Positioned in the heart of Margate, this two-bedroom Victorian house has been impeccably renovated in recent years. From the sheep’s wool insulation to the high spec fixtures and fittings throughout, every detail has been carefully considered to create a versatile home that is defined by its light, pared-back palette. A sense of quietude reigns, aided by the natural materials that feature throughout, such as pine, Douglas fir and quartz. There is a south-facing patio garden, and the beach is a short stroll from the front door, as is the Old Town.

The Tour

A quiet lane leads to the house, from which the front door opens to the living room. Sightlines extend through a wide opening to the kitchen and on towards the rear patio garden, ensuring a seamless sense of flow between all spaces. Light enters the living room through two large windows, streaming over Osmo-oiled pine floorboards and white walls. A Swedish woodburning stove by Contura sits within a fireplace of exposed lime-pointed brick, creating a handsome focal point and adding to the excellent levels of warmth ensured by new insulation and breather membranes. A stone hearth in front of the fireplace completes the material palette.

Beyond, towards the rear of the plan, lie the open-plan kitchen and dining area. The central dining area is currently positioned in front of wide, full-height glazed doors that open directly to the patio garden and welcome light in from the south. The adjacent kitchen has been meticulously realised with bespoke Douglas fir joinery whose decorative grain creates a sense of serenity; grey quartz worktops are situated atop. There is a Miele dishwasher, a Bosch oven and hob, as well as two built-in Liebherr fridges and ample storage in the soft-close drawers. A sociable island sits centrally, creating the perfect space to gather, with further storage hidden in the cabinetry below.

The kitchen opens on to a utility room that extends along one side of the garden and is home to the second fridge, washing machine and further storage. The same palette of Douglas fir and light grey quartz has been used, ensuring a sense of material continuity, and the open nature of the space furthers the feeling of flow that is present throughout. At the rear of this space is a WC with mirrored cabinetry for storage and sanitaryware by Duravit and Axor Starck; there is a full-length window onto a hidden corner of the garden where a large tree fern sits.

Stairs ascend to the first floor, with the pine stair rail discreetly cut into the wall. On this floor lie two bedrooms, both beautifully bright spaces with the same white walls and light pine floorboards as downstairs. The main bedroom is at the front of the plan, where two windows are flanked by white-painted shutters. The second bedroom at the rear has views onto the garden below, the window shielded by a simple linen curtain. The door frames to both rooms are lightly stained pine, in harmony with the floorboards.

A large bathroom completes the plan on this level. A calm, serene space, this is home to a walk-in shower with a large ceiling-mounted Raindance shower head, with walls in waxed concrete.  There is a niche with a white marble shelf and full-height thick glass screen Underfloor heating extends below light-coloured natural cork tiles that add a dash of texture to the space. A floating marble counter with a Duravit Starck washbasin is positioned beneath a mirrored cabinet, while a pebble-shaped Duravit ‘Luv’ bath sits in front of a large window.

Outdoor Space

The south-facing patio is a secluded spot with planted borders, home to holly bushes and roses, among other mature plants and shrubs. It is sheltered from the elements by an exposed brick wall that adds texture to the lime-pointed, York flagstone-paved space, and makes a veritable suntrap. There is subtly positioned outdoor lighting covering the area, making it excellent for evening alfresco drinks and dining.

The Area

Known for its creative community, Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary, synonymous with the town and visually unmistakable. Designed by architect David Chipperfield, this is a brilliant contemporary art space with far-reaching views over the sea, named after landscape painter J. M. W. Turner, who went to school in Margate and returned throughout his life, callings its skies and sunsets ‘the loveliest in Europe’. Margate is also famous for Dreamland, a historic theme park that also hosts live music events.

There are numerous restaurants, including Angela’s, a sustainable seafood bistro, Sargasso on the harbour arm and Hantverk & Found. Dory’s is a fantastic seafood bar nearby priding itself on local produce and works closely with Kentish fishermen and independent growers to create its menus. Margate is home to many independent shops such as Werkhaus, Ruskin, the Margate Bookshop and the Margate-born sustainable beauty brand Haeckels. It is a stone’s throw from the beach and numerous walks such as The Viking Coastal Trail, an 8-mile walk that links the towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate along Kent’s cliffs and beaches.

The house is positioned just below Northdown Road, the high street of Cliftonville which is home to a growing number of exciting businesses including sushi restaurant Mori Mori, KG Winters store and Korean-inspired takeaway. There is also the fully organic Grain Grocer; new bars include Sting Ray, Tap Room, Bar Nothing, Daisys and Camp.

The nearby coastal towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate are also well known for their array of pubs, restaurants and independent shops, as are Herne Bay and Whitstable, which are slightly further afield.

The house has excellent links to London, with trains from Margate to London St Pancras in under an hour and a half, or London Victoria in one hour and 45 minutes. There are trains to Canterbury in half an hour, which is also a short drive away. Connections to Europe are also very good, with Eurostar services running from Ashford (50 minutes from Margate) and the Eurotunnel motor rail service to Calais running from Folkstone (also 50 minutes away).

 Council Tax Band: B

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.