201 Collingwood Street, Nelson, Nelson

Artist's cottage magic - walk to town

If ever a place could stir a romantic heart, this is it; a 1910 Collingwood Street home, private and serene amidst fragrant English cottage gardens, with picket fence and clematis - draped frontage and within a pleasant stroll of town.
It's difficult not to be smitten by this century-old beauty with its gracious front rooms, bay window and high ceilings. Snug rear living opens to a sunny patio amid greenery and seasonal colour and a paved path among roses, shrubs and perennials leads to random areas to sit and soak up scents and scenery.
This top end of Collingwood Street is prized property, and Number 201 enjoys a premium position, elevated above the road, embraced privately by its magical gardens front and rear with St Joseph's school grounds as its neighbour to north and east. It's quiet and peaceful with lovely views.
Sunshine bathes the 506m section, a perfect city-fringe size for professional couples, singles or small families or those downsizing. For anyone who prefers to leave the car in the garage and walk to town for coffee or evening drinks and dinner, this is so appealing.
There are three bedrooms two roomy doubles and a single; one of them an addition at the back, forming a separate wing containing a study with doors opening to the garden. The front, formal lounge has French doors opening to a covered patio and as well as the veranda, there's a spacious front deck to enjoy afternoon sun.
The old house is rich in timbers; floorboards, skirting boards and doors, mostly original and still with back-to-back fireplaces with original mantlepieces.
There's a single garage, with remote-opening door and a garden shed at the back.
There's plenty of scope to make your own mark. The palette is here to work with.
Whatever you do, there's the allure of the location; walks to town, either down Collingwood Street or beside the river. Fairfield Park and Melrose House are at the top of the street and Grampian Walks or mountain bike trails are close.