How did you arrive at living in such a unique home?
We were living in a small flat just down the road when Suzsi became pregnant. We loved the area and wanted to stay close, but needed more space — somewhere we could truly make our own.
One day, on the way back from a disappointing viewing, we spotted an auction sign outside The Old School. A developer had divided the building into seven units, selling them as empty shells. It was exactly what we were looking for — a blank canvas. Unfortunately, the auction had already taken place three days earlier.
After a few choice words and a bit of detective work, we tracked down the developer, who told us only two units had sold. We fell in love with one — the largest, and the most private — and to our delight, it was still available. We bought it and set about creating a home designed for how we wanted to live, and for the family we were about to become.
What’s your favourite memory of living here?
It’s impossible to choose just one. We’ve watched our son grow up here, from birthday parties and film nights to impromptu gigs with live bands. There have been so many moments of laughter and music echoing through these walls.
When the weather’s kind, we love dining on the roof terrace — it’s private, peaceful, and offers spectacular views over London. Watching the New Year’s fireworks from up there never gets old. But perhaps the best memories are simply the everyday ones — the rhythm of life in a home that’s both creative and calm, in a neighbourhood that feels truly alive.
What are your favourite local spots for dining, shopping, or unwinding?
East Dulwich has a wonderfully independent spirit. Lordship Lane is full of character, with a mix of quirky shops, cosy cafés, and restaurants that feel like local institutions.
Our two favourite eateries are just around the corner on Northcross Road — a great Thai restaurant that’s bring-your-own-bottle (always a bonus), and a Japanese spot that serves the best sushi and tonkatsu. The East Dulwich Tavern is our go-to pub — relaxed atmosphere, good food, and a brilliant comedy night where big names often test out new material.
We love the Picturehouse Cinema on Lordship Lane too. It’s so close that we’ll often head there on a whim instead of watching something at home. Saturdays wouldn’t be the same without the Northcross Road Market — vintage finds, delicious street food, and a fresh loaf of bread for a long weekend breakfast.
When we crave a little greenery, Dulwich Woods feels like the countryside, and Dulwich Village offers a perfect Sunday stroll, complete with grand pubs and hidden gardens.
We’re regulars at Dulwich Picture Gallery — the world’s oldest public art gallery — whose exhibitions are consistently inspiring. And don’t miss The Horniman Museum, with its award-winning gardens and panoramic views across the city.
What inspired your home’s design?
One of us is an architect, the other a textile designer and artist — and our friends often say you can see both of us in every corner of the house
Nik’s architectural influences come from traditional Japanese design — he worked in Tokyo for a time, studying minimalist homes that use sliding screens, clever storage, and flexible spaces. You can see those ideas here in the flow and adaptability of the rooms.
He’s also long admired Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre in Paris. After visiting it, elements like the double-height spaces, mezzanine shelving, and light-filled structure found their way into our design. Suzsi’s studio sits on a glass mezzanine overlooking the living areas, where natural light pours in through a vast opening rooflight to the terrace above.
A slightly eccentric influence was a French film we love called Diva, set in a converted warehouse where people glide about on roller skates — gloriously impractical, but full of freedom. That spirit of living creatively, on your own terms, became a guiding principle.
Have you had any unusual or unexpected experiences living here?
No ghosts or mysteries — though our neighbours have occasionally raised an eyebrow! Our home has appeared in several design magazines and books, and it’s been used for various film and TV shoots. We’ve been selective, but they’ve always been fun — and the fees have funded a few memorable holidays!
What continually surprises us is the strength of community here. Many local shops are run by people who live nearby, and every summer the Archdale Road street party brings everyone together. It’s that balance of city life and neighbourly warmth that makes East Dulwich so special.
What do you love most about living in this area?
It’s hard to know where to start. We’re just minutes from central London, yet surrounded by green parks, excellent schools, and a real sense of local identity.
When our son was young, there was always plenty to do. The transport links are fantastic — Nik could get from home to his architectural practice near Borough Market in under half an hour. These days, we rarely drive; everything we need is within walking distance. The Old School is right in the heart of East Dulwich, but our particular home is tucked away, wonderfully quiet and private.
What’s next for you — and how does selling fit into that plan?
Deciding to move has been incredibly hard. This home has given us so much, but with our son grown up, we no longer need all the space. We’re ready for a new adventure — to travel, explore, and eventually, to find our next project.
What do you think will most appeal to a future buyer?
The flexibility. Every space here can evolve as life changes — and ours certainly has. Rooms have shifted from nursery to study, playroom to studio, guest room to workspace. The games room could easily become two bedrooms or a large suite; the storage could transform into a utility room.
Each year, during the Dulwich Festival Artists’ Open House, we turn our home into an art gallery to showcase Suzsi’s paintings. The natural light makes it a beautiful space to live — or to create. It’s not just a home; it’s an experience, waiting to be reimagined by its next custodians.
If you could give one piece of advice to a potential buyer, what would it be?
Take time to explore the area. The Old School sits in the sweet spot — central yet quiet, convenient yet tucked away. Everything you need is within walking distance, and once you’ve spent a little time here, you’ll understand why we fell in love with it.
And if you were Housing Minister for a month?
We’d put design excellence at the heart of housing policy. Good design isn’t an indulgence — it’s transformative. It builds community, improves wellbeing, and creates places people truly want to live.
London’s affordability crisis is pushing out young creatives — the very people who give the city its pulse. We’d launch a bold social housing programme to rebalance that, ensuring that London remains not just a city of opportunity, but of imagination.
Nik & Suzsi’s unique home is for sale discreetly, exclusively through us.
Details can be found here.
Call 020 3987 1739 or email [email protected].
