London’s charm lies in its neighbourhoods, each offering a unique story and a sense of community. Today, we’re delighted to feature Florence, a French expat whose journey in London beautifully captures the city’s ability to inspire. With a background as an architect and a career as a graphic designer and photographer, Florence has a natural eye for beauty and detail. Her love for her family and her Earlsfield neighbourhood, South West of London, near Wimbledon shines through her stunning photographs, which bring this article to life.
Through Florence’s lens, we’ll uncover the hidden gems, family-friendly spaces, and creative spirit that make Earlsfield and Wimbledon so special. Join us in exploring these vibrant neighbourhoods and discovering their charm through the eyes of someone who calls them home.
Where is home?
Since the summer of 2019, we’ve been living in Earlsfield near Wimbledon area, which is just a 15-minute train ride from London Waterloo, making it easily accessible. Before moving here, we spent over a decade in Central London, living between Borough and Bermondsey. During that time, we got to know the area well and witnessed its extensive transformation over the years.
Property and Interior Design
What do you love the most about your property
We live in an Edwardian terraced house, and I’m charmed by the character of older homes. The walls are thin, and the insulation isn’t the best, but I fell in love with the garden. It features three beautiful trees—a pear tree, a red maple, and an olive tree—with their green, red, and silvery leaves, along with lush bushes and a gorgeous wisteria.
Your favourite room at home and why
My favourite spot in the house is the ‘box room’ above the hallway. It’s a compact space of less than 4 square metres with a big window, and it’s where I work. This little room is my own space, and even though it’s small, it helps me focus (most of the time!) and makes a difference in how I feel about my work. Having a dedicated workspace is so important, even if I still enjoy working from the kitchen table, the garden, or even my bed.
Where do you shop for furniture and deco?
Our furniture is mainly from Ikea, which we chose because we didn’t expect to stay here as long as we have. Some pieces are over 15 years old and still holding up well! I appreciate the versatility and clever design of Ikea furniture, but I dream of adding bespoke joinery someday, as well as a high-quality armchair—if only the rooms were bigger!
I’m drawn to Scandinavian style and admire iconic pieces from brands like Fritz Hansen (we even have a wooden Christmas tree from there). I’m also inspired by Vitra’s collection, and someday I’d love to own those classic Eames chairs.
Neighbourhood and Lifestyle
The hidden gem only locals know about in your area
Every Saturday, we enjoy visiting the local farmers’ market, and nearby, Earlsfield High Street is full of charming independent shops. I highly recommend Belle Amie for coffee, the Home Community Café never disappoints with its simple yet delicious comfort food at reasonable prices. (a cosy café in a church with quirky furniture and plenty of space for prams), and Home at Last, a lovely home shop owned by Juliette.
Another gem is The Eclectic Collection, where I often order the fancy blue tea. The interior is, true to its name, quite eclectic, making it a fun place to hang out. They also serve great croissants and offer a secret menu every week—be sure to book in advance!
We also venture to Arthur Road near Wimbledon Park Station, where you’ll find Benvenuti, a fantastic Italian coffee, deli spot, and Saucer and Cup, which is perfect for a coffee or a nice lunch.
Closer to home, The Drop on Revelstoke Road serves amazing hot chocolates with different varieties. And closer to Southfields station, Brookwood Garden has recently opened. It’s a peaceful spot with a patio, an outdoor toddlers’ play area, and delicious food.
Your favourite restaurant
One of my top restaurant picks would be Smoke and Salt in Tooting and Viet town in Wandsworth Town. Smoke and Salt is not exactly local, but it’s definitely worth the trip! While it may not be the best choice for a meal with kids, it’s perfect for a date night or a dinner with friends. I love Vietnamese food and Viet Town is located in Wandsworth Town. It is about half an hour walk through the park from where we live and reasonably priced and perfect for a quick lunch. You can wander on Old York Road where there are nice little cafés.
Your favourite park
My favourite park in the area is King George’s Park, which stretches from Earlsfield to Wandsworth along the River Wandle. It’s a wonderful place to spend time, and there’s a huge playground near the Wandsworth end. We can recommend Nuffield gym in the park (with swimming lessons for children) and The Font, a climbing (bouldering) place which also offers children classes. When we can, we enjoy cycling along the Wandle Trail all the way to Morden Hall Park and beyond.
Although Wimbledon Common is a bit of a trek for us, especially since we have to climb the hill, it’s always worth it for a woodland stroll. Most people cycle or drive there. Just make sure to bring your wellies in the autumn and winter!
London for Family
The perfect family day out in London
As a family, we love spending time in our former neighbourhood of Bermondsey (when we can), visiting the Tate Modern, strolling along Bankside, having lunch near More London or Shad Thames, and meeting with old friends.
Now that we live further from Central London, we also enjoy exploring High Street Kensington, which is closer to us. We like visiting the Japan House and the Design Museum, and there are plenty of great dining options in the area. We often finish our outing with a walk through Holland Park or Kensington Gardens.
Do you have children and why is your area great for children?
We have two children, now aged 12 and 9, and we’re fortunate to have plenty of local amenities for families. Our nearby park has a playground and gym equipment, and in general, we’re surrounded by an abundance of green spaces and activities for kids.
Our children attend a large state primary school with a three-form entry. The teachers are excellent and nurturing, creating a positive environment for the students. One of the things I truly appreciate about our area is the strong sense of community. It feels like living in a small village—walking down the street often turns into a friendly chat with a neighbour or a fellow school parent.
Having our kids’ friends just a short walk away makes it easy to organise spontaneous playdates or meet up at the local playground. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.
The time of the year you prefer
My favourite time of year in London is spring. It’s when nature comes back to life, the city shakes off its grey, and we get to enjoy longer days filled with energy and colour.
The best piece of advice you’ve been given
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received—especially relevant for parents or those planning to have children—is to thoroughly research both primary and secondary schools before choosing a new home. It may not be the most exciting advice, but in hindsight, I wish I’d spent more time looking into it. The process of applying for secondary schools in London can be quite challenging. .
Your favourite place in the world to have a holiday home and why
If I could have a holiday home, I’d love one in Switzerland, either by a serene lake or in the mountains, or perhaps in the rolling hills of Tuscany.
In addition, now that I know a bit more of the UK, Scotland or Wales might be great options too!
Business related
An experience (professional or personal) that only London could have bring you
London has given me more professional opportunities than I could have ever imagined. There’s a sense here that anything is possible—people are willing to give you a chance, or you can create opportunities for yourself. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of this dynamic city.
When I first arrived, I worked as an architect in various offices. But after having children, I transitioned to freelance work, exploring graphic design and photography (check out SengFlo designs!). I even developed a range of bilingual flashcards, which I sold both online and at local markets.
Being a freelancer certainly has its perks. With a busy family life and my husband working long hours, I’m the primary caregiver, so having a flexible schedule that fits around the kids’ activities has been invaluable.
What is your next property move?
Our next property move will hopefully be buying a house or place of our own. We’ve always rented, but I feel a strong desire to have a space we can truly make our own.
Florence’s story is a beautiful reminder of how London’s neighbourhoods have the power to inspire, connect, and create a sense of belonging.
We’re so grateful for the glimpse into her world and can’t wait to try some of these hidden gems ourselves!
Thank you, Florence, for sharing your journey and for inspiring us to see the city through your eyes. It’s always a pleasure to discover how London feels like home for so many different people in such unique ways.
Florence Rozensztajn | Follow Flo on Instagram
