“Crossing the Rye was a big step.” For Kirsty and Pete, entrenched in the leafy, well-heeled streets of East Dulwich (SE22) for two decades, the move to neighbouring Nunhead felt like a leap into the unknown. But in 2012, they sensed a shift in the London air. A new, creative energy was pulsing just over the border.
“We were getting Shoreditch vibes,” Kirsty recalls, a spark of excitement in her voice. “The whole are felt like it had a strong creative undercurrent or thread running through it”.
The desire for a change was there, but the perfect catalyst was not. Pete needed gentle persuading to abandon traditional rooms for the open-plan, warehouse-style living Kirsty, being Australian, truly hankered for. They had even begrudgingly settled on a more conventional house, the dream of lofty ceilings and vast windows seemingly behind them.
“Then, I took one last look at Rightmove,” Kirsty says, the memory still vivid. “And there it was. Freshly listed. A converted Victorian warehouse in Nunhead that ticked every single box—except the SE22 postcode.” A viewing was booked immediately.
A Leap of Faith, Guided by Light
The property market in 2012 was feverish, leaving little time for second-guessing. “It all happened quickly,” Kirsty confirms. The deal was done, and keys were in hand soon after.
What greeted them was a raw canvas, brimming with potential. The previous owner, a photographer, had chosen the space for one reason above all others: the incredible, ever-changing light. “That was our starting point,” Kirsty explains. “The vaulted ceilings and those huge windows mean the light transforms by the hour as the sun moves around the house. We wanted to harmonise the interior with that quality of light.”
Natural light flows through from the shylights at the top of the landing.
One of two private slices of outside space
They lived in the space for 18 months, allowing the rhythm of family life to dictate the final design. The subsequent refurbishment was swift, starting with the ground floor and moving upwards. What began as an aesthetic dream evolved into the ultimate practical family home.
“It worked brilliantly when our daughter was young—she had all this space to roam. Then, as she grew up, it became the ‘cool house’ by her freinds who came round.”
The Heart of the Home
For those who haven’t embraced open-plan living, Kirsty is its greatest ambassador. “I love it,” she says emphatically. “The space flows so you can use every corner, but it’s also easy to find a quiet nook for isolation if you need it.”
From kitchen to the open reception, the space entirely opens up.
When asked for a favourite room, she gestures not to a room, but to her favorite view point. “Over in that corner, if I sit in the purple chair, I can see the whole ground floor and chat with anyone here. I love how the kitchen spills into the entertaining area, which then feeds into the living room or out to the side terrace.”
Kirstys favoured vantage point on the ground floor
A Building with a Past
The warehouse’s history is as unique as its structure. Kirsty has become its unofficial archivist. “This place actually pre-dates pretty much all the surrounding houses,” she reveals. “It was originally a tile warehouse, supplying the local builders as these streets were constructed. We think it was part of a dairy after that, and we know its last commercial life was as a motor mechanic’s workshop.”
The area, too, has transformed during their tenure. “It was a well-kept secret when we arrived,” she says. The community spirit crystallised around the local pub, The Ivy House. “It’s 76 steps from our front door—yes, we’ve counted! It was threatened with closure, so the residents banded together and bought it. It became London’s first community-owned pub. It’s a real hub, and that sums up the spirit here.”
The Next Chapter
After 20 wonderful years in London, a new dream is calling. “Water,” Kirsty states simply. “I’ve now got a deep desire to live next to water.” The next chapter will be written on the coasts of Sussex or Devon.
Leaving this unique home, with its layers of history and light, will be a wrench. But for Kirsty and Pete, the story that began with a hesitant step across the Rye has been a profound success, proving that the most rewarding moves are often the ones that lead you just beyond your comfort zone.
“The Warehouse” on Borland Road, SE15 is for sale – £1,250,000. Click here for the details.
If you’d like to take a closer look, please contact the office on 020 3987 1739 or email, [email protected]
