Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.
This week, we’re back in London – Tottenham, to be precise.
Anyone who’s a fan of the OG YouTube days will fondly remember Estée Lalonde (AKA Essie Button), who stole the hearts of millions with her down-to-earth, candid vlogging style.
Having moved to London from Canada, she decided to document her new life abroad — and in the process, started filming beauty content.
Now, she’s founded her own wellbeing brand and has since taken up use of the co-working spaces available in her £3,000 per month block of flats.
Here’s what she had to say about her property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! My name is Estée Lalonde, I recently turned 34 and I live in North London with my Greek rescue dog named Effie (adopted via Wild at Heart Foundation). I was born and raised in Canada, but I consider myself a Londoner now that I’ve lived here for 15 years.
My career began in the beauty space as a content creator when I was about 20 years old. It was a much different time then!
I was sharing my life with my audience (now over 2 million across social platforms) because I was seeking connection after moving to a new country, but I had no idea it would become my career. I used beauty and self-care as a form of self-expression and have been lucky enough to call this my job ever since.
Over the years, I’ve cultivated a loyal community who have grown with me. I have shared my beauty and skincare recommendations, alongside an open dialogue about my own struggles with anxiety and depression — not claiming to fix all problems with a bit of lipstick or body oil, but sharing how the rituals of doing my makeup or having a hot bath can help to lift me up on a dark day, even if only for a moment.
I founded my own wellbeing brand MIRROR WATER in 2021 (stocked in Liberty and Space NK). It’s a brand for people who like ‘wellness’ but are tired of being told how to be well — because everybody is different, and you need to look within to find those answers.
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Water is nature’s mirror, and MIRROR WATER is rooted in self-reflection and looking inward to go outward.
What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?
I rent a spacious two-bed apartment in Way of Life’s The Sessile, based in Tottenham Hale. I’ve been happy here for 1.5 years.
How much do you pay to live here?
£3,000 per month.
And what do you get for what you pay?
A two-bed apartment with a balcony, main bathroom with a bathtub (essential for me) and an ensuite shower room. There’s an open-plan living space where the kitchen and dining space flows straight into the living room too, which I love.
Both bedrooms have big built-in wardrobes, which is a godsend for a girl with a lot of clothes! I also get secure parking with electric charging and full access to all the amenities in the building.
Speaking of amenities, this is what drew me to the building in the first place. As the founder of a start-up, I fell in love with the Orangery; a beautiful co-working space available to all residents.
I work from home and don’t have an office, so having a place to work that’s more social is great for my mood. Also, the gym is truly one of the most stunning gyms I’ve ever seen — so gorgeous it actually inspires me to work out!
Also included are well-looked-after communal gardens, a 24-hour concierge, wifi, a rooftop terrace, bike storage, private dining rooms with a back-of-house kitchen for caterers, and a bespoke events programme.
I really appreciate the 24/7 concierge because I get a lot of parcels and don’t always have time to rush to the door when I have a day of back-to-back meetings.
Do you feel like you have a good deal?
Definitely, there are so many perks of living in The Sessile. In fact, any time my friends come over I go into sales mode and take everyone on a tour.
A great perk of living here is that there are lots of organised workout classes like yoga and HIIT – free to residents!
What do you love to do in your flat?
I’m a serious homebody, so my living space is very important to me. I use my second bedroom as an office — the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout are great for bringing in so much natural light., especially during the colder and darker months.
I spend a lot of time in the bathtub — my ultimate safe space! So a good bathroom with a deep tub is a must for me. I love the brass finishes and detail in both of my bathrooms here.
I also spent a lot of time relaxing on my balcony this summer, especially with a good book and a glass of wine. I’m up pretty high and have a great view of Alexandra Palace in the distance.
Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?
The Sessile is based in Tottenham Hale, a short walk away from Walthamstow Wetlands and Wildlife Reserve, where I love to walk my dog Effie.
The Tube is also a couple minutes’ walk away, meaning I can get to meetings in Central London in 20 minutes and Stansted Airport in 45 minutes. I truly don’t know what I did before the Victoria Line. I’ve been spoiled!
Tottenham is still very much an up-and-coming area, but it has been fun to see new restaurants, fitness studios and cafés slowly popping up around me. A lot of my friends have started buying property in the area because it’s a well-connected area that’s on its way to a glow-up.
How did you find this property?
The rental market is a scary place and I was desperate to find something that felt clean, safe and fresh. I was obsessively googling and scrolling through estate agent’s websites when I finally saw The Sessile. I thought it was too good to be true!
I decided to book a viewing and the entire time I was saying to myself ‘what’s the catch’. 1.5 years on and I can say there have been no hidden fees or negatives that I can think of.
How have you made this place feel like home?
My apartment is mostly neutral, which I love — white walls, a modern white kitchen and wood effect flooring.
I like a clean, minimal space, however I’ve made the flat feel like home with gorgeous rugs, cosy furniture, warm lighting, green plants and lots of candles. The bathrooms both have coloured tiles which add a nice touch of personality too.
Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting? Is your landlord happy with you doing bits?
When I moved into the space, it was brand new. I really didn’t feel like I had to do any decorating at all. Of course, I’ve hung up a few pieces of art, but the same rules apply here that apply to any rental property.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Absolutely. In fact, if I didn’t work from home I think I would be comfortable in a one-bedroom flat because they are so spacious. But because of the nature of my work, I do need that extra workspace.
What would you like to have but don’t with this flat?
I say it all the time as a joke, but the only thing The Sessile is missing is a pool. If there was a pool, I swear I would never leave. Wishful thinking!
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
No problems so far! It’s been smooth sailing — touch wood.
Do you have plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?
I am in a unique position in the sense that I’m already a homeowner. I purchased a flat in South East London roughly seven years ago and unfortunately, I have been unable to put it on the market due to issues around the cladding in the building.
For personal reasons, I no longer wanted to live in that flat, but when the issues are dealt with, I think I’ll probably sell it and move to the countryside! Who knows though — life can be unpredictable.
Shall we take a look around?
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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