A Colorful Apartment in a Former Victorian Church in London
This charming one-bedroom apartment is located in a converted church on Bethnal Green Road in East London. The apartment building is situated in the converted Church of St James the Great, designed by architect Edward Blore, who also famously worked on royal buildings like Buckingham Palace, St James’ Place, and Windsor Castle.
The 53 square meter apartment is located on the second floor of the historic 19th-century church building. The rooms are painted in muted blue, green, and pink tones, creating inviting, comfortable, and cheerful living spaces.
The living and dining room is painted in a charming sky blue shade called “James” by Little Greene, which is paired with a white dado rail.
The room has original leaded windows in two directions, from which you get a peek of the deep red exterior brickwork of the church. One window is flanked by smart built-in bookcases.
There is an open hatch between the living room and the kitchen, which is turned into a smart breakfast bar.
The kitchen is simple, with white cabinets and backsplash tiles paired with walls painted in the forest green shade “Green Smoke” by Farrow & Ball. The small niche next to the fridge has been fitted with smart wine storage.
The kitchen has a slightly unique layout with the sink not in line with the other cabinets. A wooden folding table, fitted against the wall, is painted in the same green hue as the walls and provides extra counter space.
The hall is painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Hague Blue,” which harmonizes nicely with the Victorian-style geometric floor tiles.
The bedroom is located next to the living room and features two large leaded windows from which you have views of the leafy street.
The room is spacious enough for a small home office next to the bed.
An open niche in the bedroom has been turned into wardrobe space, hidden by sheer curtains.
The bathroom is small but stylish with marble tiles, pink walls, and a navy blue vanity.
The church has an interesting history. In 1965, English gangster and one half of the Kray Twins, Reggie Kray, married Frances Shea at this church. The wedding was photographed by the famous English photographer David Bailey.
The apartment is listed for £440,000 at Inigo.