House, Russell Gardens Mews, London

Tucked off the vibrant thoroughfare of Kensington High Street, Russell Gardens Mews has a notably tranquil feel – an atmosphere that’s effortlessly carried inside this three-bedroom home, thanks to the creative renovation of Hampstead Architects and Studio Aros. Across its three storeys, serenity is drawn with tactile materials, clean lines and a prioritisation of natural light across every space.

An architectural staircase has a rhythmic feel as you enter, engineered with vertical timber balusters and double-glazed sash windows neatly carved into the triple-height aspect. It leads up to the first-floor social heart: an open-plan kitchen, dining and reception room. Crittall glazing introduces the space with a sleek, industrial edge and draws in reams of sunlight. Handfinished European oak floors and whitewashed microcement walls bring textural warmth to the setting, while the ceiling is punctuated with modern jet-black lighting tracks.

To one side of the room, the living area features a bespoke NOVO Joinery television and shelving unit; to the other side, the kitchen is centred by a Calacatta marble waterfall island, backdropped by walnut veneer cabinetry and streamlined integrated appliances. From the dining space, a pair of French windows open onto a Juliet balcony overlooking the cobbled cul-de-sac below.

Minimalism ensues in the principal bedroom suite, located at the top of the home. The space is filled with soft light through sash and Velux windows, illuminating the vaulted proportions and pale tonal scheme. An en suite bathroom is laid with Mandarin Stone porcelain floors, a dual vanity and sculptural freestanding bathtub. Functionality is seamlessly woven in, from the eaves storage to the bespoke NOVO wardrobes Daikin air conditioning.

On the ground floor, two guest bedrooms maintain the home’s calming aesthetic and offer versatility to be used as offices, studios or additional storage spaces. Completing the home is an inviting guest bathroom with a contemporary walk-in shower.

Russell Gardens Mews has a quietude that belies its enviable proximity to some of West London’s best hotspots. It’s a short walk to the manicured lawns of Holland Park, as well as the Royal Albert Hall and the Design Museum for its world-class exhibitions. Retail therapy is in abundance, from The Village at Westfield to Notting Hill’s vintage boutiques and the everyday essentials along Kensington High Street – plus a weekly farmer’s market to source organic, local produce. For nights of fine dining, beloved institutions include Belvedere, Kitchen W8 and Maggie Jones’s.

Kensington Olympia - 5 mins
Shepherd’s Bush - 12 mins