Why this 1960s house in Wimbledon is a work of modernist art
The house was designed by architect and lifelong Wimbledon resident Norman Plastow. Among his mighty contributions to this corner of south-west London – which also include holding the title of the president of the Wimbledon Society since 1998 and designing the Village Hall Trust Gallery in 2012 – is this beautifully conceived 1960s house on Arterberry Road. Although Plastow originally built the home for himself, he sold it shortly after completion – but thankfully, its residents ever since have taken as much care of it as we imagine he would have.
There are plenty of original features to marvel at when you step through the front door. The characterful cork floors have been lovingly preserved; the wooden open-tread staircase is as beautiful today as it would have been when first built; the pine ceilings bring rich tones, texture and warmth to the spaces they feature. There are a generous handful of thoughtful contemporary interventions too, such as engineered-oak blocks that have been used to create a beautiful basket parquet flooring upstairs, which goes nicely with the original built-in wardrobe and dressing table in the main bedroom.
The sense of space is remarkable too – particularly on the ground floor. A soaring pitched ceiling sits above the main living room, creating a bright and airy double-height space. Beside it lies a single-storey area, with sofas and shelves stacked with books, which is more intimate and snug – a perfect reading spot in winter. The olive-green dining room is connected to these living spaces, through cut-outs in the walls, while a separate kitchen, brought up to date with new wiring, means cooking in peace is no chore.
And if you do want to get out the house, this peaceful residential street is within walking distance of the delights of Wimbledon Village and the green plains of the common.
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