Country Airs and Graces

Octagon’s newly built mansion set in 3 acres of lavishly landscaped grounds looks a more likely neighbour to the rurally situated Downton Abbey rather than its true location, a 20 minute tube ride from Euston Station.

Actually resident in Totteridge, London N20, the Romanesque style property complete with tower accessed by two separate gated entrances. The new house, which has taken two years to construct, was inspired by the Victorian Gentleman’s Residence that originally stood in the grounds.

With an ancient parish church, cricket club, ponds and paddocks, Totteridge is a conservation area much favoured by captains of industry, titled gentry and the odd sporting legend.

The home has been exquisitely decorated and furnished by Rachel Beckett of R Interiors, and features a number of fine period-style details, cleverly combined with the latest 21st century comforts.

Perfect for both grand entertaining and relaxed family living, all of the rooms breathe quality and elegance, starting with the spectacular double height main hall, with its classic marble floor and specially commissioned Italian chandelier cascading down from the top of the house. The broad sweep of bespoke carpeted marble stairs and lofty full height windows add an aristocratic ambience, whilst a discreetly positioned passenger lift, which serves all three levels of the house, will definitely find favour with owners and staff alike.

On the ground floor, a broad cream lacquered panelled corridor leads from the hall to the principal rooms, namely drawing, dining and family rooms, library and super-size kitchen with informal dining area.

The kitchen has a large island breakfast bar, bespoke painted cabinetry, a hidden walk in pantry, and an impressive range of built-in Wolf and Gaggenau appliances. But if big parties are on the agenda, there’s always the lower level professional catering kitchen, which is fitted out with commercial stainless steel appliances and linked to the upper level kitchen by an electrically operated dumb waiter.

A full glass wall dramatically separates the kitchen from the indoor swimming pool and the very comprehensive spa and leisure suite below. Accessed from the main house by a glass bridge, the suite features a 10 metre pool, steam room and changing room with shower, fully equipped gymnasium and on-trend games room, kitted out with a purple pool table and selection of retro pin ball and video games.

On the first floor are 5 sumptuous bedroom suites, all with generous runs of custom built fitted wardrobes. The Master bedroom suite offers a spectacular bathroom clad in exquisite book-matched Calacata marble, and a walk-in dressing room lined with polished Mahogany cupboards.

A further flight of stairs leads into the top of the tower, the perfect look-out post with three viewing windows, and an extended roof space, ideal as an office or studio eyrie.

More delights await on the lower ground floor; a temperature controlled wine cellar with comfortable tasting area, and a fourteen seater cinema room. With electrically-controlled reclining seats, a giant 10 foot wide screen, and the cinema’s own fully-stocked cocktail bar, who needs the bother of travelling to Leicester Square?

Beyond the leisure complex is a four car garage, above which is a self-contained spacious two bedroom apartment. Depending on the household, the apartment would make excellent staff accommodation or granny annexe.

Outside, the secluded 3 acres of gardens are arranged into three large expanses of lawn and woodland, with wide sheltered paved terraces bordering the house and leisure complex, easily accessed in fine weather by wide fold back doors.

48 Totteridge Common is priced at £16m and is available to view strictly by appointment with joint agents Statons 020 8445 or Knight Frank 020 7861 600.