Cephas Avenue, London E1

Renovated by Studio Mash, this two-bedroom apartment in Stepney, east London, occupies the first floor of a former Victorian pub. It sits on the corner of two quiet streets, with sweeping sash windows that draw in plenty of light. Stepney Green station is a five-minute walk away, while Victoria Park, Mile End Cemetery Park and Bethnal Green Gardens are all within 20 minutes of the apartment.

The Tour

Entry is from the peaceful street, via a communal staircase that stretches up to the apartment's private front door. A central hallway lies behind, from which each room branches off. High ceilings amplify the apartment's spaciousness, while floorboards painted in Farrow & Ball's 'Blackened' spread underfoot.

Three soaring sash windows punctuate the curved wall in the living room, drawing in plenty of natural light and framing views across the area's stock of 19th-century architecture. Its proportions are generous, with plenty of space for a dining table and for soft seating. The walls here are painted in soothing 'Dash of Soot' by Little Greene, a gentle shade enhanced by room's brightness.

The kitchen sits adjacent to the living room, with another sash window at the far end. Space has been cleverly used here: two rows of cabinetry, one wider and one narrower, run along either side, providing plenty of preparation space along walnut wood and quartz countertops. A four-ring hob and a deep ceramic sink sit beneath a striking splash-back formed of midnight blue cement tiles from Mosaic Factory. Hung cabinetry runs along one wall, while long open shelves glide along the other.

Both bedrooms are bright spaces with similarly generous ceiling heights. The main bedroom has a deep built-in cupboard, while the second has a cupboard and tall alcove-set shelves. Finished with a crisp white palette, the bathroom lies centrally and has a walk-in rain-style shower as well as Calacatta viola marble floor.

The apartment also has a designated parking spot for one car.

The Area

A thriving range of traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants exist in Stepney Green and Bethnal Green. Neighbourhood favourites include Tyabbs, East London institution Rinkoff’s bakery and The Whitechapel Gallery, which has a summer pop-up with Alba. The Young V&A Museum is a short walk way, as is York Hall leisure centre and the independent Genesis Cinema is at the end of the street. Bethnal Green is home to institutions like E Pellicci and The Approach Tavern, joined by a broad wave of bars and restaurants, including Brawn and Campania.

Regents’ Canal, Columbia Road Flower Market, Brick Lane and Shoreditch are all within walking distance. Many of east London’s finest parks, including Mile End Park, Bethnal Green Gardens, Weaver’s Fields, Victoria Park, and the historic churchyard of St Dunstans. Stepney Green City Farm is also close by.

Stepney Green station is a five-minute walk from the apartment and runs District and Hammersmith and City lines. Alternatively, Bethnal Green Underground and Overground stations are a nine and 11-minute walk away respectively. The Elizabeth line runs direct services from Whitechapel to central London in 10 minutes and to Heathrow Airport in 30 minutes.

Tenure: Share of Freehold / Lease Length: Approx. 98 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £800 per annum (for building insurance) / Ground Rent: n/a / Council Tax Band: C