#STORIES
8 September, 2025
Meet the Homeowner - Matthew Williamson
Meet onefinestay London homeowner Matthew Williamson with this exclusive Q&A.
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The Address Book : Hereford Square
Published
3 November, 2025
Edited
23 February, 2026
Tucked into one of South Kensington’s iconic garden squares, this Victorian townhouse is a study in modern London style: heritage on the outside, contemporary design within. The white stucco façade, framed by black railings and a leafy square, speaks to its 19th-century grandeur. Step inside and the vibe shifts to something very ‘now’; expressive, and unmistakably lived-in. This isn’t a cookie-cutter London home. Hereford Square has a personality that’s entirely its own.
The Architecture: Classic London Bones
It doesn’t get more quintessentially London than Hereford Square. Built in the mid-1800s, these homes were designed around private communal gardens, offering residents a rare retreat in the heart of the city. Step inside and the proportions are classic and grand: tall sash windows, generously high ceilings, and rooms that refuse to feel cramped, especially by London standards.
Light pours through elongated windows and lands softly across oak floors and furniture that has been carefully curated by the homeowners. Here, the layout unfolds vertically, in traditional townhouse fashion, creating distinct living spaces on each floor.
The Interiors: Substance and Style
The distinguishing design feature here? Restraint. This is a home that feels confident, rather than overstated. A neutral palette throughout the home feels warm and considered. Layers of natural texture, tailored upholstery, and sculptural lighting feel clearly chosen (rather than just acquired).
Three living spaces each serve a distinct purpose. A low-slung sofa anchors the sitting room, inviting long evenings with a glass of red and a stack of books, while statement lounge chairs in the second living room will have you rescheduling in favour of movie night. A third light-filled space is ideal for cozy catch-ups over coffee.
In the kitchen, clean-lined cabinets meet tactile surfaces and professional-grade appliances. It’s a space designed for proper cooking, not just looking pretty. The adjoining dining area is equally at ease hosting a candlelit dinner or a casual late breakfast, with a statement marble fireplace acting as centrepiece.
Upstairs, the bedrooms adopt a softer tone. Crisp linens, layered textiles, and soft furnishings create rooms that feel balanced and inviting. The bathrooms follow suit: polished stone, rainfall showers, warm lighting. They encourage you to slow your pace, and in a city that moves (very) quickly, that matters.
“Hereford Square captures what we look for in a London home: design that feels both considered and completely liveable, set in a neighborhood that defines the city at its best. It’s heritage and modernity in perfect balance. ”
Sophie Howse, Chief Commercial Officer
The Address: Art and Culture on Your Doorstep
Yes, you can walk to the V&A before breakfast and reach Hyde Park by afternoon, but what makes South Kensington so special is its balance: cultural heavyweight by day, buzzing local neighborhood by night.
Mornings might begin at a local café along Old Brompton Road (we recommend Mulliri LDN), coffee in hand, watching a mix of families, art students, and long-time residents pass by. A short stroll takes you to the Design Museum or the Natural History Museum, institutions that anchor the area’s intellectual pedigree.
But, equally compelling are the everyday activities: browsing the independent shops along Gloucester Road, slipping into Drop Kensignton, a favorite low-key wine bar, or wandering toward Hyde Park for an afternoon reset.
The Feeling: Staying Like a Local, Living Like Yourself
Hereford Square is so captivating because it never tries too hard. It honors its Victorian heritage without being beholden to it. It embraces modern design without sacrificing warmth. It understands that luxury is less about excess and more about ease.
For the design-minded traveler, Hereford Square offers something rarer than square footage or postcode prestige. It offers a London stay shaped by timeless taste, rather than trend.
