Moody Tones and Exposed Brick in an Edwardian Arts and Crafts Building

Tucked within the storied cloisters of Waterlow Court, an Edwardian Arts and Crafts masterpiece that edges the wild green sweep of the Hampstead Heath Extension, lies a one-bedroom apartment that feels both steeped in history and quietly cocooning.

Completed in 1909 to the designs of M. H. Baillie Scott, the development was conceived with a reverence for natural materials and a belief in the restorative power of nature. More than a century on, that ethos is palpable from the moment you step inside.

Approached via a sculptural dog-leg staircase with a Jacobean handrail, the apartment opens into a characterful main living space.

Here, leaded-light casement windows scatter soft daylight across picture rails and a timber ceiling beam, lending the room a gentle, timeworn elegance.

An exposed-brick wall sets the stage for the fireplace, with its wooden surround and hand-painted foxglove tiles forming an irresistible focal point.

The scheme is moody and curated: pale grey walls counterbalanced by the depth of joinery finished in Farrow & Ball’s “Off-Black.”

A movable partition leads to a second, more intimate living area, currently used as a study. Built-in cabinetry by Roundhouse runs the length of one wall, cleverly integrating workspace and storage to maintain the home’s calm, uncluttered feel.

The kitchen, also crafted by Roundhouse, continues the apartment’s tactile material palette. Terracotta tiles warmed by underfloor heating anchor the space, while stretches of exposed brick echo the textures of the living room. Integrated appliances maintain the quiet simplicity of the design.

The bedroom is infused with a sense of stillness. Its picture window frames a view of the gardens, while walls bathed in Farrow & Ball’s “Green Smoke” seem to draw the landscape inward.

The bathroom extends this verdant theme, where handmade Moroccan tiles (mossy, geometric, and designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune) wrap the bath and floor, complemented by porcelain-clad walls and underfloor heating.

Waterlow Court was initially envisioned as an “Eden without Men”, a sanctuary for single professional women who embraced cooperative living. That spirit of serenity remains unmistakable today.

The quadrangle’s central lawn is bordered by a paved walkway and richly planted flower beds, where roses mingle with the whimsical fruits of the Strawberry Tree.

Cloistered walkways encircle the garden, creating rhythmic views of lime-washed brick, timber framing, and handsome chimney stacks.

Beyond the central courtyard, a quieter garden path winds toward a secluded roundel and the original Edwardian bicycle shed, an enchanting reminder of the estate’s early modern ideals.

The apartment is listed for £525.000 at Inigo.