This superb two-bedroom maisonette in Harford House is positioned right in the heart of Westbourne Grove, just a 10-minute walk from the Portobello Road market. The apartment has been decorated with an arresting monochrome palette to dramatic effect and has been the subject of two World of Interiors articles in recent years. At the rear of the plan is a wonderful south-facing balcony, which allows natural light to pour in through the open-plan living, kitchen and dining area.

The Architect

Once described as ‘placing the rhythm at the core of architecture’, British architect HT ‘Jim’ Cadbury-Brown (1913-2009) is best known for co-designing the iconic Royal College of Art building at Kensington Gore and the pavilions for the Festival of Britain in 1951. His family holiday home in Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, which he jointly designed and built alongside his wife E.R. Cadbury in 1962, was the subject of 3 church walk, a film by Jonathan P. Watts and Emily Richardson, which premiered at the London Film Festival in 2015.

During the 1930s, after graduating from the Architectural Association, Cadbury-Brown worked under the Hungarian architect Ernö Goldfinger, famous for designing the 31-storey Trellick Tower near Portobello Road in west London. According to The Guardian, it was through Goldfinger he learned ‘…about the latest European architectural developments, and, in particular, about the possibilities offered by reinforced concrete,’ and thus earned his modernist credentials.

Cadbury-Brown described himself as a “post-modernist before my time,” arguing in favour of “individual variation and self-expression” to “balance the frightening regularity of life.’

The Building

Tavistock crescent was built in the late 1970s for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and is located between Portobello Road and Great Western Avenue in west London. The block contains 104 yellow brick scissor section flats: an interlocking design developed in the 1950s by David Gregory-Jones and LCC Architects. The scissor formation can also be found within other notable modernist blocks including The Barbican and Perronet House.

The Tour

Entrance is on the ground floor, where a central hallway leads to two beautifully bright double bedrooms. The main bedroom has been decorated with William Morris wallpaper and has an adjoining dressing room with a window – a wonderfully versatile space that could easily be used as a study. The second bedroom also has plenty of built-in storage and shelving, with a large window that frames leafy views over the street beyond. Black ceramic tiles run underfoot throughout.

Upstairs, a striking white kitchen extends along one wall. This is replete with sleek cabinetry, Corian work surfaces, a hob by Franke and rose gold taps, which were inspired by a trip to Morocco. In contrast, the adjacent living spaces have been painted a glossy black, reflecting the light that pours in via the south-facing balcony beyond. Exposed concrete floors ground the space and provide a calming, pared-back backdrop for the glossy black walls.

The bathroom on this floor is clad in shiny black tiles, inspired by the current owner’s experience of living in the Royal Crescent in Brighton, where the façade is covered in similar black tiles. The bright yellow fixtures are by Vola and create a playful contrast, adding a dash of colour to the otherwise minimal palette.

Outside Space

A sizeable terrace can be accessed via the living area. A sunny space, there is plenty of room for planting here, as well as for a table and chairs.

The Area

Harford House is located in one of London’s most desirable areas, within walking distance of the boutiques and restaurants of Westbourne Grove. The immediate area is bursting with celebrated eateries such as Farmacy, Granger & Co., Daylesford Organic and Ottolenghi. Plenty of other bars, restaurants and pubs can be found locally, as can the Electric Cinema and the popular Notting Hill Arts Club. Kensington Gardens are in close proximity and Hyde Park lies just beyond, where one can enjoy a browse around The Serpentine Gallery or a swim in the Lido.

Westbourne Park underground (Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines) is a two-minute walk away and runs direct lines into central London. The Westway provides an easy route out of the city by road, for swift access to Heathrow Airport and the south-west.

Tenure: Leasehold
Length of Lease: approx. 84 years remaining at the moment although the current owners are in the process of extending the lease by a further 90 years
Service Charge: approx. £2900 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £10 per annum
Council Tax Band: D

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.