This exquisite four-bedroom Victorian house is set on the highly sought-after Malvern Road, near London Fields. The subject of extensive remodelling and extension by Ivanov Versteeg Architecture, the interior scheme makes use of a tactile material palette of concrete, iroko and cedar. The house is arranged over three levels, designed to connect seamlessly with the tranquil outside spaces: an upper-ground-floor terrace and a wonderfully secluded garden, where custom-made concrete landscaping brims with mature planting.

The Architect

Ivanov Versteeg Architecture is a creative collaboration established in 2007 by Anna Versteeg and the late Sergei Ivanov. Every project is connected by their philosophy of embracing contradictions: intelligently blending textures or blurring indoors with outdoors. 

The Tour

The house has two entrances, one via an elegant set of steps, and the other at ground level, opening into a vestibule lined with distinctive Bert & May tiling. 

Ivanov Versteeg has established a generous open plan kitchen and dining space as the heart of the house. Sustainably-forested cedar panelling runs along one wall, while a large rooflight beckons light in. The kitchen is formed of deep concrete worktops with a marble splashback, Fisher & Paykel appliances, a large-format island and a bespoke floor-to-ceiling integral larder. Concrete underfoot is warmed by underfloor heating. A separate utility/laundry room lies behind a discreet cedar door, containing a washing machine, tumble dryer and large stainless steel sink. 

At the rear, a large bi-fold door opens seamlessly onto the serene garden, creating a verdant backdrop to the clean architectural lines inside.

Moving out of the kitchen toward the living room, a flush door conceals a stylish small bathroom, housing an iroko shelf and a squared sink by Duravit. At the front of the ground floor plan, through a wide pocket door, the living room has dark-stained herringbone flooring that grounds the room and contrasts strikingly with the sage-coloured walls. This is a relaxing, cosy space with a wood burner atop a granite hearth and a view out to the front garden’s olive tree and lavender. 

Upstairs is the master bedroom suite where original details blend sensitively with new fixtures: a west-facing sash window with original shutters sits above a custom-made cast iron radiator. The room beyond has been transformed into a dressing room, and these spaces are wonderfully bright with their dual aspect and high ceilings. Shaker-style wardrobes provide plentiful storage.

To the rear of the plan is a bedroom, currently used as an office, finished with a tactile cork wall rising behind a bespoke ply desk with open shelving and cupboards above. From here, the terrace is accessible through a black-framed glass door. 

The upper ground floor hall, laid with Victorian parquet reclaimed from a Scottish school, ascends to two further bright, airy double bedrooms and a family bathroom, containing a free-standing oval bath, large-format shower and encaustic tiling custom-designed for the property. Discreet cabinetry provides generous storage, and the room is warmed by underfloor heating. 

Overhead, the large loft space has been expertly tanked with marine ply, with lighting and a folding staircase, to provide an unusually generous, easy-access storage space.

Throughout the property are thoughtful touches, including dimmable lighting controlled by Buster and Punch switches, reclaimed internal doors and hardware, and bespoke traditional cast iron radiators. The kitchen/dining room is wired for a Sonos sound system. 

Outdoor Space

The kitchen opens to the secluded split-level garden. Built-in floating benches sit before a rendered wall, creating a generous outdoor dining space. Dwarf pines and an acer live in harmony with ferns, japonica and silver birch. Fragrant jasmine traverses both sides of the garden, and fig trees line the back wall. There is an integrated outdoor kitchen space comprising BBQ and food prep area with space for firewood. At the back of the garden, the architect has created an ingenious elevated children’s ‘treehouse’ play space, set atop discreet lockable outdoor storage.

The peaceful elevated terrace space is bounded by grey timber parapet walls topped with zinc. There is plentiful space for outdoor dining and an array of planting.

The Area

Malvern Road has a strong community feel and is perfectly positioned for London Fields, with its parkland, lido, tennis courts and playgrounds. The area is well known for fantastic restaurants, notably Cafe Cecilia, Pophams, Lardo, Little Duck, Pidgin, Towpath and Violet. Weekend markets happen along Broadway Market and at nearby Victoria Park. E5 Bakehouse, on the edge of London Fields, is excellent for artisan bread and coffee, as are Pavilion and Climpson’s. NearbyNetil Market is a hub of independent bookshops, breweries and coffee roasters, and the area is home to an enviable choice of fitness spaces: hotpodyoga, Studio Anatomy, Tempo Pilates, even a subterranean rock-climbing studio, Stronghold. For children, excellent local football, ballet, theatre, tennis and gymnastics clubs and classes. Columbia Road Flower Market, and Shoreditch beyond, is within an easy walk.

Unusually, this property is within the catchment area of three state primary schools all rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, as well as local independent Gatehouse School. Excellent pre-school provisions abound, including award-winning N Family Club within Second Home London Fields, and a well-established Montessori nursery.

The property is served by three train stations: London Fields, for direct trains to Liverpool Street; Haggerston, for Shoreditch High Street and beyond on the London Overground; and Hackney Central for direct services to Stratford and Highbury & Islington. Bethnal Green Underground Station, easily accessible by bus, has excellent links to Central London via the Central Line. 

Council Tax Band: E

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.