Appartement Plat, Abingdon Road, Londres

Tucked between Holland Park and the village-style calm of Stratford Road, this two-level Victorian conversion sits in one of Kensington’s gentler stretches. Past its own front door, grand proportions and original detail remain, but a lighter sensibility runs throughout.

The ground floor is given over to living. A handsome hallway opens to a double reception room, where two limestone fireplaces and cornicing frame the space. Tall sash windows draw the light in from the front; to the rear, the dining room takes in views of the patio from a private balcony. The kitchen sits separately behind – cabinetry by Eggersmann, Miele appliances and a green-marble splashback that catches the light – with a guest cloakroom tucked discreetly out of sight. Elsewhere, a utility cupboard houses the laundry.

The bedrooms gather at garden level, the principal taking the front with a marble-clad en suite. A dressing area and a built-in vanity table keep mornings streamlined. Two further bedrooms open directly onto the patio, each with bespoke storage space, served by a shower room dressed in classic pink marble.

There’s an away-from-it-all feel to this corner of Kensington, yet bustling thoroughfares are just a stone’s throw away. It’s a five-minute walk to the manicured lawns of Holland Park, followed by a trip to the Design Museum. An invigorating workout at 1Rebel on Kensington High Street, before lunch at Kitchen W8 and a browse through the stores. South Kensington and its world-class museums are a wander south east, whilst local favourites sit closer to home. Head to San Pietro for Italian delights, or independent gastropub The Abingdon.

High Street Kensington – 8 mins
Earl’s Court – 12 mins