Renovated to an exacting standard by the highly acclaimed Studio Carver, this three-bedroom house is positioned on a peaceful street in Kentish Town. Executed in a sleek, carefully considered palette, the interior spaces are characterised by a sense of volume and a wonderfully bright atmosphere, with great attention paid to design details throughout. They have been sensitively opened up to create a home perfectly suited to modern living, at once both versatile and welcoming. A south-facing garden and roof terrace are positioned on the ground and second floors respectively, and are both expansive spaces that receive sunshine throughout the day. Herbert Street is a short walk from the larger green areas of Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill, as well as Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

The Architect

Award-winning Studio Carver was founded 15 years ago by Keith Carver. Their focus is on creating architecture that responds to materials, light, environment and its users, resulting in impeccably designed spaces that are utterly livable. They also place a strong emphasis on sustainability and responsible design to ensure their work is well-suited to contemporary life. Aiming to ‘enhance environments for people’, here they have created a beautiful family home that responds excellently to its surroundings.

The Tour

Herbert Street is a quiet no-through road of traditional Victorian terraced houses. This house is positioned at the upper end, lending it a sense of serenity and separation from its neighbours. Access is through a verdant front garden, with the house set back from the street behind a low brick parapet wall. The front door opens immediately into the open-plan living spaces, the home unfolding in an impeccably executed plan that makes excellent use of space.

A dining area is currently positioned at the front of the plan, in front of an expansive bay of three sash windows. An original fireplace provides a handsome focal point to the room, with ornate tiles and a cast-iron surround. Engineered oak flooring extends underfoot, paving the way to the kitchen that lies in the middle of the space. This has been executed to a very high standard, with high-spec appliances including a built-in wine fridge, induction hob and Bosch ovens, as well as an extractor fan high above that is set flush within the ceiling. A palette of neutrals reigns, with grey cabinetry and quartz worktops creating a simple backdrop accentuated by exposed steel beams. The large central island also functions as a breakfast bar, making it the perfect space for entertaining while cooking. Ample storage is provided in the form of smart bespoke joinery fitted under the stairs.

The floor at the rear of the space has been lowered to create a living area that feels part of the space yet is subtly delineated. Trench heating has been set below the concrete-tiled floors, and walls have been painted a smart grey/green shade by Farrow & Ball. A full wall of glazed doors at the rear opens to the south-facing garden, allowing light to flood into the space; a lateral roof light above further aids the passage of light around the room.

A bathroom is positioned on the half-landing above, with smart hexagonal floor tiles, a generous walk-in shower and brass fittings. There is also a built-in bath with a frosted window above, which renders the space dual aspect and therefore extremely bright. There is ample storage both in the bathroom and on the landing outside in the form of large built-in cupboards, made bespoke for the house.

White- and green-painted stairs ascend to the first floor and the two bedrooms therein, both beautifully bright spaces decorated in a combination of white walls and patterned Farrow & Ball wallpaper. The rear bedroom overlooks the garden below, while two large sash windows welcome light into the front bedroom. In the latter, open shelves have been built into the alcoves on either side of the original fireplace, which has similarly ornate, colourful tiles as the fireplace downstairs.

A double-height stairwell with a large roof light above leads the way to the main suite, which occupies the top floor of the house and is defined by its pared-back palette of natural materials. The sash windows have been double glazed, and there is a working gas fireplace; there is also a retractable projector built flush within the ceiling. A large section of glass looks into the stairwell, bringing in borrowed light from the skylight that extends above. There is a walk-in wardrobe with plenty of built-in bespoke storage, which leads the way to the en suite bathroom. Porcelain tiles by CP Hart surround the large walk-in shower, and a mirror above the double sink bounces light around the room.

Outdoor Space 

Unfolding from the ground floor extension, the south-facing rear garden feels wonderfully secluded care of the mature trees that surround the space. There is a decked area at the front, the perfect spot for alfresco dining, and a section of lawn at the rear with carefully planted borders. The rear extension of the house has been clad in smart, Japanese-style charred wood, blending into the cedar wood fencing and the tropical hardwood decking underneath.

The roof terrace feels similarly private, standing apart from its neighbours and not bounded on either side. Views extend across neighbouring gardens, with the terrace’s elevated position creating quite the suntrap in the summer months; there is infrared heating to use in the winter. Dark wooden decking runs underfoot, in harmony with the trees and the natural world beyond.

The Area

Herbert Street is excellently positioned for access to Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town and Gospel Oak. Many of London’s best schools are within close proximity, and the glorious green expanses of Hampstead Heath with its beautiful swimming ponds and Parliament Hill Lido is a short walk away.

The Kentish Town Sports Centre and Talacre Community Sports Centre offer a wide variety of leisure activities, the Zabludowicz Collection hosts contemporary art installations in a former Methodist chapel, and the O2 Forum and the Roundhouse are among a number of outstanding local music venues nearby. The house is a 10-minute stroll from the restaurants, boutiques, pubs and delis on Erskine Road and Regent’s Park Road, including restaurants Lemonia, Odettesand La Ferme, The Lansdowne pub, Primrose Bakeryand Melrose and Morgan deli.

Kentish Town Road and Fortress Road, with their independent butchers, grocers and restaurants, are around a 20-minute walk away. Neighbourhood favourites include Phoenicia Food Hall, Giocabazzi’s, Gail’s, Kami, Salvino, Anima e Cuore and Bread by Bike. There are excellent pubs in the area, including The Stag, The Grafton, The Bull & Last and The Southampton Arms.

The area is well-served by public transport, equidistant from Kentish Town West Overground and Chalk Farm (Northern Line) stations. Belsize Park (Northern Line) is also a short walk away. Multiple bus routes are easily accessible, running regular 24-hour services to central London.

Tenure: Freehold
Council Tax Band: G

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.