Spacious, atmospheric, plant-filled flatshare

Hi! I'm Ryan, a landscape architect looking for a flatmate in the spacious, lovely flat I've lived in in Hackney for just over two years now.

THE FLAT: is a rather lovely situation. In an 1860s terrace house gutted and turned into a maisonette in the 60s, it has a very vertical staircase winding up through its centre, serving three tall floors. The flat reads as tall and spacious, with three storeys in total. Big windows on the north (front) side of the flat let in ample diffuse light. The ground floor is an office/lounge, as well as a half-bath and quite a bit of storage under the stairs. 1/F features the lovely kitchen with butchers block counter, gas range, oven and washer, and opposite it the room for let. 2/F is my room and the main bath, with shower/bath, towel rack and a beautiful view out the window of the City of London skyline. Shared space is ample, and furnished, though it's a plus if you happen to come with some communal furniture to share- changing and slightly refurbishing this place is both possible and something I'm interested to do (I have in mind to paint and refurbish the downstairs office once you're moved in.) The entire vibe is warm, well-loved but clean, and full of plants, which I grow (and propagate) compulsively and love to share. If you want some for your room, I'll happily oblige.

Please note, the "Furnished" aspect of this flat applies to public areas- we have more than enough for our needs, but if you want to bring furniture, I'm happy to discuss swapping it out for some of what we have. In general the landlord (who is a friend and very kind) is open to changes, painting, rearrangement, drilling, whatever. The bedroom for let is mostly unfurnished; you'll need to bring your own bed.

The ROOM: light-filled and suitable for a really cosy existence. It has the best light in the flat as it faces south, and looks down on our downstairs neighbours' garden. You step out and across the landing into the lovely kitchen. You'll need to bring a bed and other furniture for the room. It faces a garden between roads so is quite quiet. I'd say about 25sqm in total.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: the north bank of windows looks out on Graham Road and we are located about 5 mins' quick walk from both Hackney Central and Hackney Downs stations on the Overground; Dalston Junction is on the other side, about 10 mins' walk away. Bus service is also very good, with the 38 and 242 stopping right outside. London Fields is 3 blocks south, and Dalston staples like Violet Bakery, the Spurstowe Arms and everything else on Wilton Way are around the corner or behind the flat; Broadway Market is a 15 minute walk. For groceries and essentials, there's an Aldi, a large Tesco, a large Sainsbury's, and an M&S all within 10 mins' walk. Our flat is entered through a shared stairwell, and all neighbours within this address are young, creative, good fun, and we hang out from time to time.

THE COST: Rent is £1000pcm, with which bills are not included. I handle all of those and at present they come to about £150 a month. I handle bills, and paying them is as simple as a monthly direct debit to me.

ME: I'm Special Projects Director at a global landscape architecture firm that started as a land art practice and focuses on culture, art, and climate. This role involves a lot of talking, and I'm friendly and outgoing. I'm originally from Virginia in the eastern US but moved to China at 24 and spent most of my adult life in Shanghai, until Covid. I've been in London for a bit over 3 years, and hope to stay- this flat is long-term for me. I'm organised and attentive to cleanliness, and want the same- someone who doesn't mind sharing the burden of keeping this rather large place clean. I've made a lot of strides in these past two years in terms of getting this flat there. I like company and, for instance, cooking and eating together, or sharing friends- also very busy, working between the office in Southwark and this flat, about half and half. In general, I value discussion, am willing to compromise, would want to set some ground rules as best practice at the outset, and within that framework am looking for someone with whom a friendship can grow!

YOU: I think best for this flat is a professional with a career that takes them to the office on weekdays, probably early 30s or above. Gender doesn't matter to me, but kindness, openness and friendliness do. It's quite possible here to keep mostly to yourself or to mingle as you like- I welcome both. It's also quite suited to light making, which I do frequently and welcome someone who likes to do the same. Someone social, with interests they're passionate about, is a plus. I love a dinner party!

Again, this flat is well-loved in the best way - the atmosphere is really lovely- but this does require some care. So, it'd be essential that you're neat and clean, open to sharing the burden of tidying common spaces as well as the occasional deeper clean.

On the other hand, if you like to make a place your own, this place is about as blank a canvas as there is.