This light-filled three-bedroom home, built in the 1970s, is positioned on a quiet tree-lined street, a short walk from the independent shops, restaurants and bars of Peckham Rye. The house has been subject to a sensitive redesign by architect Sarah Wigglesworth. Living spaces and the kitchen have been carefully extended, and vivid pops of colour and bespoke joinery have been added throughout, creating a practical yet playful family home finished with an impeccable level of detail. An immaculate walled garden sits at the rear, accessed via full-height glazed sliding doors that fold back to seamlessly extend the internal plan.

The Architect

Sarah Wigglesworth Architects are an award-winning architectural practice based in north London. With over 25 years of experience, SWA has an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects in the education, housing, cultural, civic and urban design sectors. Favouring a forward-thinking and design-conscious environmental approach, their work aims to reduce energy use and produce comfortable living spaces. Notable projects include Stock Orchard Street and Deborah House Studios.

The Tour

The entrance to the house is set back from the road, behind a gate. The front door opens to a bright lobby area with coat hooks and storage space for shoes on the left and an adjacent living space to the right, which is currently being used as an office. Painted a sunny yellow, this versatile room can easily be turned into a gym or a playroom; sliding doors maximise the space and allow for multiple configurations.

The home is characterised by clean architectural lines and a neutral palette throughout, save for the striking primary colours, which emerge in surprising places. The house is dual aspect, with a west-to-east orientation, allowing for natural light to pour through and illuminate the internal spaces throughout the day. White-washed walls capitalise on this, and engineered oak runs underfoot throughout, cleverly elongating the space.

An impressive open-plan kitchen, living and dining room sits at the rear of the house, leading directly out towards the garden. These spaces have been levelled to ensure a seamless transition between indoors and out. A large kitchen island cleverly demarcates the space with Corian worktops, bright yellow accents and exposed plywood edging. Open cabinetry overhead provides easily accessible storage, while carefully placed pendant lamps hang from the ceiling. Skylights sit above exposed white beams, and sliding glazed doors have been added at the front and rear, ensuring plenty of natural light pours deep into the plan.

There is a spacious family bathroom on this floor with a large shower clad in white oblong tiles with contrasting grey grouting; plenty of storage sits under the sink, in the form of plywood cabinets with contrasting sky and cobalt blue doors.

A staircase leads to three spacious bedrooms and an additional bathroom on the first floor. Vertical slatted screens made of oak shield the stairs while allowing a sense of openness between the spaces. The main bedroom lies at the rear of the plan with full-height wardrobes with bespoke oak doors. A large picture window frames far-reaching views across the treetops and the garden beyond.

The architect has cleverly extended into the loft within the smallest bedroom, exposing the beams and adding a tremendous sense of volume. The third bedroom sits at the front of the plan and is a similar size to the main bedroom, with views over Howden street.

The bathroom has been finished to an impeccable standard and mirrors the design and materials of the bathroom on the ground floor, except the plywood cabinetry has been painted contrasting shades of yellow.

Outdoor Space

The garden is mostly laid to AstroTurf, with a paved section to the left that leads to a side return and a second entrance to the kitchen. Brick walls and timber slat fencing enclose the space, making this a wonderfully private spot to sit and enjoy the sunshine. Carefully planted borders sit to the left and rear.

The Area

Alongside the popular shops, cafes and restaurants of Bellenden Road, including the General Store, Flock & Herd Butcher, and Review Bookshop, Rye Lane has a vast number of independent retailers, longstanding shops and newer arrivals. Local favourites include The White Horse pub, The Montpelier, Persepolis, Peckhamplex, Copeland Park & Bussey Building, Frame Architect’s,Market Peckham, and Nola Coffee. The green spaces of Peckham Rye Park are within walking distance.

Peckham Rye is the closest station, running London Overground services to Shoreditch High Street and Dalston Junction in one direction and Clapham Junction in the other. Connections to the Jubilee Line can be reached at Canada Water in 10 minutes and the Northern Line at Clapham High Street in 11 minutes. There are also services to London Bridge in seven minutes and Blackfriars in 11 minutes.

Council Tax Band: D

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.