When it comes to interiors, sometimes simple is supreme. Picture fuss-free walls, minimal decoration and a palette of mellow neutrals – or just look to this apartment, which came on the market this week, for proof. It’s one of three homes housed within a Victorian townhouse in Finsbury Park, north London, that have been meticulously created by William Paul Architecture. Taking cues from the building’s beautiful proportions, the practice – who collaborated with interior stylist Victoria Todd on the project – employed a stripped-back scheme that not only looks good but lets volume and light take centre stage.

Queen’s Road, the address of the apartment in question, is a particularly enviable north London location. It’s within walking distance to both Finsbury Park underground, from which the Victoria line will zip you to the capital’s heart in a hot minute, and Stoke Newington Church Street, a quaint strip of independent shops, restaurants and cafes favoured by locals. It’s no wonder William Paul Architecture sought the chance to transform one of its beautiful period buildings into contemporary living spaces. The one we’re touring today lies on the ground floor and has three bedrooms (any of which could easily be converted into a study), an open-plan living and kitchen area and a large lush garden.

With pale, engineered-oak floorboards, a slick kitchen and gentle tones that run throughout, creating a calming sense of cohesion, the interiors could easily belong to a new build – in the very best way. But it’s the glass ceiling above the living area that really brings this place up to date. Natural light pours in beautifully – particularly on a sunny day: thanks to the oak beams that support the glass, a series of striped shadows fall across the walls and floor, bringing an exquisite graphic punch to an otherwise muted backdrop. The sliding glazed doors, which stretch from floor to ceiling, and wall to wall, provide ample light too, as well as wonderful views of the garden.

Speaking of which, the outdoor space gets plenty of magical light too. Step outside on a bright day and you’ll find dappled light that dancing across the concrete patio. It’s a wonderfully uplifting spot; a pretty pocket of peace in a corner of London known for its buzzing culinary scene, bustling parks and traditional boozers. The current set up, featuring Toogood chairs that look as good here as they do in the main living space, is one we greatly admire: curling up here with a book and a coffee on a quiet morning, or with a tipple at the end of a working day, is something we very much like the sound of.