Wonderland

Fun for all the family? You betcha. Kids will go bananas for the murals and the heaps of books and toys, while for adults there’s a freestanding tin bath, stylish contemporary furniture and a music room that’ll have everyone trilling with joy. This large and luscious home is jam-packed with quirky pieces, from the sitting room’s powder blue velvet sofa to the psychedelic rug, and you could spend hours admiring the hand-printed wallpaper. You’re just a street from Portobello Road, where every Saturday the pavements are crammed with antique canvases and curios. The cafes and gastropubs of Westbourne Grove are close enough for brunch, and you’re surrounded by glorious garden squares.
The fantastic five
Your hosts are a cheerful family with three energetic kids and they use the school holidays to hit the beach. A happy, contented bunch, you’ll often find them romping around Kensington Gardens.
Glory be

This home is a symphony of textures - taffeta, silk, glass and wood blending together in exquisite harmony. Take a seat at the piano, enjoy the top-spec stereo, or cook up a storm in the beautiful kitchen. The sitting room manages to be both retro and entirely up to date, while there’s a timelessness to the four bedrooms, with their prettily papered walls. The master en suite is as gorgeous as they come, with wood panelling and a freestanding tub.