I never really used to pay so much attention to the external details of London’s properties, but usually assumed the English architectural facade is much like her people – calm and stately with no frills or flamboyance. This time around, with the time and inclination to keep going through different side streets and quaint neighbourhoods, I was pleasantly surprised to realise that she had a little bit more frivolity than that. Here’s the doors, windows and facades that caught my eye..
Pastels in the Portobello area Sweet day blue, brick walls in the Kings Road areaMore Portobello pastels – Portobello area is an unmissable gem in many ways Less the look but the motto that caught my eye Somewhere again between Notting Hill and Portobello area A Victorian mansion block – nostalgic – a significant part of childhood vacations and teenage angstNotting Hill cottage Classical windows structures Robert Adam Street- across from our other nostalgic youth spot
Teal-iciousEver so quaint
Pebbled road, brick stone mews… off York Street More of this teal-iciou huesEarl’s Court rabbit holes More of Earl’s Court rabbit holes
At the beginning of the street of colourful homes in the Notting Hill areaThe ever photogenic Charlotte Street hotel of FitzroviaRed door, blue walls.. somewhere around Earls CourtAngular and conservative.. somewhere near Covent GardenThe unmissable British lookEven more quintessentially English… the door panelling, rectangular letter box, black and white checked steps and pillared bannisters. Comfort food reliable. Covent Garden grandeurMore Covent Garden grandeurWindows of a higher floor, probably of a fine dining restaurant Higher floor pubCute homes in Ladbroke Grove. We almost picked this area as our Airbnb but glad we stuck to the SW postcodeCute clock and turquoise facade of a shoe shop in Chelsea
Spot of pink on Trebovir Road, Earls CourtMore Earls Court finds…
Final Words
I really enjoyed the different themes of homes, doors and windows of London. It’s unique, characterful and bears such a strong individualistic style, representing a specific time and period of the city. In terms of just which aesthetics I personally like, I am still fonder of the Gallic style which though a bit more repetitive has also a very feminine touch to it. If you’ve been following the doors and windows collection of Paris, the Riviera, Barcelona, Luang Prabang and Bali (Bali is obviously a different look, though Luang Prabang maintains a very strong French visual) under the Aesthetics category then do share your personal favourites.
