Care of a considered renovation, this maisonette in west London packs a punch. It occupies the top two floors of a handsome terraced house, with a private terrace, exposed original features, and two bedrooms within a discrete loft extension. It’s set towards the end of Bramber Road, a quiet, residential street that affords easy access to both town and country, with the amenities of both West Kensington and Fulham close at hand.
Setting the Scene
The house is part of a smart terrace that runs along Bramber Road, reducing in height as it nears leafy Normand Park. Finished in neat London stock brick with white stucco detailing, the houses are typical of this part of west London. Belying its modest height, four storeys are cleverly concealed behind this house’s pretty façade, of which this maisonette occupies the topmost two floors. For more information, please see the History section.
Grand Tour
The undeniable heart of the home is an open-plan living and kitchen space that balances rustic charm with an elegant, refined finish. Broad timber flooring runs throughout, its warm tones echoed by an expanse of exposed ochre brick along one aspect, which, reflecting the exterior façade, is offset by white architraves.
An eye for detail and design is particularly evident here, with its considered colour palette, well-equipped kitchen and generous integrated storage. The convivial space is further animated by large sash windows that frame views out towards Normand Park and draw in light throughout the year. Making the most of the plan, a convenient and compact WC is tucked alongside the utility cupboard in the hallway, which in turn leads out onto a private terrace to the rear.
Upstairs, the primary bedroom is both comfortable and practical, with its generous bank of bespoke joinery. The second bedroom, painted ‘Green 05’ by Lick, is a flexible space currently configured as a study. Finished to the same exacting standard, the contemporary bathroom is a bright and open space with a bath ensconced in light blue tiles.
Outdoor Space
To the rear, an adaptable terrace has space for a table, chairs, and potted plants.
Out and About
Bramber Road straddles the border between Fulham and West Kensington, benefitting from easy access to both. The riverside and its cosy historic pubs are within easy reach; Sunday afternoons can be spent strolling from The Dove to The Rutland Arms and on to The Crabtree. For an utterly elevated Sunday roast, the rightfully venerated Harwood Arms in Walham Grove is a 10-minute walk away. Slightly further afield is the Michelin-starred stalwart River Cafe.
The neighbourhood has plenty of green spaces, including Normand Park, named after the mansion that once occupied the site (which, in turn, was named after the ‘no man’s land’ on which it was built). For tennis fans, the maisonette’s proximity to the Queen’s Club ensures resident’s tickets during the season.
Stations at West Kensington, West Brompton and Fulham Broadway are all under 15 minutes away on foot, providing access to the Piccadilly and District Lines and the Overground for fantastic links east and west.
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 959 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £1,500 per annum
Ground Rent: N/A
Council Tax Band: C
History
The history of West Kensington traces back to the late Middle Ages when the area, initially part of the glebe lands of Fulham rectory, was used for archery practice. By the early 17th century, the land was sold for building, and a village emerged around North End Lane, becoming one of the largest settlements in the manor of Fulham by the mid 19th-century.
The opening of North End station in 1874 led to the establishment of the West Kensington estate by builders William Henry Gibbs and John P Flew. They built over 1,200 homes but faced challenges like depressed market conditions, lack of access routes, and the company going under in 1885.
Despite setbacks, West Kensington’s recovery was driven by its popularity among artists and writers, and in the early 20th century, developers built mansion blocks to accommodate increasing demand, including the neighbouring Queen’s Park Gardens.
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