5 rooms house of 262m² in London

Pastel yellow render, black crittall windows, a stepped entrance flanked by mature trees – from Holland Park Avenue this five-bedroom house reads as restrained. Step inside and the picture shifts: a transformation by architects Studio Malaqueen and Caroline Pillot François lifts interiors with a playful edge.A crittall-framed opening in the entrance hall offers a first glimpse of what’s to come – period proportions styled with bursts of character. The reception room feels light and composed: herringbone floors, a white feature fireplace and details designed to spark conversation. French doors connect a wisteria-draped balcony; opposite, the room transitions into a study.The lower ground floor forms the social core of the home. A full-width rear extension – skylights overhead, bifold doors to the rear – connects kitchen, dining and sitting into one long, light-filled space. The kitchen runs along one side: light shaker cabinetry, sculptural pendants and an island that doubles as breakfast bar. At the far end, a banquette sits against a terracotta-toned backdrop – the garden visible through glazed bifold doors. Beyond, find a raised stone terrace, lawn and cedar-clad studio, currently set up as a gym with a sauna.The first floor holds the principal bedroom – generous and garden-facing with sage green cabinetry and a dedicated dressing room. Its en suite continues the colour palette, with diamond tiles in deep green and white, a freestanding bath and dual vanity. Three further bedrooms can be found on the top floor, served by a generous family bathroom. A fifth and final bedroom is tucked away on the lower ground level, with an en suite shower room and direct private entry.LocationHolland Park Avenue is the vibrant artery that runs through this sophisticated neighbourhood. Independent businesses are plentiful here: source groceries from Supermarket of Dreams, or head to semi-pedestrianised Clarendon Cross for local favourites Melt Chocolates and La Piccola Deli. Stroll around the eponymous Holland Park, with the adjoining Design Museum boasting a calendar full of inspiring exhibitions to explore. Just further north, the antique stalls and vintage treasures of Portobello Road are an ideal Saturday outing. Come evening, the neighbourhood is replete with fine dining spots, from Akub and Juno Omakase to Belvedere.Notting Hill Gate - 6 mins