We get the backstory of this attractive period house in Barnes from Sandrine, who grew up here, as well as the lowdown on why Barnes is the perfect family location.
What is a Lion House?
"This property is one of the sought-after ‘Lion houses' that were built by a Victorian builder over a couple of streets in Fulham and Barnes. They are particularly distinctive because of the mini lion statues on the rooves.
Lion houses were customarily built to a higher standard and in more prestigious locations than a typical Victorian terrace house, so are in high demand."
How long have you lived in this house?
"I lived here from 1983 until 1992-1993, so about ten years. I’ve also visited very regularly since, about once a week, because my parents live here. So I’ve spent my teenage years and early twenties in the house."
What makes this property really stand out?
"It’s a fantastic family house. It’s got six bedrooms, each of a good size, so everybody can have their own space. As it’s configured at the moment, it has several reception rooms, which proved to be especially useful to me as a teenager, when I wanted to watch music programmes and my parents preferred the news!
Having a park opposite is also brilliant, as it allows for lots of light during the day and views over its greenery. It’s great for the kids too when they are a bit older, as they can play outside without having to go too far from the house."
What is your favourite room in the house and why?
"The enormous kitchen/dining room at the centre of the house that opens out onto the garden. My mother was very forward-thinking when designing it in the 1980s as it’s open-plan, which didn’t really exist at the time. It’s been the focus point of so many celebrations over the years!"
What’s the area like?
"Barnes is a lovely area. It still maintains a real village feel; it has a village park, a green, a duck pond with a pub overlooking it and a high street.
You could take bits of Barnes and plonk it into the middle of the country and it wouldn’t feel out of place! It used to take us a couple of hours to go shopping on the high street because you’d chat to all the locals, and lots of the same shop keepers are still there to this day.
The area comes complete with the benefits of living in the countryside whilst being within easy reach of London and it embraces a real sense of community, including lots of local clubs and interest groups."
What sort of buyers would be interested in the property?
"This property most probably appeals to families and those living in London who want to live in an area with more of a community and countryside feel. The house is surrounded by plenty of greenery: the park opposite, Barnes Common which stretches all the way to Putney and Richmond Park. London Wetland Centre is also a wonderful large area of nature reserve in Barnes."
What work has been done to the property?
"There has been quite a lot of work done to the house, including the large sitting room on the first floor, which could alternatively be used as a master bedroom. The view onto the park from the first floor was spectacular, so we created another sitting room on the first floor and lined the back door with a mirror so you get the view of the park on both sides, and a real feeling of greenery in the room."
Are there any other key features to the property?
"The rear garden is really beautiful and there’s a garage at the back with its own driveway, which is currently used for storage, but could make a very good nanny flat or a home office as it’s a substantial brick built building with a tiled roof. The house has lots of scope to it so can be adapted to whoever moves in next!"
Why are you moving?
"Sadly, my mother passed away and my father feels the house is a bit on the large side for him. We’ve been there many years and it makes sense to sell. If another family can benefit from the house then so much the better!"
Take a look at the property listing here, or call our Barnes office on 020 3728 2288 to arrange a viewing.
