Domain - The Age, July 13-14

13 14 JULY 2018

Beauty in the detail A stairway to heaven

You W i sh

O p en Home

Neig hb ou rho o d s

INNER-CITY LUXE

FOREVER IN FASHION

SEDDON VIBE

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Achieve the price you want “We notice a considerable increase in the number of people who attend an open home when it is advertised in print.

It is a numbers game. The more people that see a property the greater chance you have at achieving the price you want.� – Simon Gowling, Greg Hocking

Talk to your agent about reaching buyers with Domain magazine and digital packages.

What I love This elegant terrace could be in Tuscany, where soft light plays off breezy curtains. Just add a glass of chianti – and a signature on the sale contract for this romantic Vaucluse home, in Sydney, listed

by JT Allen. The sixbedroom beauty exudes privacy and class, finished with a finelydetailed, Europeanstyle outdoor space.

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INDEX

Note from the editor

W

hen flipping through the pages of Domain magazine, and our digital listings, no doubt there are times when a property jumps out at you, appearing more perfect than the rest. Maybe you have felt that same urge in the thick of an auction – it’ll be a twitch in your bidding finger, as the desire to buy bubbles up like the champagne you’ll be popping when the ink on the sale contract has dried. Buying a home is an emotional pursuit, hand-in-hand with being a financial decision; and it’s often least stressful when head and heart are in sync. But sometimes, the heart wins. That can bring about the challenge of selling after buying, and journalist Peter Barrett explores the ins and outs of this approach in this week’s feature story.

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You Wish

p4

What to see this Weekend

p5

Best on Show

p6

Open Home

p7

Advice

p8

Neighbourhoods

p9

When you find your perfect property in Domain magazine, scan the Domain app code to instantly learn more about the listing.

View price

WHAT TO SEE THIS WEEKEN D

LAST WEEKEND

Coast & Country

p15

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This near-new riverside pad – sized between an apartment and a townhouse – has urban chic against a leafy backdrop. Positioned in the south-east corner of the Acacia

Clearance rate

61%

Source: Domain Group

complex, it wins bonus natural light

NEW LIVING

guides, floor

C o m p i l e d b y JACQ UI HAM M E R TO N

plans, beautiful images and see the property

Scan the code in the

address.

13 14 JULY 2018

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PRESS REFRESH

Interiors spring to life

PORT MELBOURNE 2

images and price guide

1 Scan the code in the Domain app to see property location, images and price guide

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kitchen. Journey through rear sliding glass doors to find covered and open split-level decking in the neat west-

Da r r en Pa l mer

Luc y Fe a g i n s

In nov at ion

TURN UP THE HEAT

COOL CITY DIGS

COUNTRY PRACTICE

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Kay & Burton, Rebecca Auction: 12.30pm, June 9

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Marshall White, Justin Holod 0411 669 161

bathrooms line up along the right side, opposite two oversized living rooms on timber floors flanking an updated

$4 million ST KILDA

28 Eildon Road WOW FACTOR

Stunning

Spanish Mission home, close to trendy Fitzroy

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Street cafes. Sold by Marshall White.

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FLIP OVER FOR NEW LIVING Cover story

p4

Modern Homes

p6

Style with Darren Palmer

p8

Decor & Design

p10

The Design Files

p13

Innovation

p15

Try it out this weekend.

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OUR COVER Grandeur in Brunswick West, listed by Nelson Alexander p5

Editor Emily Power | Deputy editor Jessica Dale | Editorial assistant Hailey Coules | National managing editor Alice Stolz | Senior designer Colleen Chin Quan | Graphic designer Emma Staughton Group picture editor Kylie Thomson | Chief marketing & editorial officer Melina Cruickshank | Residential sales Matthew Maasdijk 0417 307 710 | New development sales Monty Hanger 0402 124 660 Domain is published in The Age and The Australian Financial Review Review, 655 Collins Street, Docklands, 3008, or visit domain.com.au | Contact editorial@domain.com.au

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YO U W I S H

B y CARO LIN E JAM E S & JACQ UI HAM M E R TO N

EAST MELBOURNE 2

2

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It is not hyperbole to suggest this lofty abode occupies the epicentre of luxurious innercity living.

Located on the salubrious edge of Melbourne’s CBD, it offers eagle-eye views of Fitzroy Gardens and east to the Dandenong Ranges. The high-end apartment is found in the Mercy Hospital residential tower conversion, which gives occupants access to a 24-hour concierge, pool, spa, gym, cinema and exclusive residents’ function rooms.

Dual Miele ovens, and marble and stainless steel kitchen benches, are oriented to double-glazed window views, as is the

ELWOOD

CANTERBURY

gargantuan living and dining zone. The main bedroom

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2

2

5

4

2

boasts a marble en suite with freestanding bath, a

Smart design for a young

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This hotly sought-after 1920s

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dedicated dressing area and

family was top of mind for

app to see property location,

property has been renovated

app to see property location,

further doors to the terrace.

the 2008 upgrade of this

images and price guide

for a modern family. Three

images and price guide

Expressions of interest:

1920s house. Highlights

close July 27

include lap pool and spa,

Auction: noon, July 28

period sitting room and the

Private sale

Agent: Colliers, Kim

hydronic heating and

Agent: Chisholm & Gamon,

downstairs main bedroom

Agent: Kay & Burton,

McQueen 0417 116 657

motorised windows.

Sam Gamon 0425 702 574

suite are standouts.

Tim Picken 0419 305 802

enormous living areas, a

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WHAT TO SEE THIS WEEKEN D 14

S AT U R DAY

C o m p i l e d b y JACQ UI HAM M E R TO N

15

S U N DAY

NEWPORT 3

2

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LAST WEEKEND

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This postwar, clinker-brick house has a prime spot, a few doors from Newport Lakes Reserve’s 33 hectares of bushland, close to shops and the station. Three bedrooms and two fully-tiled bathrooms with underfloor heating are followed by a living area and swish kitchen. A covered, heated

Clearance rate

56

%

Source: Domain Group

What the agent says

deck with outdoor kitchen and built-in barbecue is included.

Auction: 11.30am, July 21 Agent: RT Edgar, Joanne Royston 0402 996 622

Warwick Gardiner

Greg Hocking Holdsworth

A common mistake when presenting a house for sale is

SOUTH YARRA

ignoring your agent’s professional advice.

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1

1

There is only one chance to get it right.

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BRUNSWICK WEST

Restrained, classic and adaptable is how the agent describes this well-

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Highest sale

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images and price guide

priced three-bedder, in the top corner of the aspirational Domain precinct.

The high ceilings and grandeur of

and a study/bedroom with bay

The living area of the ground-floor flat

Victorian-era architecture is

window. The upper floor has a retreat

opens to a wide security porch and a

reproduced in this double-brick,

and four bedrooms. Featuring

walled courtyard, which is secluded

freestanding, balconied terrace

brushbox floors, a double garage, a

but not on title. Well-maintained, the

house, on bluestone foundations and

bathroom on each level and balconies

apartment’s simplicity reflects the

746 square metres of land. The

above both front and back verandahs.

style of the circa-1968 building.

1990s-built Kyreea is in a locale noted

Auction: 1pm, July 21

Auction: 10.30am, July 21

for family appeal and single dwellings

Agent: Nelson Alexander, Jonathan

Agent: Marshall White, Mark Harris

on large blocks. At ground level, it has

West 0418 315 490

0414 799 343

multiple living rooms, a timber kitchen

$2.74 million MALVERN

124 Stanhope Street WOW FACTOR

This classic

Victorian-style facade unfolds to a large, light-

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filled family home. Sold

by RT Edgar.

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F E AT U R E H O M E B y PE TE R BARRE T T

KENSINGTON 5

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2 Scan the code in the Domain app to see property location, images and price guide

Records show that only two fivebedroom houses in Kensington have changed hands since this 289-square-metre property sold almost two years ago. You wouldn’t recognise it, though, as the vendors have taken it from nightmare shabby to dreamy chic. They restored its pretty block-fronted facade, rebuilt the guts into a high-spec, contemporary two-storey home and turned a separate backyard residence into a handy en-suited studio. “It’s a stone’s throw from cafes that have come along in leaps and bounds in that time,” the agent says.

Auction: 12.30pm, July 21 Agent: Jellis Craig, Jerome Feery 0424 163 803

Buying-first strategy needs a Plan B

I

t goes against everything your risk-averse inner voice is telling you, but buying a new home before you sell your existing one has its advantages. You might be a growing family looking for more space but keen to keep moving down to a minimum. Or you might want to renovate your new pad and avoid having to rent somewhere until it’s finished. And in a “hot” market, it can make sense to secure your new house before prices rise even further.

However, there are plenty of dangers, too. Angus Graham, a director at Hodges Sandringham, says that despite banks making positive changes to bridging finance, buying first still tends to be regarded as riskier. “If you sell first, you know what you’ve got. It’s old-school thinking ... but the real benefit of that is even if agents are telling you you’re going to get $2.5 million,

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imagine if you got $3 million? It changes what you can look at to buy.”

By the same token, if your existing property falls flat on auction day and you get less than you were expecting, at least you haven’t committed to something too expensive.

Wealth Partners director and certified financial planner Andrew Heaven says buying first can make sense in markets where demand for property is outstripping supply, such

as tree-changers moving from hot metropolitan markets to slower market regional areas or people whose existing homes are highly desirable. “Reasons not to do it [include when] supply of property is outstripping demand, a market is falling, clearance rates are falling or ‘time-on-market’ is rising.”

The other indicator is the average discount on list price versus sale price: a growing discount means a flattening or falling market, so buyfirst-buyer beware, Heaven says.

Buying first successfully is all about cash flow, he says. A delayed or lengthy settlement can help, as will bridging finance, but you’ll need approval from a provider.

“Some of the other things that might be attractive to the vendor ... is you might offer to settle but lease back the property, so they don’t feel rushed to get out, and you’ve got temporary rent coming in.”

Heaven’s best advice? Make sure your property is always ready for market and that you have a realistic understanding of what it is worth, and that you know your borrowing capacity. It pays to have a Plan B in case there’s a hiccup with your sale.

For mortgage broker Tim Gasper, of Hatch Financial Services, knowing what your property is worth is the key. He had a client who upsized by negotiating $500,000 less than the $3.5 million auction asking price on a property. The client was looking at only a dozen streets, and had estimated their existing home to be worth $1.7 million.

“But even if they sell it for $1.6 million we can still get them the loan that they need in order to complete the purchase. Ideally, they’re not going to need all that loan but we know that the numbers work.”

OPEN HOME

In t e r v i e w b y S TE PH E N L ACE Y Ph o t o b y DANIE L P O CKE T T

“We just didn’t expect that from the humblest of homes. It was a shanty.

Never judge a book by its cover.”

With

A couple of members of the band

What made you choose real estate?

M A R E K O L E C H from Nelson Alexander, Fitzroy

came in on the Thursday night and

It was unplanned, which is like much

said, ‘‘David is gonna love this store’’.

of my life. I had moved from Sydney

I came to work a few days later and

to Melbourne in 2001 and got in touch

looked in the mirror, and there he was

with a friend who was a real estate

in the reflection behind me. It was

agent. I asked for his assistance in

great. He was a very nice man. I got

finding some rental accommodation.

his autograph. He bought a raw silk

One thing led to another, and he said

beige double-breasted suit and a

we should work together.

T

here’s little doubt, Marek Olech, of Nelson Alexander, is Victoria’s – if not Australia’s – most intriguingly ntriguingly dressed real estate agent. He’s certainly the most flamboyant and is usually found in a cravat and a fedora, and sporting a well-tamed beard. A lover of fashion, as well as contemporary design and music, Marek has worked as a model, DJ, and clothing retailer, where he once sold a suit to David Bowie. He has been in real estate for the past 17 years, and lives in Windsor with his partner and his cats, Myf and KitKa.

really loud Hawaiian shirt.

First home you sold?

How is the way you dress perceived

A two-bedroom apartment in George

by potential clients?

Street, Fitzroy, to a lovely first home

I would much prefer to work with

buyer. It sold for $420,000.

people who appreciate my style Where did you get your interest in

six foot (1.82m), so not really tall

and approach. And dare I say, whilst

Tell us about the time a property

clothes?

enough for catwalk work. I was also

flamboyant, I’m extremely

listing surprised you?

My father was a very dapper Polish

a model in my 20s before I went into

professional and good at what I do.

Selling a very humble home in

man – an elegant dresser – and it was

other fields of work, which included

I’ve stopped the room a couple of

Collingwood, and the vendors being

he who inspired me when I was a boy.

being a DJ on a cruise liner in the

times when we have our sales

so delighted with the outcome. As we

I loved looking at his suits and hats.

Caribbean.

meetings, especially when I wore my

were leaving, my colleague and I were

pink jacket with plaid trousers and

both given a brown paper bag with a

You once met your idol, David

a cravat. I have recently taken to

bottle in it. We got to the car and had

I still have many of his ties and cravats; some I even wear today.

Bowie?

wearing hats. My collection of

a look, and inside each bag was a

Tell us about the modelling work.

Yes, I worked at Gary Wolfs, which

fedoras, homburgs, Stetsons and

bottle of Penfolds Grange Hermitage.

I was invited to join a modelling

was an upmarket menswear store in

caps has grown significantly. I even

We just didn’t expect that from the

agency called Silverfox. I love

Paddington in the 1980s. It was during

have a hat manufacturer who saw my

humblest of homes. It was a shanty.

modelling, [doing] film and TV

Bowie’s Serious Moonlight Tour.

Instagram page and sends me hats

Never judge a book by its cover.

advertising. Unfortunately, I am just

from Prague.

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A DV I C E

B y DANIE L B UTKOVICH

For greater returns, less can be more

S

tories of savvy investors acquiring numerous properties and generating a passive income are enough to inspire homeowners to look for ways to put their equity to work by building an investment portfolio.

After all, investing in real estate is how many of Australia’s wealthiest people have made their fortunes.

But it’s not just a matter of buying as many properties as possible.

And when it comes to real estate investment, less rather than more may be a wiser approach.

Leveraging equity to build wealth As a property increases in value and the owner pays off more of their loan, the difference between the value and the loan increases.

Homeowners can access this equity by refinancing, increasing the size of their loan and using the funds they have freed up as a deposit on an investment property.

Ideally, rent from the investment property covers the bulk of loan repayments and the new property continues to grow in value, allowing the investor to employ this strategy again further down the line.

“Building equity in a property is key,” Wakelin Property Advisory directory Jarrod McCabe says.

“A capital growth strategy is a great way to build a portfolio because it continues to grow equity for you.”

“When you are focusing on bluechip assets, the rental return is going to be less, so there’s going to be a bigger difference between rent and repayments.”

How to make a strong start The first investment property forms the cornerstone of a strong portfolio, according to Mayfield Property Buyers director John Carew.

“The biggest risk in property investment is asset selection,” he says. “If you buy the wrong asset, the costs of unwinding it are really high.”

“If you buy the wrong asset, the costs of unwinding it are really high.” - MAYFIELD PROPERTY BUYERS DIRECTOR JOHN CAREW Investors targeting growth properties need to ensure any shortfall in repayments can still be met, especially when household expenses or interest rates rise.

“Typically what we find is properties have strong capital growth or a strong rental yield, but they won’t do both,” McCabe says.

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Regional areas may offer high rental yields and low prices but longterm growth can be subdued if an area lacks the economic drivers underpinning capital cities, such as a wider range of employment drivers, higher household income and greater infrastructure development.

“Everyone wants cash flow, but what really generates wealth in property over the longer term is

capital growth,” Carew says. “For most investors it’s a better way to go rather than focusing on a high yield.”

Investors already holding a lacklustre investment property shouldn’t hesitate to sell if it has proven to be a long-term underperformer. “People get that first one or two wrong and then they’re stuck,” Carew says.

“You’re probably better to liquefy that position and then move into a better asset.”

Quality over quantity There isn’t a magic number for how many properties an investor should aim to have in their portfolio.

But according to buyers’ agent and Empower Wealth partner Bryce Holdaway, investors can use what he calls ‘‘the rule of 25’’ to determine the value of income-producing assets outside of the family home required to reach their passive income goal.

“The rule of 25 is a very simple way that you can work out how much you need to retire on,” he says, explaining that the rule assumes incomegenerating assets provide a 4 per cent annual return.

“Begin with the end in mind.

Let’s say you want $2000 a week passive income to retire on.

Roughly, $100,000 per year multiplied by 25 equals $2.5 million.

“It’s actually not how many properties you own but the value of those properties.”

The prospect of owning a lot of affordable properties may sound appealing, but an investor has more to gain by owning one solid performer rather than several duds.

“Some people confuse activity with accomplishment,” Holdaway says.

“All things being equal, I would say less is better.”

A portfolio of fewer, high-quality properties delivering strong capital growth may not deliver the shortterm cash flow or even the supposed satisfaction of owning a lot of high yielding assets.

But the key to building wealth in real estate is focusing on the long term, and a growth strategy will prove its worth later in life when a strong portfolio delivering a passive income matters most.

Daniel Butkovich is Domain’s National Advice Editor.

Understand the property market like a pro: domain.com.au/advice

NEIGHBOURHOODS / S E DD ON B y L ARIS SA D U B ECKI

Clearance rate

45% Median price houses

$942,500 Median price units

$425,000 Top sales 1. 36 Gamon Street $1.49 million 2. 42 Greig Street $1.476 million 3. 8 Bayview Road $1.418 million 4. 23 Seddon Street $1.395 million

GREG BRIGGS

5. 42 Bayview Road $1.3 million

Use the Domain app codes to see more

S

outh of Footscray and north of Yarraville, Seddon is the meat in the west’s hipster sandwich.

Slower to the gentrification uptake than its immediate neighbours but catching on fast, it’s where cafes, bars and restaurants are mushrooming overnight, cultivating a Fitzroy-nearthe-Maribyrnong vibe.

Seddon’s status as a bastion of the working class remained unimpeachable in the years following World War II, when new waves of European then Asian migrants took

to its mostly single-storey Victorian cottages and Edwardian weatherboard houses on tight blocks.

But those credentials are under threat thanks to a new wave of young professionals priced out of other areas, and keen to plant their flag only six kilometres from the city centre. Blame them for driving the average house price up by 47.27 per cent over the past five years, to just shy of $1 million. Originally known as Belgravia until an early 20thcentury name change in honour of a

former New Zealand prime minister, who took up residence within its borders, Seddon remains something of a hidden secret.

A quiet residential area as opposed to the clamour of Footscray’s Barkly Street and tributaries, and immune to the arguments about trucks that plague Yarraville, amenity for its booming tribe of young residents comes in the form of pocket parks, rather than broad swathes of green.

Seddon’s own village is compact and charming, with new-style cafes

with clever names (Common Galaxia, named after a fish found in the Maribyrnong; Seddon Deadly Sins, boom-tish) mixing it with old-style vintage ware shops, while the arrival of chef Ashley Davis’ Copper Pot several years ago heralded the area’s entry into destination dining.

And as a destination, it’s easy.

Seddon is serviced by its own train station on the Werribee and Williamstown line and eyeballs Middle Footscray station on the Sunbury line.

TOP TWO / SEDDON Scan the code in the

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property location,

property location,

images and price guide

images and price guide

A classic terrace with lots of potential,

This spacious, modern house – one of

this single-fronted home has period

a pair – greets arrivals with a striking

features and rear courtyard – in a

foyer, and spacious open-plan living

premier Seddon pocket – with split-

and dining opening onto a landscaped

system heating and cooling, and an

courtyard. A first-floor balcony has

updated kitchen and bathroom.

city skyline views.

Private sale

Auction: 1pm, August 11

Agent: Hocking Stuart,

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Brooke McFarlane 0405 802 606

Agent: Sweeney, Tracey Dean

2

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0433 279 103

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OPEN THIS WE E KE N D 14

S AT U R DAY

Address

Beds

Sat Sun Price $000s

Agent

AUCTIONS Houses and Apartments *

17/3 Seisman Pl*

3BR

12.00

1.4M-1.54M

Biggin & Scott

3 Fairchild St

4BR

1.00

1.35M - 1.485M

Biggin & Scott

ASHWOOD 4BR

2.00

POA

Tim Dwyer

CARNEGIE 3BR

1.30

Rounds RE

13 Alfred Rd

4BR

2.30

1.4M-1.525M Nelson Alexander

27 Nicholson St

4BR

12.00

1.6M-1.7M Nelson Alexander

28a Wright St

2BR

10.00

650-690 Nelson Alexander

2a Kalimna St

4BR

1.30

2M-2.2M Nelson Alexander

2BR

11.00

3BR

1.00

POA

11.00

NPD

R T Edgar

3BR

2.00

1.4M-1.54M

Biggin & Scott

2BR

12.00

1.55M - 1.675M

Biggin & Scott

511/10 Burnley St*

2BR

11.00

540-590

Biggin & Scott

9/15 Sherwood St*

1BR

10.00

300-330

Biggin & Scott

9/71a Tanner St*

1BR

11.00

460-500

Biggin & Scott

9/87 Westbank Tc*

2BR

10.00

630-660

Biggin & Scott

3BR

11.00

POA

Fletchers

2BR

11.00

POA

Biggin & Scott

RINGWOOD SOUTH YARRA 8/20 Cromwell Rd*

WEEKEND OPEN FOR INSPECTIONS Houses and Apartments *

Tim Dwyer

KEILOR EAST

BALWYN NORTH 590-630 Nelson Alexander

KILSYTH

1A Page St

4BR

12.00

2BR

12.45

POA

Fletchers

FITZROY

24 Cherylnne Cr

4BR

11.00

POA

Fletchers

MIDDLE PARK 2/41 Park Rd

1BR

90 Chapman St

12.00

POA

Cayzer

2BR

11.00

850-900 Nelson Alexander

3BR

2.00

1M-1.1M Nelson Alexander

11.00

1.08M-1.18M Nelson Alexander

PASCOE VALE 161a Essex St*

3BR

15 Princess Street

6BR

3.00

POA

Jellis Craig

5BR

12.30

POA

Marshall White

3BR

11.00

POA

Marshall White

2BR

1.00

NPD

Kay & Burton

SOUTH YARRA TOORAK 55 Washington St

Stay ahead.

Save your search.

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1.2M-1.3M Nelson Alexander

8 Rossfield Av

1/60 Clowes St*

PASCOE VALE SOUTH 1 Kathleen St

403/416 Gore St*

KEW

NORTH MELBOURNE

10

2BR

39 Richmond Tc

GLEN IRIS

2/86 Rosehill Rd*

Agent

101 Crown St*

5 Towerhill Dr

ESSENDON

2.02 1565 Malvern Rd*

Sat Sun Price $000s

RICHMOND

2 Turner St

8 Graceburn Av

Beds

PORT MELBOURNE

ABBOTSFORD

95 Huntingdale Rd

Address

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*Denotes unit / townhouse / apartments

Enjoy spacious apartment living at 1/60 Clowes Street, South Yarra, listed by Marshall White.

ALBERT PARK – BALWYN NORTH

HOLDSWORTH

18 Page Street, Albert Park An outstanding three bedroom domain comprising exceptional proportions, this Victorian residence has been updated with the highest attention to detail, achieving the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic design. The abode is defined by a contemporary style yet maintains desirable traditional details and boasts glorious open plan living, modern kitchen with Bosch and Miele appliances, spacious bedrooms and a private balcony with CBD views.

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Auction Saturday 21st July at 1.30pm Inspect Sat 11-11.30pm Sun 11.30-12pm Contact Shane Siemers 0418 501 941 Simon Gowling 0422 234 644

Albert Park 8644 5500

65 Moubray Street, Albert Park This Victorian c1882 three or four bedroom residence presents spacious single level proportions with period elegance and contemporary efficiency. Comprising an open plan family living area, modern entertainer´s kitchen with gourmet appliances connecting to an undercover verandah and picturesque courtyard garden. Additional entertaining spaces include a formal dining and separate sitting room, two impeccable bathrooms, laundry, bluestone foundations and tandem undercover car parking.

4

2

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Auction Saturday 4th August at 12.30pm Inspect Sat 11.30-12pm Sun 10.45-11.15pm Contact John Holdsworth 0417 318 271 Kaye Vipond 0408 531 399

greghocking.com.au

76 Sutherland Road, Armadale

marshallwhite.com.au

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EAST MELBOURNE – HAWTHORN

601/150 CLARENDON STREET, EAST MELBOURNE

Map out your search

Magnificent apartment with the finest lifestyle facilities and views can be yours at 150 Clarendon, opposite Fitzroy Gardens. Superb quality, vast living zone, 2 bedrooms and large study/3rd bedroom, marble bathrooms, Miele kitchen and luxe fit out. Residents’ pool, gym, function rooms, 24-hour concierge, 2-car parking.

FOR SALE Expressions of Interest closing 3pm July 27 2018 (if not sold prior)

Install the Domain app.

Inspections by appointment only.

Kim McQueen 0417 116 657 Head Prestige Residential residential.colliers.com.au/1000167322

8 Rossfield Avenue, Kew

marshallwhite.com.au DOM A IN

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MALVERN – TOORAK

1 6 - 1 8 S P R I N G R O A D , M A LV E R N

“These large-scale residences reflect the grace and grandeur of traditional homes found on the treelined streets of Malvern for generations.”

A COLLECTION OF 13 LUXURY RESIDENCES IN A QUIET RESIDENTIAL STREET NOW SELLING

2 Bed, 2 bath, 2 car from $1,195,000 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car from $1,790,000

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , C A L L S TE P H E N 0418 766 997

S P R I N G R O A D , M A LV E R N B O TA N I C A L M A LV E R N . C O M . A U

Newport

278 Melbourne Road STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

• Completely rare for the area, this is a superior example of architect-designed English style Tudor home, providing six principle rooms and a generous allotment of land, approximately 543sqm, with gorgeous outdoor entertaining and access for multiple vehicles

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AUCTION Saturday 28 July at 11.30 MELWAYS 56 A5 INSPECT Saturday 14 July 12.45 - 1.15

Sunday 15 July 2.00 - 2.30

ENQUIRY $1.3m - $1.4m CONTACT Lauren Wood 0411 648 509

laurenw@williamsre.com.au

75 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | 9397 2000 | www.williamsre.com.au

1/60 Clowes Street, South Yarra

55 Washington Street Toorak

2 AUCTION VIEWING

CONTACT

marshallwhite.com.au 14

DOM A IN

kayburton.com.au

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C OA S T

&

C O U N T RY

B y K ATH E RIN E TOWNSE N D

APOLLO BAY 1

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Use the Domain app to see property location, images and price guide

In a busy, crowded world there can be little more luxurious – and soulsoothing – than a onebedroom house on almost 15 hectares overlooking the sea.

And, with charming Apollo Bay as the nearby town, this retreat, surrounded by bush,

DROMANA

FAIRHAVEN

is a delight. A large openplan living room with a wood

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heater overlooks the sea and the new owners will be able

This near-new house is

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Broad vistas of breaking surf

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to read, write, doze, relax or

luxurious enough for

app to see property location,

should be enough to tempt a

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create here. The bedroom

permanent living but it also

images and price guide

sea-change buyer to this

images and price guide

and bathroom are similarly

has a relaxed holiday-house

delightful – with the en suite

feel and is only 300 metres

backyard. Upstairs, there is a

the warm-and-inviting

Fairhaven Beach. A deck and

opening on three sides to the

from Dromana’s bay beach.

rumpus room and three

flourishes only add to the

balcony emphasise its

bush-and-water views.

A relaxed lifestyle beckons.

bedrooms - the main with an

views. Hamptons interior

wondrous position.

Private sale

The lower level is devoted to

en suite.

design is on show

Auction: 1pm, July 14

Agent: Great Ocean

an open-plan kitchen, living

Private sale

throughout, with a

Agent: Great Ocean

Properties, David Ellis

and dining room and it opens

Agent: YPA Estate Agents,

centrepiece kitchen. The

Properties, Marty Maher

0409 544 778

to a terrace and grassed

Elke Remscheid 0423 211 315

home has private access to

0419 505 729

elegant coastal retreat, but

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COAST & COUNTRY

‘WATER AUCTION’ Elders Rural Deniliquin, NSW

‘BROOKLYN FRUITS’ Gladysdale, Victoria | 30.25* HA / 75* AC Profitable horticultural asset boasting envied productivity

Current parcels of permanent water to be offered include: 34ML Murray Zone 11 General Security River Entitlements 245 MIL Water Entitlements 100 MIL Water Entitlements 650 MIL Water Entitlements 1000ML Murrumbidgee General Security River Entitlements 2x100ML Lower Murray Ground Water Entitlements 200ML Lower Murray Ground Water Entitlements

525 Tarrango Road, Gladysdale, Victoria • 2 comfortable brick residences • Extensive farm improvements including packing shed (2,093*m2) with eight controlled atmosphere rooms, machinery shed and other ancillary shedding • 18* hectares of orchard offering various apple varieties including Pink Lady, Granny Smith and Royal Gala, in addition to Beurre Bosc pears • Orchard systems include V trellis, Vertical Axis and free standing configurations, covered with high quality fixed netting (new) • 3 storage dams (70* ML capacity) • Additional income source from NBN co • Ideally located 6*km Yarra Junction, 34* km Lilydale and 74* km Melbourne

Current parcels of temporary water to be offered include: • 1000ML Murray Zone 10 Allocation; offered as a whole or in minimum lot sizes of 200ML • 200ML Lower Murray Ground Water Allocation; offered as a whole or in minimum lot sizes of 100ML • 800ML Lower Murray Ground Water Allocation; offered as a whole or in minimum lot sizes of 200ML Terms: Number system will operate, Photo ID required for registration, minimum 10% deposit applicable to all water sold on the day.

Agents Remarks: If you are interested in the purchasing or selling of permanent and temporary water, please contact Elders Rural Deniliquin to discuss the upcoming Deniliquin Water Auction.

Expression of Interest

Closing Thursday 9th August 2018, 4pm Venue Elders, 160 Queen Street, Melbourne Anthony Stevens 0417 822 356 Nick Myer 0427 610 278 Elders Melbourne eldersrealestate.com.au/19237354 *approx.

Auction

Date Thursday 19th July starting at 11am Venue Coach House Hotel Motel Matt Horne 0409 355 733 Elders Deniliquin 03 5890 5100 eldersrealestate.com.au

‘FAIRVIEW’ via Geelong, 88 Bourkes Road, Inverleigh, Cnr Young Road, VIC | 20 HA / 50 AC APPROX.

Outstanding Rural Lifestyle Investment 7 Titles, Magnificent Leigh River flats 20 mins Geelong Ring Road • Approx. 50 Acres (20 Ha) of prime positioned land, 7 titles, 2 road frontages plus 2 un-used government roads. Absolute frontage to Leigh River • 4 bedroom brick veneer home in garden setting, garaging, power connected • Hay shed, cattle yards and sundry buildings • Securely watered by 12.3 Megalitre pumping licence (irrigation stock and domestic) from Leigh River, dam and rain water storage ‘Fairview’ Highly productive country. Ideal cattle, sheep, horses and all forms of intensive agricultural pursuits.

Situated in a tightly held and capital appreciating region.

3 mins Inverleigh, 20 mins Ring Road, 25 mins Geelong (Bay and Beaches), 40 mins Avalon Airport, 70 mins Melbourne CBD and International Airport

Auction

Saturday 4th August 2018, 11am onsite Inspection: Strictly by appointment with Agent Ken Drysdale 0409 195 470 Elders Geelong 03 5225 5000 eldersrealestate.com.au/19248090

“New Dunrobin”

2069 Ellendale Road, Ouse – Southern Tasmania

SALES COMMISSION

Agent Name

· 511ha with approx. 435ha under 6 centre pivots · Milked up to 1,000 cows in a modern 60 stall rotary · 2,095ML high security irrigation water with minimal lift · Deep rich alluvial loams on the river flats · A true blue ribbon agricultural investment FOR SALE now at $6,700 per acre or by offers closing midday 24th August

Andrew Fisher 0407 805 624 Roberts Rural Real Estate, 49 Glenstone Road, Bridgewater TAS 7030 16

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VR4376147

Signature

RE124FR&AGE

• • • • • • •

COAST & COUNTRY

For Sale

By Expressions of Interest

Closing Wednesday 1 August at 2pm 1168 -1184 Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza

Invest in Greener Pastures

484–488 Napier Street, White Hills (Bendigo) Langley Hall is an historic Edwardian landmark built in 1903 for the first Anglican Bishop of Bendigo, Henry Langley. The mansion and its collective buildings comprise in excess of 1200 sqm and include a grand manor, picturesque chapel, and multiple sundrenched courtyards.

Expressions of Interest Close Wed 25th July at 5pm Sat by appointment & Inspect Wed 2.30pm–3pm 0411 502 424 John Castran 0475 000 888 Lachlan Castran

Total land area is 9044 sqm.

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castran.com.au

Land area 7.96 Hectares (19.7 Acres) approx Zoned Rural Green Wedge ‘3’ Prime corner position Opposite Bata Shoes and in close proximity to Bunnings Opposite established residential Nearby private schools Suit prestigious home site, horse stud, winery, restaurant, school etc (STCA)

5925 6005 nicholscrowder.com.au

PATON

Tom Crowder 0438 670 300 Geoffrey Crowder 0418 531 611 4/230 Main Street, Mornington VIC 3931

Auction 28 July @ 1pm BALNARRING 1 Hurley Street ‘Beautifully Refurbished & Set To Impress’ 4 bedroom family home on large 1494sqm block ready to move in to and enjoy. Close to Balnarring village and all amenities.

Open for inspection Saturday 1pm Michael Phoenix 0408 675 361

PATON Frankston-Flinders Road, Balnarring

(03) 5931 4333

Estate Agents

www.patonestate.com.au

FLINDERS 45-45B COOK STREET E ET

3A 2B 4C

This lifestyle property together with business is located in beautiful Flinders Village. On two titles and meticulously renovated to enable the new owner a variety of uses.

Private Sale

The prospect of utilizing this property for further development or continuing the existing use of chocolate manufacturing or incorporating a café, bar or restaurant.

(STCA) A. A)

Inspect

This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a property that holds many possibilities.

Domenic Zanellini 0404878879

Exquisite Village Living, Aw A ard-Winning Opportunity

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Brunswick 9387 0966

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NEW LIVING

13 14 JULY 2018

PRESS REFRESH

Interiors spring to life

Da r r en Pa l mer

Luc y Fe a g i n s

In nov at ion

TURN UP THE HEAT

COOL CITY DIGS

COUNTRY PRACTICE

Page 8

Page 13

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Residential architecture and construction integrated in a process that promotes creativity, flexibility and efficiency. — Telephone 8567 3800 informdesign.com.au

A collection of only 24 grand residences overlooking St James Park.

STJAMESPARK.COM.AU CALL 1300 110 165 Artist’s impression

Artist’s impression

NEW LIVING

C OV E R S T O RY B y MARY O ’ B RIE N

Decorating for a spring detox

T

he days are still short and spring is not yet in the air. But when it comes to decor and homewares, now is the time to plan a spring refresh. Just as you pack away winter woollies after the cold weather, your home needs a seasonal adjustment.

Spring is an opportunity to reenergise your decor and it’s fun to give your home a perk-up for the brighter months. Retailers are introducing their spring lines now.

The best approach is to check each room and list the ways to introduce light, colour and life.

The bedroom is where a spring clean and redecoration can have the most impact. “The best way to lighten the mood in the bedroom for spring is to declutter, tidy and organise the room to give it a sense of space,” Domayne general manager of bedding and manchester Fiona Tedesco says.

“Utilise baskets and storage to put little things away and out of sight, get a new chest of drawers if you have space, or change to a storage bed base with either drawers or gas-lift storage.

Bright homewares, from Domayne, change the seasonal feel of a room, above. Neutral furniture is a backdrop for spring’s softer tone cushions, from Domayne, opposite.

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Warm wood and

Rearrange your furniture. The bed might work better in a different spot as the light changes direction. Swap dark curtains for a lighter pattern for the next six months.

artwork enliven this house by Wendy Bergman, of Bergman and Co.

Living room

EUGENE HYLAND

Swap cosy for crisp

“The best way to lighten the mood ... is to de-clutter, tidy and organise the room to give it a sense of space.”

“Then it’s as simple as changing your bed linen to something lighter and more fresh.”

Tedesco says changing lamp shades and switching to brighter cushion covers will also add a lift.

Interior designer Wendy Bergman says colours, smells and textures vary greatly from season to season. “To be in harmony with the changes of the seasons, your interiors also need to reflect these elements,” she explains.

“Hibernation is over – it’s time to unwrap yourself from your woollen couch throw.

“Throw open the window and smell the jasmine in the air.”

One of the easiest ways to prepare your house for the warmer months is to add a touch of colour, advises Dulux colour planning manager Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Just lighten your space with a light and airy white,” Lucena-Orr says.

Take down heavy curtains, make sure your windows are sparklingly clear and pack away those comfy

throws. And why not introduce the new season by bringing home flowers or pot plants?

Bedroom Dream treatment

Changing the texture of sheets from heavy cotton (or flannel) to linen will feel cooler and cleaner, says Bergman. “Natural fibres breathe and lightly touch the body, allowing you to feel calm and comfortable as the temperature rises.”

As well as your winter and summer doona, have a different quilt set for the different seasons. Add some colourful cushions or invest in bright and cheery pillow covers.

The living room is the best opportunity to tie in your decor to the spring season. Lighten your fabrics, declutter and think about adding a new statement piece.

If it’s time to change your lounge or dining chairs then spring is a great time to liven up your living area with new furniture.

Pair complementary patterns and tones, Domayne general manager of furniture Amber Cooke says.

Cushions in dusty pink, soft greens and blues for the new season will add texture and personality to leather or upholstery lounges and dining chairs.

“Mix plain fabrics with prints including florals, stripes or tropical themes, or choose from a multitude of leather colours including pastels, white or soft silver greys,” she says.

Cooke recommends introducing plants in living zones, in keeping with the new life of the new season.

“Be inspired to create your own greenery paradise using palm trees, succulents, ferns or cactus in a selection of sizes,” she says.

Next is a cleanout, recommends Bergman. “Clutter may have felt cosy in winter but it’s just overbearing in spring. It makes you feel hot, so pare right back.”

Bergman favours a neutral palette and in the warmer months calm, soft and neutral hues definitely keep you feeling cooler and fresher. “Swap all your cosy, woollen and furry soft

DOMAYNE CUSHION PIC TO COME

furnishings for light linen that feels cool and crisp against the skin,” she says. Blooms are also an easy way to refresh the living area.

If a room is large, use multiple vases but don’t have competing scents, advises Cherrie Miriklis of Flowers Vasette.

This is also a good time to update rugs; what was warming and comforting in the colder months may now be too heavy.

“Rugs and runners come in various colours and sizes, circular or rectangular shapes,” Domayne’s Cooke says.

“Choose from timeless, soft neutral designs to bright geometric patterns to add a pop of colour to a living room. Select fresh fabrics such as printed cotton or natural linen to make the space feel bright and breezy.”

Kitchen Floral hit

Bringing the outside in is a sure-fire way to tune into the changing season.

“Fresh vibrant ferns or colourful flowering plants such as oncidiums and anthuriums are low maintenance and long lasting,” says Miriklis.

Either display combinations of white and green, or warm tones, or cool tones, she advises.

Sweetpeas, forget-me-nots and freesias are great for colour and scent. Tree peonies, poppies and ranunculus add warm colour after a long cold winter, Miriklis says.

Because the kitchen is a high-traffic area, it may benefit from a fresh coat of paint. “In brightening up your kitchen for spring, you really need to reflect the other elements existing in your kitchen space,” advises Dulux’s Lucena-Orr. Add a fresh-toned tablecloth, invest in storage to control clutter and replace worn-out tea towels, appliances or kitchen utensils.

Freshen every room with stylish advice from Domain’s experts. For tips on the latest homewares to add a pop of personality, to design concepts for a full home makeover: domain.com.au/living

OUR COVER The Zara rectangular table, dining chairs and bench, all from Domayne.

DOM A IN

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NEW LIVING

MODERN HOMES B y K ATE J O N E S

At a glance Pelham Armadale 54-56 Wattletree Road, Armadale Architect: Ewert Leaf Developer: Roulston and Buxton Group Interior design: Ewert Leaf Number of apartments: 20; seven two-bed, 13 three-beds Internal sizes (sq m): three-bedroom

Brand-new and made to measure

W

V O YA G E R

FORGE

WHARFSIDE RESIDENCES

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External areas (sq m): 15-134 Prices: three-beds $1.43 million-$3.8 million

hether they are buyers of first, second or third homes, most Melbourne house hunters fall into one of two neat categories: new or old.

Buyers who opt for an old or nearnew home can reimagine the space with the addition of a wall here and a new kitchen there, while those who buy off the plan prefer a blank canvas where the layout is customised to their liking from the get-go.

For downsizer Kate Nicolas, the choice was easy. “If you buy another house with the same amount of

Artist’s impression – Yarra’s Edge

apartments 116-274

money, you’re eventually going to have to do it up, whereas this way you come in and it’s all perfectly ready to rock and roll,” she says.

Kate and husband Keith searched for the right digs for themselves and their two teenage daughters for a year, before deciding on Pelham Armadale, a boutique complex of just 20 apartments.

Once the Wattletree Road project is completed next year, the Nicolases will up-sticks from their family home in Prahran East.

Car parking: Two, penthouses four Completion: April 2019 Agent: Marshall White, Ross Hams 0410 160 151 Open for inspection: At Marshall White offices, Level 1, 1111 High St, Armadale

MELBOURNE’S RARE CITY SANCTUARY D I S COV E R A H O M E D E S I G N E D F O R YO U R L I F E S T Y L E AT YA R R A S E D G E . M I R VA C . C O M

Moonee Ponds landmark

GREG BRIGGS

C

Kate Nicolas, with daughters Grace and Eve, found luxury and value at Pelham Armadale.

“We love Prahran and Windsor and we looked at all the surrounding areas, but you just can’t get a lot with your money,” Kate says.

“But you can get brand-new apartments with brand-new appliances, which is much better than getting something that’s not quite right.”

The heritage beauties of Armadale have been reworked through a contemporary lens at Pelham.

“Pelham is opposite a heritage overlay, so the materials we generally find in Edwardian and Victorian

buildings are the same materials here, and what we’ve done is reinterpret that in a contemporary way,” architect Will Leaf says.

Pelham has two basement levels and four above-ground apartment levels, and in combination with landscaping by Jack Merlo, the corner-block development fits the prestigious look of Armadale well.

ompletion of the two towers that make up Hall St at Mason Sq is tantalisingly close. With a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports court, a shared toolshed, outdoor cinema and teppanyaki bar, luxury reigns supreme.

The 17-level east and 22-level west towers are scheduled for completion as soon as October this year.

Built on the old Moonee Ponds market car park, Hall St at Mason Sq will have 440 apartments with oak floors, full-height pantries and integrated dishwashers. There are 86 one-bedroom apartments, 17 twobed and one three-bed to snap up before doors officially open.

From Hall St at Mason Sq, it’s a five-minute walk to Puckle Street, the main shopping district, and just three minutes to Moonee Ponds Central. The clean, open spaces of Maribyrnong River and Queens Park are also within walking distance. Importantly, train, tram and bus connections can easily be reached on foot.

At a glance Hall St at Mason Sq 40 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds Architect: Caydon Architecture & Design Developer: Caydon Property Group Interior design: Caydon Architecture & Design Number of apartments: 440; one-bed 264, twobed 145, three-bed 31 Internal sizes (sq m): One-bed 48-69, two-bed 62-85, three-bed 89-134 External areas (sq m): One-bed 6-25, two-bed 8-64, three-bed 12-32 Prices: One-bed from $359,000, two-bed from $578,500, three-bed from $718,500 Car parking: One car space for one and twobed apartments; two car spaces for three-beds.

Completion estimate: October/November 2018

Scan the code

Scan the code

Agent: Caydon sales

with the Domain app

with the Domain app

agents 1800 676 637

to view listing

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T R A N Q U I L WAT E R F R O N T V I L L A G E

A quiet haven with all the convenience and comfort you could ask for, just 2km from the CBD’s celebrated culture and amenity.

A PA R T M E N T S & WAT E R F R O N T H O M E S

Spacious, luxurious and beautifully appointed 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and 4 bedroom riverfront Wharfside Residences available. Move in to Forge or the Wharfside Residences now or secure your future at Voyager and save on stamp duty.

D I S P L AY H O M E S & A P A R T M E N T S AVA I L A B L E FOR INSPECTION BY APPOINTMENT 3.7ha of open spaces

Move in or secure your tenant now at Forge

Contact Janet Walker: 0466 440 863

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NEW LIVING

STYLE

B y DARRE N PALM E R

A

Use heavy, lined

part from the obvious chill in the air, I always know it’s time to cold-proof my house when I see the return of the door snake that guards a friend’s front door threshold. While effective, they’re not necessarily the sexiest additions to your home. Here are a few other ways to warm up your abode.

drapes to keep the warmth in and throws for visual interest.

A home for all seasons

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Aside from warmth, fire brings a sensory plethora of inputs, from sight to sound to smell. Not every home has a fireplace or every owner the capacity to add one, but you can buy ethanol-burning versions to add that flame.

Top 3 by design have a beauty – the Cocoon Chiminea Aeris Black Federico Otero for Cocoon Fires, which can be hung from the ceiling in winter but unscrewed and put away in the warmer months. I’d politely steer you away from electric

COURTESY OF MYER

Fire

although be aware of the energy rating so you don’t fall prey to bill shock. Store-bought electric heaters can be among the biggest energy consumers so, if you have the choice, opt for a gas freestanding heater.

GLOBE WEST

Window treatments

fire versions, they lack the integrity that comes with a real flame.

Heating Underfloor heating is one of the best ways to warm a space, though it is a choice to be included when renovating or building. Hydronic underfloor heating is expensive to

install but cheap to run; electric underfloor heating the opposite.

The next best option could be retrofitting hydronic wall heaters in cooler climates, though the expense will generally rule that out for places north of Canberra.

Another good retrofit option is reverse-cycle airconditioning,

Summer is all about letting in the light and breezes, while winter is about keeping heat in and cold out, with windows some of the biggest culprits. Take down your summer sheer curtains and replace them with lined, heavier fabrics such as velvet or wool. Installing a pelmet and running your drapes from wall to wall, ceiling to floor, will give you the best protection from the elements.

A throw for your couch Prue and Trude were onto something when upselling a “threw” for Kath and Kim’s “carch”. A substantial throw can be just the ticket for warming up your rooms and

yourselves. Whether styled over the end of the bed or nonchalantly tossed across a sofa, the break of a throw can give visual interest, a splash of colour and the addition of texture or pattern but, most importantly, can warm your bodies.

Bedding Flannel sheets are cosy and warming but about as luxurious as trackie dacks. On my bed at home, I have my Darren Palmer range Belgian linen sheets (exclusive to Myer) and while being a lot more refined, they feel as warm and cosy in winter as flannel, due to the twice-washed softness paired with the smoothness of the highest-quality Belgian flax. I’d bought them for a cooling summer sleep as they breathe beautifully, but it turns out I’m as snug as a bug in them in winter.

HomeSpace by Darren Palmer (Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99).

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NEW LIVING

DECOR & DESIGN B y FE LICIT Y MARSHALL

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apanese design philosophy meets traditional farmhouse style at this country retreat built from local granite.

The cottage, near the historic goldmining town of Beechworth in north-east Victoria, serves as a weekender for a Melbourne-based couple – both of whom grew up in the area – and their children.

The pair, who spent many years living and working in Japan, originally commissioned a draftsman to draw up the plan for the dwelling, then engaged Melbourne-based design practice Doherty Design Studio to fine-tune the layout, make the final decision on the windows and external finishes, and undertake the complete interior design and decoration.

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The studio founder, Mardi Doherty, says the client sought a dwelling that reflected its country setting and expressed a Japanese sensibility.

“Integral to the brief was that the house should have a good connection to the outdoors and a feeling of intimacy,” she explains.

“The owners are of the view that their getaway doesn’t need to be big to be beautiful. This sits neatly with their respect for the particularly Japanese philosophy of simple, efficient living and the clever use of small, well-ordered spaces.”

The two-level, three-bedroom building, constructed from locallysourced granite, features a rustic, pitched roof and exposed rafters

DEREK SWALWELL

Farmhouse fusion

The traditional farmhouse has been infused with Japanese design philosophy.

secured with contrasting metal panels. “The built form references the simple and exposed nature of the artisanal joinery and construction techniques traditionally found in Japanese homes,” Doherty says.

“Exposed roof trusses and their junctions – clearly embellished by large, black fixing plates – are a key part of the home’s aesthetic detailing.”

Reminders of Japan are interspersed throughout the house.

In the dining area adjacent to the kitchen, a marble-topped pedestal

table and built-in banquette, both encrusted in white glass mosaic tiles, stand in for the chabudai, a low, short-legged table seen in Japanese dwellings. Nearby, a rectangular amber glass panel set within the sliding door that leads from the kitchen to the back of the house alludes to the ranma panels used in Japanese interiors to create diffused light and shadow effects.

In the hallway, a recessed wash nook lined in blue tiles pays homage to the Japanese convention of keeping the bath and shower separate to the washbasin and toilet.

The cohesive nature of the interior relies on the repetition of colours, surfaces and materials, including timber panelling, terrazzo floors, glazed tiles and bronze tapware.

Moody greys and blues act as a contrast to raw, natural materials, while pops of mustard highlight the warm tones in the granite.

Pendants, track lights and wall sconces work alone or together for subtle, subdued lighting at night, while large skylights in the roof allow natural light to play across the granite walls during the day.

The spiral staircase leading to the open attic bedroom acts as a spacesaving measure and also adds a dramatic circular steel structure that draws the eye against the backdrop of a dark grey wall. Sheer curtains and carpeted bedrooms inject a sense of softness and warmth.

Be inspired by Australia’s best homes: domain.com.au/living/style

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YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY

to live at the home of The Ritz-Carlton hotel

Artist’s impression

The final chapter of West Side Place, The Park Release, offers luxury residences with exclusive amenities, public leisure space and a retail precinct.

Striking a balance between opulence and the beauty of nature, The Park Release celebrates public gardens and the sweeping views across the heart of Melbourne.

This release offers buyers a range of living options, with residences available in 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms.

View by appointment. Register today.

1300 296 064

I

westsideplace.com.au

Artist’s impression The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. or its affiliates (“RITZ-CARLTON”) have entered into an agreement with the developer, MAY21 Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Far East Consortium, to manage the proposed hotel, The RITZ-CARLTON, Melbourne. This agreement may be terminated in certain circumstances such as default and in which case, the hotel will no longer be a RITZ-CARLTON branded hotel. The West Side Place apartments are not owned, developed, marketed, sold, managed or serviced by RITZ-CARLTON

NEW LIVING

THE DESIGN FILES B y LU CY FE AG INS

Serenity in an edited approach

Paris Thomson commissioned this couch in her luxurious paredback apartment.

Who: Paris Thomson, of SIRAP Where: Collingwood, Victoria What: Sharply-edited city apartment

CAITLIN MILLS / PRODUCTION LUCY FEAGINS / THE DESIGN FILES

P

aris Thomson spends her days capturing, editing and producing highly-considered footage for her Motion Production Studio, SIRAP. It is little surprise then that Thomson’s small apartment is also highly edited, and captures her exacting and precise aesthetic.

The Collingwood apartment is only two blocks away from the young entrepreneur’s busy studio, but offers a serene escape from the office. She describes how “when I walk through the door I feel like I’m in another world”, where the leafy aspect creates a sense of calm.

The space is flooded with natural light, providing a “beautiful spot to sit in the mornings with the sun falling on your face”.

The size of the apartment has necessitated a clever and curated approach to make the intimate space feel like a welcoming home.

For Thomson, this meant adopting a “quality, not quantity” mindset, and applying a strategic use of textures to add warmth and softness.

While admitting to following the Melbourne stereotype of not being big on colour, Thomson says, “I love the classic look of black and white natural textures – stone, metals and timbers”.

Thomson bought the apartment off the plan in 2015, and moved in early 2017. “I wanted to get my foot in the door and buy something that I could actually live in,” she says.

She had looked at several apartment developments, both built and off the plan, but this one by Gurner stood out from the crowd.

“I wanted to live in a smaller block and not a huge tower,” she said.

“This building is low rise and still retains elements of the original facade which was refreshing – there are so many squeaky clean new apartments, it’s nice to have a nod to what was once there.”

Interior design details by Elenberg Fraser were also a drawcard for this apartment. The stone bench across the balcony is one of her favourite design features – “the perfect perch for a G&T”, she says.

And while the size of the home means entertaining often ends up as a standing soiree event, for Thomson, adapting to living in this apartment has gently influenced her perspective of life. Now, “less is more”. thedesignfiles.net

Paris Thomson in her Collingwood apartment The balcony’s bench is “the perfect perch for a G&T”.

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NEW LIVING

SPECIAL FEATURE

DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT Full-height windows framing city skyline views are features of the skyhomes. Below, residents can enjoy The Conservatory on level 22.

Luxury at home in the sky

T

he top eight levels of Caydon’s 29-level development, Rise, will be made up of “skyhomes” – an exclusive group of 62 prestige apartments with the space and amenity to rival any suburban house.

“These are large, luxurious homes with amazing views,” says sales director Michael Sain.

“For a limited time, skyhome buyers can take advantage of full stamp duty savings. With construction on the horizon, and a limited number of skyhomes remaining, this opportunity won’t last long.”

Rise is the fourth and final tower to be completed as part of Caydon’s $650 million Mason Sq precinct, set on a former market site at the heart of buzzing Moonee Ponds.

Sain says Rise’s skyhomes mark the precinct’s most glamorous and exclusive offering, and are likely to set a new benchmark for high-end living in the area. “We’re seeing so many suburban downsizers move into apartments now,” he says. “And the early interest we’ve seen from this market tells us that we’ve hit the mark for buyers seeking both lifestyle and a home.”

Skyhome residents will be able to choose from one, two and three-

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bedroom apartments of up to 182 square metres in size, and will have access to a bevy of luxury amenities.

The key design principle for Rise’s skyhomes is space. Skyhomes revolve around open living areas surrounded by full-height glass windows that open onto balconies to maximise space and views.

Caydon interior design manager Dimitris Stefanidis says the skyhomes have a “penthouse elegance” that makes them stand out from other apartment offerings in Melbourne’s north. “We have introduced more luxury,” he says.

“They are atmospheric, intimatelycrafted and refined.”

Stefanidis says he and the design

team have used warm colours and high-quality natural materials to create living spaces that are both inviting and sophisticated.

Rise’s sophisticated interiors extend beyond individual apartments to shared amenities in the tower.

Skyhome residents have exclusive access to The Conservatory, a communal area on level 22.

Stefanidis says The Conservatory was inspired by the look and feel of a private members’ club. “It includes an elegant skybar, cozy fireplace and intimate seating that opens onto a large landscaped deck with uninterrupted views of the city skyline,” he says. “It even has lockable storage for your prized whisky bottles.”

Sain says: “It’s important to have these shared spaces for skyhome residents. So if you wanted to entertain and have people over, but you’re a first-home buyer with a onebedroom apartment, you can enjoy The Conservatory and feel like you’ve got all this space.”

Skyhome residents will enjoy other luxury amenities within the building, from the Stonewater indoor pool and spa to Club Rise, a health and fitness retreat with gymnasium, sauna and yoga studio. There’s also a workshop with lockers and tools, private dining rooms and kitchen, and an outdoor cinema. Residents will also have access to Mason Garden, a spectacular half-acre of lush, garden and recreational areas.

“This is what people expect from the lock-and-leave lifestyle. People are after security and convenience, but they still want the space they are used to with a home,” Sain says.

Visit the interactive apartment display for Rise at 122a Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds. For more information, phone 1800 676 637 or go to rise.caydon.com.au

NEW LIVING

INNOVATION B y J E N NY B ROWN

The scale and unpretentious functionality underpins much of the charm of Nulla Vale House by MRTN Architects.

F

rom a distance, I don’t know what to make of the pair of buildings on the ridge? Before I decide, I’m down the sweeping driveway that Antony Martin designed to wander the rolling landscape along “the desire line … the natural path you’d take in from the entry gate”?

Are they sheds? Antipodean-style rustic cottages? How long have they been there? Judging by the gabled form and modest dimensions, they might be pioneer-built because the Lancefield grazing property is in one of Victoria’s longest exploited farming districts.

This sweet deception, of making the primary off-the-grid accommodation for clients who’d bought a 121-hectare slice of a generations-old property “harmonise with the landscape,” was the intent they shared with the MRTN Architects principal.

Nobody, Martin says, “wanted to do something that screamed ‘architecture’.’’

The two buildings sit on a saddle which “best maximises the dramatic views to the west and north,” and have pitched roofs “because it’s the simplest form of structure. It is basic structure: walls and a roof”.

The galvanised building is a shed with half its volume open-ended. “We worked with a shed company to customise its design,” Martin says.

The other structure, with only 45 square metres of internal accommodation, is as simply arranged as possible. It has a sleeping alcove separated from a snug living area at the other end by a nicely-appointed bathroom within a wooden pod.

Basic? Cooking is done on the wood-fire stove and a cabinet-like galley is all the kitchen required in a building that in future will become a wing of a larger home.

As with most cabin-like structures, the scale and unpretentiousfunctionality is a lot of the charm.

But externally, so is the choice of materials. “Salvaged bricks from Daylesford, salvaged granite lintels

PETER BENNETTS

Simplicity by the shedload

above some windows, and salvaged galvanised iron that was full of holes,” lists Martin.

Save for the rusty upper walls that internally are clad in silvertop ash timber, the stripped-back unfussiness is reflected inside. Yet what stops it feeling like a sparse box is both the epic views through carefully placed windows, and more particularly, the angled open roof that allows a view “up into those simple timber trusses”.

“At night, concealed lights bounce off the silver insulating material and make the experience of the volume feel like you could be sleeping in a barn. And that makes you feel like you’re part of the landscape.”

The point of the placement, size and appointment of the buildings was “to make them of an unreadable age”, says Martin. “This is architecture without ego.” mrtn.com.au

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