Charleston Avenue is a cul-de-sac in the heart of Ranelagh's redbrick territory. Although it is just minutes' walk from the busy village, it is remarkably quiet. The road is currently used for car-parking by those working in the area, but zoning for residents only parking will be arriving in the near future.
One side of the avenue is lined with solid Victorian houses, while the other is dominated by an 11-house terrace of double-fronted, Edwardian homes. Built around 1905, this very pretty, Tudor-style terrace was originally named Queen Anne Villas. Number 27, a mid-terrace house scheduled for auction through Lisney on June 14th, carries a guide price of £470,000. The fourbedroom house has been restored by the present owners and retains most of its appealing period features while incorporating all the necessities of contemporary living.
The recessed hall door is set between stained-glass panels, and opens into a long hallway, with stripped-pine flooring. The hall, stairs and landing have a subtly toned, peachybuff paint effect - the work of decorative artists Clements & Moore who have also marbleised the cast-iron mantels in the two reception rooms.
Both the drawingroom and diningroom are nicely proportioned rooms with high ceilings, and measure about 20 ft by 13 ft. Both have west-facing bay windows at the front, while the drawingroom has a French window at the far end, leading into the back garden. The kitchen, in the rear return, is a cheerful bright room with two windows and a glazed back door. There is plenty of space for the sixseater breakfast table. The floor is clad with the original red and black quarry tiles. The room has been recently refurbished, and the many creamy-painted cupboards conceal a range of appliances, including a large fridge and separate freezer. All these are included in the sale. There is a compact lavatory, with a sloping ceiling, tucked into the space under the stairs.
Upstairs, on the return, there is a small bedroom and a family bathroom with an oval corner bath. Further up, there are three more bedrooms: two have discreet, fitted wardrobes, while one, the main bedroom, has a walk-in cupboard and an en suite shower room.
The garden has been elegantly designed and planted by one of the owners, with the help of her mother. The front, railed patch is a simple combination of just four elements: pale gravel, lavender, jasmine and grey-leafed, weeping pears. The gravel-and-lavender theme is continued into the small, sheltered back garden. Scented roses, birch and cherry trees, and various sculpted evergreens make a pleasing picture.
