Holland Park Road

Blending the past with the present. This four-bedroom, late-Victorian home is a sophisticated picture of original and contemporary design, bound by high ceilings, natural light and decorative fixtures.

Tucked away in a quiet cluster of residential streets in Holland Park lies an emblem of Victorian architectural history. A collection of eight properties were designed in the 1880s by George Aitchison, the reputable architect behind Leighton House, found just a minute away along the same street; these buildings were created for Pre-Raphaelite artists – the ‘Holland Park Circle’ – to be used as studio houses. Today, they bear witness to the fine-tuned elegance of late-Victorian architecture. Throughout this four-bedroom home, there’s a harmonious conversation between the past and present; carefully maintained original features set the scene for contemporary additions and modern technologies that are tailor-made for family life.

The home is accessed through a private gateway and opens into a bright entrance hallway, laid with Victorian replica geometric floor tiles. A door leads into the formal dining room, with a handsome look composed of original parquet floors and muted teal walls. A mid-century rosewood table is complemented with Paolo Buffa chairs and sits beneath an eye-catching pendant light, while natural light pours in through dual sash windows. There’s the first of two reception rooms next door – a cosy space that’s wrapped in beautifully crafted bookshelves. Double doors open into the Poliform kitchen, which has a fantastic sense of volume with high ceilings, large glazing and a skylight. At one end, a breakfast table is kept laid-back with Eames style chairs. At the other, smooth marble creates a stylish effect across the surfaces and splashback, with culinary functionality ensured by high-tech appliances.

A staircase with original balustrades leads upstairs to the second reception room, which is introduced through bi-folding glass doors. Matching the ground floor, original parquet floors span the space while whitewashed walls lend an atmosphere of calm. The eye is drawn to the capacious 12ft high artist studio space and a 19th-century crystal chandelier that hangs in the vertical drop. Beyond the seating area, French windows open onto a private balcony. Complete with decorative cast-iron railings and dining furniture, it overlooks the peaceful gardens below.

The principal bedroom suite is also located on the first floor and matches the refined feel of the entire property. Muted colours span the walls, curtains and furniture, while a pair of sash windows diffuse soft light throughout. Its en suite bathroom is a modish affair, with mosaic tiles that wrap around an indulgent bathtub. Spread across the first and second floors are the additional three bedrooms – one of which enjoys an en suite, while the others are served by a family bathroom. Each space is refreshing with reams of natural light, neutral tones and plenty of storage.