When I was thinking about this post, I realised that I very rarely share properties that are available to let, which is odd as I’m one of those people who has been renting for years. But I don’t always see rental properties that are really exciting in terms of their interior design, or when I do, sometimes the photography that’s available isn’t that great.
So you can understand why this property on Montrose Avenue in London’s Queen’s Park caught my eye. The agent for this property, Domus Nova, always has the most gorgeous rental properties that are just as beautifully photographed as those that are for sale. And this particular house – which is available as a long term let – also has a cool and immaculately styled interior.
To be honest, I’m sold on this four bedroom family home from the vast and light-filled dining-kitchen at the rear of the ground level. I’m always drawn by a tactile mix of materials, and here concrete is played against whitewashed brick and timber, with penny mosaic tiles forming the full-height splashback and that pop of yellow – yellow again! (If you saw my Shades of Yellow post you’ll understand how this hue is becoming a theme for me of late.)
And this little reading nook – what a brilliant detail. A few years ago I visited a really interesting house extension designed by architect Craig Amy at Newbattle Gardens, and Craig had designed a very similar window detail into that space. There’s something cosy about this type of window seat, and it also adds to the informality of a family zone like this dining-kitchen – on cooler days, with the doors closed over, you could still curl up here and enjoy the garden view.
This interior was designed and styled by its owners, and I particularly like how these new design elements have been fused with the existing features of this period property, like the fireplaces above and below. And through every room, there’s this gorgeously mellow palette that enhances the sense of flow.
With its mix of old and new design elements and spacious light-filled rooms, this is one gorgeous rental property. But there’s also one feature that really makes this house stand out for me. I have a thing about timber cladding, and the more raw and rustic the finish the better. One day, I’d love to have a traditional period cottage in Fife’s East Neuk – it does no harm to dream, right? – and use this feature in that context.
And, of course, if you don’t want to use timber, there are rustic wallpapers that achieve the same look – Piet Hein Eek has a fantastic range of scrapwood wallpapers. This aesthetic might feel unexpected in an elegant period home, but when offset by crisp detailing, as here, I think this more earthy styling really works.
See Domus Nova for rental details at Montrose Avenue, which is available for long term let.
All photography from Domus Nova.
