History Lessons: the best period homes for sale
The hallmarks of older homes, from beautiful bay windows to grand proportions, have never gone out of style – but they’re even better when brought right up to date with dynamic and sensitive interventions. Here we’re highlighting seven revamped period homes for sale, with delightful original details that are in dialogue with contemporary touches – from clever built-in storage systems to light-filled extensions. More of a traditionalist when it comes to historic homes? Check out our sister agency Inigo for more beautiful living spaces for sale that stand the test of time.
Kinnoul Mansions, Rowhill Road, London E5
In this striking two-bedroom apartment in Hackney, the Edwardian features of the magnificent Jacobean Revival mansion block sing with the industrial additions. The towering red-brick exterior is perfectly balanced by the sparkling white interiors; the grand sash windows find their counterpart in lofty Crittall-style glass partitions that demarcate the living space and kitchen, bringing a smooth sense of flow; the warmth of the original stained floorboards ground the glistening quartz countertops in the kitchen. The best bit is the living room, where the original cornicing, slate fireplace and central ceiling rose create an air of old-school charm.
Cornwallis Road, London N19
Colour can add a contemporary slant to any period home. Just look to this sensitively renovated Victorian house in Archway for proof. The owner, an associate at Niall McLaughlin Architects, has cast the place in a plethora of pleasing hues. A spectrum of greens sits pretty over storage units and door frames, subtly imitating the verdant surroundings (Finsbury Park, Highbury Fields and Waterlow Park are all nearby), while bright-orange cabinetry in the kitchen – set against slate floors – is both modern and playful. Natural materials add another layer of warmth to the renovation, such as the ply of the built-in storage systems in the living. In the afternoon, the roof lantern in the kitchen invites the sunshine in, bringing in brightness of a whole different sort.
Sumatra Road, London NW6
As soon as you step inside this refined semi-detached villa in West Hampstead, you can see a bricolage of traditional and modern at play. The 2,400sq ft home has been thoughtfully renovated by Walters & Cohen Architects, who have accentuated volume and light with a contemporary extension formed predominately of glazing. It’s thanks to this that the flow from the open-plan living area to the garden is seamless. Speaking of which, the outdoor space is the pièce de resistance, with its blooming jasmine pergola and a barbeque. It’s the perfect spot, then, for entertaining and sizzling away in the sun or snuggling up with a hot toddy when cool.
Queen’s Drive III, London N4
This three-bedroom apartment in Finsbury Park melds the elegance of a Victorian home with the stylish simplicity of the Los Angeles aesthetic. Renovated by William Paul Architecture, with interiors by Victoria Todd, the home is artfully conceived with a fresh palette of white walls, light-washed floorboards and exposed oak beams, combining both cool and earthy tones to create a serene and uplifting sanctuary. The airy open-plan kitchen, dining and living area looks out through floor-to-ceiling glass doors to a concrete patio and garden, which is postcard pretty come rain or shine. Natural light pours in not only through the doors, but the glazed ceiling too, bringing you LA sunshine via London.
Great Percy Street, London WC1
Sometimes, when it comes to interiors, simple is the most sublime. Take this exquiste maisonette, which sits within a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in north London between King’s Cross and Angel, as an example. Purists will delight in the glorious original staircase that greets them on entry. Upstairs, there’s plenty more period prettiness to pore over too. A muted colour palette places emphasis on the beautiful bones of the place – from soaring ceilings to grand sash windows and dark wooden floorboards. But the home is far from stuck in the past: bespoke Corian worktops and contemporary appliances in the kitchen mean that residents can enjoy the comforts of modern living too.
Ripplevale Grove, London N1
Tucked away in the serene Barnsbury Conservation area in Islington – a short stroll from the vibrant restaurants and shops of Upper Street – this handsome Georgian home is the perfect symbiosis of old and new, with intricate period details sitting beautifully with minimalist Japanese inflections. The renovation was brought to life by Paris-based architects Lia Kiladis and Christine Ilex Beinemeier, who coated the walls in cool grey to bring out the warmth of natural materials, from original floorboards to contemporary plywood elements. Our favourite space might be the studio in the Edenic garden – a peaceful oasis that’s perfect for any season, with a wood-burning stove to light up dark wintry days and glazed doors that can slide open on a summer’s afternoon.
Richmond Road II, London E11
Along a lovely street in Leyton, a short walk from the cafes and shops of the pedestrianised Francis Road, lies this equally lovely two-bedroom apartment. The house in which it sits was constructed in the 1880s by JG Abraham & Co (family-run developers responsible for building many homes within the neighbourhood) and has original Victorian cornicing and wooden floorboards throughout. We also love the mid-century updates made in the 1960s, including the charming pink-and-teal bathroom. But the kitchen is the true heart of this home, where red chequerboard flooring and shelves contrast joyfully against sky-blue tiles in a scheme that’s nothing short of uplifting.
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