Canonbury Lane II, London N1

A quietly unique presence on Canonbury Lane, north London, this handsome four-storey, four-bedroom house was designed by Christopher Libby in the late 1980s. Its cohesive interiors are defined by light, space and a sense of playfulness. There is a private courtyard garden just beyond the kitchen and dining area, along with off-street parking in front. Minutes from Highbury and Islington station, the house also lies close to Upper Street and several beautiful pockets of greenery, including Highbury Fields and the New River Walk.



The Tour



The house is designed to integrate with, but stand slightly apart from, its more traditional Victorian neighbours. Its two-toned façade, formed of stock brick and stucco, is more traditional, while a mix of sarcophagi-like topped tall arched and circular windows, orbs and round detailing is decidedly postmodern. The house sits behind a wide green metal gate with a circular design - a nod to the building's sculptural form.



A small courtyard lies in front of the blue-painted front door. This opens into a wide hallway, where an arched window draws in brightness, and engineered oak herringbone parquet with underfloor heating begins.



Across the house, carefully positioned openings and uninterrupted sightlines create a strong sense of cohesion. More recent additions by architect Paolo Cossu on the ground floor establish a constant visual connection to the garden, grounding the home in its surroundings. Throughout, walls are finished with colours by Farrow and Ball and vivacious wallpapers from Cole and Son.



The spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living room lies on this level. It was designed by Paola Cossu in a galley style, with a marble-wrapped island forming a stunning centrepiece at one end of the room. Most appliances are integrated and from Miele. Cleverly conceived mirrored sliding cupboards bounce light around the room and create expansive storage space, as well as a designated utility area. Added with entertaining in mind, sliding glass doors next to the dining area open to the garden, extending the living space outside in warmer months. An informal sitting area rests beneath a window, towards the opposite end of the room.



There is also a cheerful panelled cloakroom on the ground floor, with a WC and a hand basin finished with ‘Frutto Proibito’ wallpaper by Fornasetti for Cole & Son.



Stairs from the hallway lead up to the first floor, where a generous living room lies; with three sash windows on two sides, it is beautifully lit. Engineered oak [?] flooring paves underfoot, and tall column radiators have been added. Steps at the westerly end of the room lead up to a magnificent study area, where two windows - one double-height, one a porthole - capture views of Canonbury Lane.



The house has four bedrooms. The room on the first floor has an en suite shower room, while the two bedrooms on the second floor share a smart bathroom.



Crowning the house, the peaceful principal suite occupies the entirety of the uppermost floor. Its generous proportions are amplified by a fanlight window with additional light from another sash. Set in the eaves, it has bespoke storage on two sides and a large en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower.



Outdoor Space



The garden can be entered via sliding doors from the main house, or via green gates that open out onto Compton Avenue. Behind a high wall, the garden is wonderfully private, and has plenty of space for hosting and/or relaxing. Currently designed to require minimum maintenance, there is also space for an ambitious planting scheme alongside two built-in storage areas.



Next to the garden area is a driveway, with space to park one car and a handy EV charging point.



Area Guide



Canonbury Lane is next to Canonbury Square, a peaceful, exceptionally lovely area close to the brilliant bustle of Islington's Upper Street. The lane is home to local favourite Montes, a wonderful Italian delicatessen.



Upper Street is home to a wealth of retail, culinary and design amenities, including Ottolenghi, Gail’s, Le Creuset, Space NK and twentytwentyone, as well as a host of national and independent retailers and restaurants. Neighbourhood pubs include The Pocket and perennially popular pub the Compton Arms, with its rotation of kitchen residents.



Moments from the apartment is the New River Walk, a tranquil man-made waterway with mature trees with plenty of benches to sit and read. Nearby, Highbury Fields has large areas of open green space, as well as tennis courts, a playground and a swimming pool. For entertainment, neighbouring Union Chapel is a thriving community hub and a working church with a full roster of comedy and music events.



There are several excellent schooling options in the area, including Canonbury Primary School, William Tyndale, City of London Academy and the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School. Independent options include Northbridge House.



Canonbury Lane is well placed for transport. Highbury and Islington, a short walk north, serves the Victoria, Mildmay and Windrush lines, along with Great Northern’s Northern City line.



Council Tax Band: G