Russell Gardens Mews

Cook like Rick Stein and dine like an admiral in the open plan kitchen area, where vintage homeliness and naval nostalgia juxtapose shining black marble, polished deck wood and gunmetal blue. After dinner, why not adjourn to the living room – a space which, while generously proportioned, holds onto a cosy inclusivity. It’s clearly choreographed for long chats into the night, epic board game sessions and blockbuster watching. Probably Master and Commander.

Outside, under a second sky of beautifully blue-painted brick, is frankly, what we’re all in it for. A veritable paradise of pacific bliss, this sunworshipper’s dream-come-true was clearly created by optimists. And with this amount of conviction? We’re all in. Come summer, it’s cocktails all round. We can already smell the sun cream and sausages. Cheers!

Back inside, winding up Californian beach house stairs, lush greens and dark polished woods combine with snapping sails and faraway finds in bedrooms which dream of adventure. And at the end of a long day, impeccably designed bathrooms offer up sea-glass sanctuaries in which to sink into the water amongst the opulence of opals and golds, soft woods and pebble-smooth whites. Bliss.

We Love

What’s not to love? But of the many fantasies this house evokes – if we had to pick one – how about an impromptu ivory-tickle on the vintage piano, before heading back outside for some more rum punch…? Just a thought.