Decorating Norland Square

Norland Square is one of west London's finest early Victorian garden squares, laid out in the 1840s as part of the Norland Estate and enclosing a large private communal garden at its centre. The square is lined on all four sides with handsome stucco-fronted and London-brick terraced houses of considerable uniformity and quality, presenting one of the most complete early Victorian streetscapes in the area. The combination of intact architecture, mature gardens, and quiet residential character gives Norland Square a prestige and tranquility rare so close to central London.

Maintaining the uniform stucco facades of Norland Square requires carefully matched paint colours and finishes to preserve the square's harmonious appearance, and many residents coordinate with their neighbours on redecoration cycles. The communal garden provides good all-round access but scaffolding must be erected sensitively to avoid damage to the private garden railings and planting.