A few summers ago, I found myself in London, where I was to be a bridesmaid in the wedding of my childhood best friend. While I was obviously excited for the event itself, my enthusiasm and intrigue grew when I found out we’d be staying at a sprawling stone lodge built in 1865.
When I first stepped out of my cab and onto the drizzly road, my friend ran outside to flag me down, something the group had to get used to—made entirely of stone and situated on the Fulham Cemetery grounds, the home presents more like a Victorian chapel than an Airbnb, making it a bit difficult to recognize. It only took one step beyond the gates and up the immaculately manicured driveway to assuage any and all doubts bobbing around in my head. From a distance, the home may have looked like a step back in time, but the updated walkways and subtle water features—all of which still managed to complement the existing old-school architecture—immediately evoked a sense of calm.
The first thing I noticed when I waltzed inside the property was that it felt incredibly bright and airy. The layout flowed seamlessly from the foyer to the fully equipped kitchen, which opened up to the dining area. This is where we spent most of our time on the wedding day, getting ready around the large counters, perfect for accommodating all the makeup artists and hair tools needed to get the bridal show on the road. The dining area was fully lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the perfectly landscaped backyard.
The home’s size and layout proved to be a major convenience for the wedding party and the family of the bride. There were two living areas with cozy couches and TVs, as well as a den that featured a whiskey library. These large communal spaces were separate yet close enough to the rest of the house to foster a feeling of intimacy. Considering the home sprawled across three floors, including a spacious basement, this was something of a feat.
Each floor has its own bedrooms, some with attached baths, all of which were far enough from the living spaces to allow for a sense of privacy. The five bedrooms (two with king beds, two with doubles, and one with a sofa bed) were all well-appointed with comfortable mattresses and linens, and the showers were equipped with small toiletry bottles.
Without a doubt, the real star of the show was the basement. A giant glass roof let in natural light, illuminating the wide spiral staircase leading down into the space. There, in addition to two bedrooms and a wine cellar, was a subterranean swimming pool every bit as enchanting as the one all of the girls knew from Taylor Swift’s Cornelia Street apartment in New York City. We rotated between the pool and the sauna, which was in the same area and featured floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the pool deck.
One of the more convenient features was the large laundry room, equipped with irons and steamers that came in handy as we prepped our dresses and outfits throughout the week. It was also nice to have a washing machine and dryer on hand for any emergencies.
A favorite memory from my stay came the day after the wedding, when a small group of us had time to hang around the backyard and patio, enjoying the sun (which finally managed to show its face) and the grounds, with multiple water features, sculptures, and gorgeous plants.
