel to this refined townhouse imagined by Retrouvius. Inside, surfaces have been stripped back and its layout masterfully opened up. Soft plaster pink walls connect the living spaces – from the airy reception room with its Georgian columns and intricate cornicing to the open-plan kitchen where a raw concrete fire mantel provides the focal point.
Queensdale Road, Holland Park
Rental homes don’t need to be all magnolia walls and no character, as this two-bedroom, red brick terrace proves. Its four floors pair bold hues with statement furnishings. The first-floor reception room is where things really wow, with a mottled-mirror chimney breast enhancing the depth of the room and a bay-window seat providing a vantage point over Queensdale Road. Views also feature in the master suite, best enjoyed from the hedge-lined, south-facing terrace.
Neville Court, St John’s Wood
With 25 windows circling its crimson brick mansion block exterior, expect unrivalled views of the iconic Abbey Road Studios from this four-bedroom apartment. Here, lateral living is taken to new heights. On one side, three light-filled reception rooms flow seamlessly into one another. On the other, four tranquil bedrooms and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Artwork by Marc Quinn and Murano chandeliers accentuate the architectural quirks of the space, most noticeably the octagonal Victorian turret.
Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill
The largest garden on Kensington Park Road isn’t the only accolade this Georgian townhouse has to its name. Inside, four light-flooded floors have been elevated for effortless family living. Period accents, from marble fireplaces to decorative cornicing, are illuminated through dual-aspect windows, while balconies keep connections with the outside seamless. Nestled at the end of the expansive garden, a summer house doubles as an additional bedroom.
Well Road, Hampstead
A handsome period framework updated by TG Studio, Well Road is one for connoisseurs of contemporary style. Living spaces across all five floors are united by eye-catching artwork and reams of natural light. Making the most of the footprint on offer, the sleek kitchen, dining and reception room spans the entire ground floor. Upstairs, a second reception space is similarly sociable, with a Carrara marble bar and access to a private terrace complete with Weber barbecue and pizza oven.
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