Collison Place, London N16

Light-filled and dynamic, this two-bedroom house forms part of Collison Place, an award-winning gated mews that backs onto Stoke Newington's Abney Park and Cemetery. Inside, meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design work to produce a calm, fluent home. In addition to its private courtyard garden, Collison Place is minutes from the green expanses of Clissold Park.

The Architect

Julian Cowie Architects is an acclaimed London-based architecture studio with expertise in residential, commercial, and civic projects. Their design philosophy focuses on creating unique responses to site and context, achieving simplicity and elegance in their design through extensive client collaboration. The practice has won several awards, including the National Homebuilders Design Award in 2004 for Collison Place.

The Tour

Surrounded by the mature trees of Abney Park, the house is at the end of a quiet, gated mews. An interplay of brick, wooden panels and geometric glazing, the buildings sit harmoniously in their leafy location. The house has a designated parking position in front.

Entry is to a bright and generous hallway with a handy WC. Oak parquet flooring runs across the entire ground floor. At the rear is a well-proportioned living area, where double-height ceilings and a dramatic panel of glazing foster an airy feel. From here is a home office with storage space and access to the courtyard garden.

On the first floor, the kitchen and dining room have been cleverly staggered in a diagonal arrangement. The kitchen is composed of seamless grey cabinetry with integrated appliances. The dining space sits opposite, with a wraparound corner window that frames views of the nearby park.

The second floor is given over to the two bedrooms, one with an en suite shower room. A lovely family bathroom has frosted glass as well as a free-standing bath.

Outside Space

There is a private, pebbled courtyard garden that opens from the rear living space, with room for outdoor seating. Ivy has begun to cover the trellis above blue-painted fencing along one boundary. The house's end-of-row position makes it a particularly peaceful part of the development; the predominant noise is birdsong from adjacent trees.

The Area

Collison Place is within easy reach of the independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs of Stoke Newington; The Good Egg and The Coach and Horses are neighbourhood favourites and are both a short walk away. The Jolly Butchers pub is on the corner of Garnham Street and is a local institution specialising in craft beer and excellent pub food.

Much-loved Church Street is home to The Spence Bakery, Rasa and Whole Foods, as well as many other independent businesses. There is also the council-run Stoke Newington Library located in a stately Grade II-listed Victorian building. Newington Green is a short walk away, as are Cadet and Primeur, which was described as “the perfect neighbourhood restaurant.”

Abney Park and Cemetery - one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' - is moments away on foot, while Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve is just around the corner. Clissold Park, with its tennis courts, popular café, beautiful lakes and resident deer, is a 10-minute walk away.

Stoke Newington Overground Station is around a five-minute walk away and runs regular services to Liverpool Street (15 minutes) and to Seven Sisters (five minutes) for the Victoria Line to the West End. Manor House and Finsbury Park Stations are also within easy reach, as are numerous local bus routes.

Council Tax Band: E
Service Charge: Approx. £1,200 per annum