the place:
Fran's place is a hidden gem in East London. I spent 4 weeks in Fran's gorgeous and quirky home and can't say enough good things about it. The space itself is totally unique: filled with plants and art, airy and bright in the main spaces and downstairs work areas, cozy and calm in the loft bedrooms. He's even rigged a self-watering system for the plants outside each bedroom, which means there's a really nice zen garden sound that floats around and creates a soothing ambiance. There's lots of storage in the downstairs private rooms, and Fran has gone out of his way to create spaces for his guests to nest (such as a dedicated fridge, a separate cabinet for pantry food storage, and your own drawer in the bathroom for toiletries). He's even labeled where everything is so you can go ahead and find kitchen items, spare towels, and more at your own discretion. I'd particularly recommend the space for people coming for school or business, as the workspace setup couldn't have been better, WiFi was reliable, there's an in-unit washer and dryer, and the fully stocked kitchen made preparing meals a breeze.
A quick note about the bedrooms: shorter people may be more comfortable since the loft ceilings are quite low, but given the separation of rooms and the fact that you don't have to get ready or store things in the bedroom, it might not matter.
A quick note about the studio: as clearly noted in the listing, this room is in an active photography studio and your stay may overlap with a shoot or two. Fran was very quick to communicate the scope and hours of each shoot ahead of time so I could plan around it if necessary, and I was even welcome to sit and watch the magic happen during some of the less complex shoots (which I highly recommend!!). He also is clear in his COVID expectations and requires a same-day negative test from all shoot participants, which is really nice for guests to feel safe.
the host:
Fran himself is friendly, considerate, and engaging. He's as ready to sit and share a glass of wine with you at the end of the day as he is to give you your own space when you need it. When I made the choice to shorten my reservation in order to be closer to university, he was completely understanding and supportive, even offering me a refund for my unused days despite the fact that the cancellation policy clearly stated he didn't have to. Fran is also an incredibly receptive host: if there's anything that he can do to make the stay easier or more comfortable, all you need to do is ask. He's a kind and respectful roommate and a really interesting person -- I loved getting to know him!
the takeaway:
If you've ever wondered what a day (or several) in the life of a prominent artist is like, don't skip the chance to stay with Fran. I felt totally at home and didn't want to leave. Amazing space with an amazing host -- will definitely be staying again the next time I'm in East London!