Domain - The Age - 2022 Summer Edition

Facing everyday challenges with courage

Note from the editor

If a tree or sea change wasn’t on your bingo card in 2021, it may be now. The repetitious nature of this year, the third of the pandemic, could be tickling an urge to switch up your address. Back-to-the-office is still on hold for some. It’s not what we expected, giving rise to more life decisions. And even if you are back at a nineto-five desk, a drive back to a verdant part of Victoria, or a tootle to the coast, after a working day, may understandably hold extra appeal. This edition is for you. Our second summer special focuses on coastal and country properties. A feature on living by the water looks into locations that are not always obvious. Yes, the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas are hard to top, but have you ever thought about hunting for a home in the beautiful river and lakeside districts? We top this up with the design words you need to know in 2022, new homewares that pop, and inspiration for creating an outdoor kitchen to serve you through every season.

INDEX

What to see this Weekend p6

Home of the Week p11

Luxury p12

Regional Focus p16

My Address p20

Al Fresco p24

Homewares Edit p27 Interiors p29

Out of town, Mansfield p31 Out of town, Birregurra p33

Out of town, Queenscliff p35

A beach shack, but not as you know it

Sometimes in deep midwinter, melancholy with work and early dark, we might wonder what all the toil is for. Then comes the light, the warmth and the promise of pulling up the car and unpacking the year’s woes on some golden shore.

Doesn’t really matter if it’s caravan park or palace but if someone throws you the keys to 4 Murray Drive, Point Leo, you’ll have hit the summer jackpot.

Stylish, smooth and in a serene locale, only a few minutes from the water’s edge, this is the quintessential modern beach shack.

We’re taking the mickey a bit calling this striking place that, but in truth, this is about as set-andforget a summer pad as it gets.

Agent Andrew Hines says you can “throw your towel in the back room, close the front door and not worry about it ’til next summer. It’s really that low-maintenance”.

The crisp Modscape design has intersecting rectangular modules that, on the ground level, open out to provide seamless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining options.

Hines, of Kay & Burton, has set a price guide of $3 million to $3.3 million.

LOU SWEENEY

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Point Leo

The tones and textures of this easycare single-level home evoke its coastal environment: external cypress cladding weathered to a silvery grey, knotted marine-ply walls the colour of wet sand, pebbly polished-concrete floors and kitchen joinery in shell-

white. The vendors have landscaped around the abode, built within a cohesive, architecturally sensitive development established in 2010, and added a separate studio/shed with a view across the deck and front lawn to the bluff. “Out of every window is a snapshot of the garden or the water,” the agent says.

Private sale

Agent: Bellarine Property, Zoe Le Page 0400 029 443

This ultra-modern Australian homestead is bold yet discreet, sitting low in its acreage allotment on the perimeter of a vibrant Macedon Ranges town that’s long been a foodie destination. Hunters Run, designed by inner-city-based JOH Architects,

HEPBURN SPRINGS

1-3/2 Mineral Springs Crescent $875,000-$895,000

This picturesque retreat offers the opportunity to indulge and rejuvenate while earning rental income at a historic wellness centre 10 minutes from its cousin, Daylesford, northwest of the city. There are three 1920s-built lodges on the 559-squaremetre block fronting a gully – each with a private deck, spa, and open fire. The pair of two-bedders can fetch $30,000 a year on Airbnb, while the separate one-bed cottage has served as the vendor’s bolthole. “Hepburn Springs has live music, espresso martinis, kangaroos, the brightest stars at night and the freshest air,” the agent enthuses.

Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, February 15

Agent: Belle Property, Christine Lewis 0431 853 727

appears as three pods facing north: bedroom wing, indoor-outdoor living space under a massive overhang, and main bedroom. It features bagged brickwork, a sophisticated contemporary interior and ecoconscious inclusions. “It’s been a weekend property for the owners, but the interest ... is as a permanent home,” the agent says.

Private sale Agent: RT Edgar, Beverley Higgs 0448 271 222

BALLARAT CENTRAL

115 Dawson Street South $1.55 million 7 3 3

Here’s a character-filled country charmer for a Brady Bunch, for those serious about WFH, or a family simply seeking space. Walking distance from the shops, Craig’s Royal Hotel and the

station, this Californian bungalow has expanded to offer three bedrooms, a study, two living areas and a vast kitchen downstairs, plus four bedrooms and a rumpus room upstairs. “It’s perfect for the blended family that likes to entertain,” the agent says.

Private sale Agent: Harcourts, Christine Browning 0407 590 085

WARRNAMBOOL

28 Howard Street

$1.8 million-$1.98 million 3 2 2

Dursley Cottage, built of local sandstone and dressed with Victorian-era iron lacework across its tessellated-tile verandah, is a comparative newcomer in this coastal

town. The corner property in the town’s centre has been renovated and extended behind a historic stone fence. “It has quality and a timeless design; the contemporary renovation blends with its lovely historic charm,” the agent says. Paved terraces offer outdoor entertaining spaces.

Private sale Agent: Charles Stewart Real Estate, Penny Adamson 0407 600 767

Compiled by JACQUI HAMMERTON

HOME OF THE WEEK

By LOU SWEENEY

Laid-back and luxe

It’s not that Blairgowrie gets overlooked, it’s just that on the jewelled Italianate foot of the peninsula, names like Sorrento and Portsea cast pretty big shadows.

Just like those better-known cousins, though, the pastel bay waters colour Blairgowrie’s northern edge while the wild blue ocean is all drama behind the dunes to the south.

In between, there’s a terrific shopping strip with good coffee, fine food and plenty of attractive streets showcasing some cool, cutting-edge spreads. It’s no surprise, then, to find this ripper house, whose peakedroofed, scrubbed coastal aesthetic is a deeply impressive sight.

Two connecting pavilions – one whitewashed brick, one timber –present a confident, contemporary face to the street. In between, a striking central entry lowers and links the sections.

One of our favourite things here is the natural granite crazy paving underfoot. It feels suitably cool and coastal and, when moving off it onto

the chic oak floors or lush carpets, the juxtaposition is palpably fine.

Beyond garage and laundry, the south side passage is lined with a bank of windows. Along here are two lovely bedrooms serviced by a lush marble and timber bathroom. At the end of the hall, the green-tiled powder room is a simple knockout.

At the rear, the superb kitchendining-living area sits under raked ceilings, catching the light and air from all that loft.

A marble island bench and wall of handsome timber cabinetry mark the stylish kitchen, which includes side preparation space and butler’s pantry.

Beyond the dining area is a tall, whitewashed chimney. Its doublesided fireplace warming both this space and the divine living room.

Banks of sliding glass open to a broad, decked entertaining area with a sparkling pool, barbecue and garden. Follow the deck around and access the second pavilion via the splendid main bedroom that

BLAIRGOWRIE

28 Derrick Street $3.7 million-$3.9 million 4 2 2

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, January 31

Agent: Whitefox Real Estate, James Hallahan 0434 517 572

Need to know:

This is the first time the property has been offered for sale. The highest recorded house price for Blairgowrie (past 12 months) was $9 million for 9-13 Mirino Street in April 2021.

Recent Sales

$1.25 million 351 Melbourne Road, Jan 2022 $2 million 25 Ocean Road, Dec 2021

$1.475 million 1 Cook Street, Dec 2021

What the agent says

overlooks the pool and garden and includes a walk-through wardrobe and modish marble en suite.

Head back to that linking central entry, passing another generous bedroom and front-facing retreat/ living room.

The configuration is clever – laidback as well as luxe; considered as well as cool. Bravo, Blairgowrie.

James Hallahan

Whitefox Real Estate

An incredibly designed property. The seamless flow to outdoor entertaining and pool make it truly one of Blairgowrie’s best properties.

LUXURY

By MARY O’BRIEN

ELIZA

million-$3.3

This renovated Hamptons-style family house has a flexible floor plan, including a spacious family-dining area with french doors to a terrace, and a marble-topped kitchen with a farmhouse sink. The formal loungedining room features a sandstone fireplace. The main bedroom has french doors to the garden, and the study could be used as a bedroom. Upstairs are another four bedrooms. The pool and spa with a shimmering gazebo promise happy days.

“Renovated over the past year, this home has everything a modern family would need,” says the agent.

Private sale

Agent: Marshall White, Dominic Salvato 0400 335 700

GISBORNE

210 McGregor Road $3.8 million-$3.95 million

4 3 16

On 3.52 hectares, this country retreat comes with a separate bluestone studio, a large barn or “man cave” with an upstairs office, and four paddocks.

The pretty house with wraparound verandah offers views of Mount Macedon. There are four bedrooms, the main with french doors and an en suite, and a country-style kitchen. “It’s like your own personal country estate,” says the agent.

Private sale Agent: Hocking Stuart, Julian Conte 0404 811 918

JAN JUC

42 Bells Boulevard $4.45 million 5 3 8

Two minutes’ drive from Bells Beach, this house was designed by architect Jeremy Ham for his family. Built on a slope, the entrance leads to the first-

floor living area with 4.2-metre-high ceilings. Expect exposed beams, Colorbond walls, picture windows framing the forest views, and multiple decks. On 2.02 hectares, it contains a separate studio (with a kitchenette) that makes a perfect home office.

Private sale Agent: Hayden Real Estate, Brent Hartigan 0414 439 931

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Artist’s impression of a three bedroom apartment. Available with two car spaces and terrace balcony. Average three bedroom apartment size is 185sqm (including balcony). *Prices correct as at 10 January 2022

RETIREMENT LIVING

By KATE JONES

heating or cooling just before they return and to also help them organise boarding for their pet cat.

Located at the site of the former Channel 9 studios, Ardency Kennedy Place will include 116 residences crafted by architects and interior designers at Bates Smart.

The GTV studios hosted the filming of In Melbourne Tonight – the beloved program hosted by late greats Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton – among others.

Ardency Kennedy Place occupies an enviable position not far from the Yarra River, just four kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and only 250 metres from the shops and cafes on Swan Street.

A haven for ‘rightsizers’

It took two years of thorough searching to find a residence that was the right fit for Heather and Ray Bowden. They wanted to maintain their social lifestyles, stay close to the city and, most importantly of all, live in a spacious apartment they can easily leave when they want to get away.

“We don’t see ourselves as downsizers,” Heather says. “We looked at quite a few apartments and many of them were quite pokey. We have purchased a three-bedroom plus study, which internally is 153 square metres and we needed that; we wanted that for our lifestyle.”

The couple, aged in their 70s, are the proud new owners of a residence at Ardency Kennedy Place, an upmarket community for the over55s. They are like many buyers who find the Lendlease development in Richmond appealing, particularly those who are “rightsizing” rather than downsizing.

Unlike simply shifting from a large residence to a small one, the Bowdens were set on securing a place that suited all of their needs. This included a study, a spare room, a guest bedroom and generous entertaining spaces.

“We’re not downsizing, so we didn’t want to go into a confined space,”

Heather says. “It’s the only place we looked at that gave us what we really wanted – and that’s space, outdoor living and all one level.

“This has got all the facilities, including the outdoor gardens, that just about all the other places we looked at didn’t have.”

Like many Victorians, the Bowdens are champing at the bit to travel. So much so, they have numerous trips scheduled through until 2024.

Each time they leave, they will have the peace of mind of knowing a property manager is there to maintain the gardens and the pool. They can also rely on the help of the on-site concierge to turn on the

The abundance of shared amenities – a pool, gym, 30-seat cinema, rooftop bar and dining area, communal garden and library – are designed to make retirement living fun and social.

“Ardency Kennedy Place also has a wealth of communal spaces that promote socialisation, such as our on-site cafe, the rooftop terrace and bar and the residents’ lounge,” says Tamara Rasmussen, head of resident operations at Lendlease Retirement Living.

“For us, it’s really about that focus on having spaces where residents can create their own activities or meet up with friends and family.”

Close proximity to public transport is also a major benefit, with the Burnley train station and the trams on Swan Street and Bridge Road all within a 10-minute walk.

This makes it easy to head into the city to see live performances, meet friends for lunch or dinner or watch just about any major sporting event.

Once the construction of Ardency Kennedy Place is complete in late 2022, residents can enjoy a jampacked social calendar, whether it’s at home or out and about.

Ardency Kennedy Place gives residents a lockand-leave lifestyle with all the space they need.

REGIONAL FOCUS

By LARISSA DUBECKI

The lure of lakes and rivers

So you want to live by the water but don’t think you can afford it? As an adjunct to thoughts of the Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast, cast your sights to Victoria’s lakes and rivers so you, too, can live the waterfront dream.

Ovens River

Is there any box Bright doesn’t tick? It’s ridiculously pretty, especially in autumn when the European trees blaze with colour. It’s the gateway to the ski fields, it has an excellent ratio of good bars, cafes, breweries and restaurants to human inhabitants and it’s on the mountain-clear waters of the Ovens River.

It’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with Bright and its surroundings, sending its median house price to $797,500.

Head there in summer and you’ll find a good proportion of townsfolk enjoying their river, which is dammed each Christmas to Easter to create a shallow, family-friendly swimming area in the central Bright Centenary Park (there’s also a human-made splash park alongside it for extra fun).

Take an amble along the river with the Canyon Walk. Admiring the riverfront houses ought to provide enough real estate inspiration to chuck in the rat race and move to the alpine north-east. By way of market pulse-taking, a two-bedroom house on 800 square metres directly on the Canyon Walk is asking just less than $1.4 million.

If it’s more of a bargain you’re after, head along the river to blink-andyou’ll-miss-them townships like Smoko and Freeburgh.

Lake Wendouree

The gold rush history and architecture get all the press, which means it’s easy to forget Ballarat is built around the serene Lake Wendouree. The lake may be artificial – it’s the result of swampland being dammed during the various gold rushes – but it has been a feature of Ballarat recreational life since the 1860s.

“It’s Ballarat’s answer to Albert Park Lake. You’ll see lots of rowers and sailing,” says Kim McQueen of Kim McQueen Real Estate.

Ovens river, Bright.

JOSIE WITHERS

“The private schools have their rowing sheds, much like in Melbourne, and there’s a running track right around it and the Botanic Gardens at one end, so it all represents premium real estate.”

When you’re talking Ballarat waterfront real estate, it’s all about Wendouree Parade. The city’s answer to Melbourne’s Beach Road or Geelong’s Esplanade, these ringside homes go for a premium (McQueen was selling one grand design quoted at upwards of $4 million). But don’t go thinking you can snaffle a complete bargain. Lake Wendouree, the suburb, recently joined the million-dollar club with an average house price of $1.11 million – the first in Ballarat to do so.

Lake Mulwala

The home of endless golf courses, good weather and the rather impressive Lake Mulwala, the living is pretty easy in Yarrawonga.

Mark Seeliger of Seeliger Real Estate says the number one rule of the market in this border town is to get as close to the lake as possible.

“It’s such a great asset for our town. There’s a lot of river in these parts but not a lot of lake.”

Seeliger grew up on the lake and can extol the rosy-hued virtues of a childhood filled with swimming,

waterskiing and generally messing about with boats: “It’s just the best lifestyle for a kid.”

Sharing the lake with NSW means this infrastructure-rich regional epicentre has a push-pull over which side has the most to offer, with both boasting waterfront activation that makes a sun-loving lifestyle a very real possibility.

As you’ve probably guessed, prices have skyrocketed over the past year (that said, the median house price is $546,000, which is enough to make the average Melburnian weep tears of jealousy).

A slew of new developments in the pipeline assures a drip-feed of homes near the lake – although any diehard waterskiers might want to look at Bundalong, about 15 minutes east of Yarrawonga, where the Ovens River spills into the lake and boat boasting rights are hotly contested.

Lake Hume

Twenty kilometres from Wodonga, Lake Hume represents a huge aquatic playground for the city’s 42,000 residents, but why bother with the 20-minute drive when you can live right at the water’s edge? Take Tallangatta, for instance.

“There are no traffic lights, no traffic, there’s a huge park in the middle of the shopping strip and the town just got its first cafe

serving a proper brunch,” says Silviya Saric of Wodonga Real Estate, who was selling a two-storey home with unhindered water views for $499,000.

There’s a lot to be said for sitting on your balcony enjoying the serenity of small lakeside towns like Tallangatta (population 1082), Huon (219) and Bonegilla (693).

But change is coming even to these sleepy hamlets. “There’s a lot more interest from Melbourne metro,” Saric says. “And there’s a flow-on effect from Myrtleford and Mitta Mitta. People are selling their houses and capitalising on these towns.”

Yarra River

Thinking affordable(ish) waterfront in Melbourne? Think Warrandyte. Still more of a township in its attitude and aesthetics, this enclave of loveliness on the north-eastern outskirts has secret and not-so-secret river swimming spots as well as a thriving river culture that makes it stand out from the suburban pack.

“The river is a real pull for people and became even more so during the pandemic,” says Chris Chapman of Jellis Craig Eltham. “It’s the centre of village life in Warrandyte. The main street is Yarra Street, and the river runs alongside it. There’s one supermarket and no petrol station, so it feels like a real country town but you’re only 24 kilometres from the city centre.”

Warrandyte has the closest state park to Melbourne, which draws bushwalkers and picnickers each weekend. The main street has no shortage of cafes from which to enjoy the serenity with an espresso, and the dominant house design embraces exposed brick and rugged timber.

The median house price is about $1.347 million, although there’s a riverfront premium at play. But what price your own private jetty, and being able to walk outside your back gate for a kayak down the eucalypthemmed river?

Yarra River, Warrandyte.

Lake Mulwala, Yarrawonga.

Lake Hume, Albury Wodonga.

“The river is a real pull for people and became even more so during the pandemic.” -

CHRIS CHAPMAN OF JELLIS CRAIG ELTHAM

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Artist impression

SUMMER SALE

Alife split between coastal and metro. The hubbub of suburban day-to-day balanced with small town composure.

It’s a tonic for the soul, and a scenario that former winter Olympian Steph Prem has made her real estate reality.

Prem, a five-time national snowboarding champion and the only woman to represent Australia in the snowboard cross at the 2010 Vancouver Games, took an international view when it came to opening a health and fitness studio in Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula.

The personal trainer and clinical Pilates instructor is the founder of Studio PP, which operates fitness and wellbeing classes in South Yarra and on Collins Street in the city.

She opened the third studio in Portsea after a fact-finding trip to the US demonstrated a demand for beachside Hamptons health and wellness studios by visiting Manhattanites. She thought that would work well here.

MY ADDRESS

Words by EMILY POWER Photos by GREG BRIGGS

Fit and fab in Portsea

Steph Prem splits her time between the city and the peninsula.

And so her coastal studio opened on Point Nepean Road in Portsea, propelled by sea-changing clientele who flocked from the city to the Mornington Peninsula during the pandemic. Now Prem resides in Melbourne for half of the week and spends Friday to Monday in Portsea.

Prem says to live on the peninsula through all seasons is to experience a variation of pace. It’s very busy in summer but otherwise, it has a chilled, village vibe.

“There are definite mental and physical benefits I have felt from the lifestyle,” she says. “The work-life balance is the attraction. I live an active lifestyle, so I have learnt to

Buyers facing strong competition have needed to be as primed and ready as the local Prosser fishmonger family’s trawler in a school of gummy sharks.

However, the peninsula’s median house price decreased by 0.6 per cent over the September quarter, according to Domain data, which is the first drop in prices since December 2018.

When demand goes up so do house prices, as does the cost per kilo of flathead fillets from the local fish ’n’ chippery over Christmas. But these signs of easing (for real estate, perhaps not so much for fresh fish), will please buyers who dream of making the peninsula their home.

To live heartily on the coast is to embrace the outdoors, Prem says.

love the juxtaposition of the busy city life versus the coastal life.

“And as much as I love living and working in the city, where a lot of my friends are and a lot of my business is, I like living down the coast because my former life was as a professional athlete.

“I enjoy the active side of coastal living – paddle boarding, walks along the beach, jogging ... and cold-water dips off the pier every morning.”

Prem said the attraction of a slower-paced life was a driving force for the move.

“It is something I preach but need to work on in my practice,” she says. “Portsea and Sorrento have a villagetype feel, and people know each other by their first name and you always run into someone you know as you walk the dog.

“I lived in Europe when I was an athlete, and being back in a coastal village reminds me of being part of a small European town.”

The evolution of this much-loved part of Victoria from a holiday destination to a permanent or parttime residential base has lifted the real estate market like a dawn high tide at Tootgarook.

The latest Domain House Price Report shows half of the top 20 Melbourne suburbs with the highest annual growth are on the Mornington Peninsula.

One of her favourite walks “in the world” is the 1.5-kilometre Farnsworth Track, a cruisey path that links the Portsea surf beach to the monolithic London Bridge in the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The scenic route is a portion of the famous 30-kilometre coastal walk through the peninsula.

Prem’s morning chai latte is from Blakeaway (an offshoot of Blake’s Feast) on Point Nepean Road, opposite her Portsea studio.

The iconic Portsea Hotel is a favourite of hers for lunch and dinner, where the rolling lawn meets the water and the beer garden is a rollicking gaggle of Melbourne’s who’s who in the warmer months.

Prem says there is a collegiate attitude among other beach-based small businesses, which the locals support with relish. She buys her athletic wear at Emia boutique in Portsea, pops into Marlow Spa in neighbouring Sorrento for massage or a facial, and grabs an acai bowl at Baked, also in Sorrento.

“I feel like that basing myself down there, and having the luxury of being there semi-permanently, has allowed me to meet more of the community, and not just rely on my friends who are there over summer. You sign up for things you might not do normally. I genuinely love my Mondays and Fridays down there; they’re a joy.”

Emia boutique shopping.

The pier at the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club.

Lunch at the Portsea Hotel.

“I

enjoy the active side of coastal living – paddle boarding, walks along the beach, jogging

... and cold-water dips off the pier every morning.” - FORMER WINTER OLYMPIAN STEPH PREM

Blakeaway for coffee.

A Seafarers lifestyle extends far beyond the luxuries of your grand-scale home. As Melbourne’s first international hotel-branded residences, it also places a dedicated team of 140 staff at your service, and gives you access to all the guest amenities of Australia’s first 1 Hotel, including: – Private dining rooms with chef catered dinners – Pool, gym, sauna, spa and rooftop garden

24-hour concierge and valet parking

In-home room service and organic pantry stocking

Housekeeping and linen service

Botanical care and maintenance services

Pet care and walking.

Situated on the last piece of Melbourne’s original waterfront, this is the final opportunity to experience absolute riverfront living in the city’s evolving heart.

Artist’s impression

HOTEL RESIDENCES

Five-star apartment life

Embodying a new era of luxury riverfront living for Melbourne, the amenity and services at Seafarers 1 Hotel & Homes on the north bank of the Yarra River is designed to be beyond compare.

Developed by Melbourne-based property development group Riverlee, the waterfront apartments are the city’s first international hotelbranded residences, featuring an unprecedented level of private and shared amenity as part of an aspirational residential experience.

“We have made something extraordinary, that goes beyond what has previously been seen in the Melbourne market. An international level of living awaits, and we are confident it will be the beginning of a new lifestyle standard that buyers will begin to expect in Australia,” says David Lee, development director at Riverlee.

The globally acclaimed 1 Hotels brand ensures the residences feature

all the celebrated sustainable design elements of the hotel below, which is being touted as Australia’s first nature-inspired, sustainable hotel.

Residents at Seafarers will have unlimited access to 1 Hotels’ wellbeing facilities – including a pool, full-service fitness centre, day spa and sauna – as well as a 500-square-metre, resident-only rooftop terrace with lounge, library, lush gardens and two private dining rooms overlooking the Yarra River.

There is also a 24/7 concierge on call, designed to make residents’ lives seamless, from the moment they arrive home and even while they are away on holiday. From valet parking to business services, housekeeping, in-room dining, chef-catered dinners, organic pantry re-stocking and pet care, Seafarers is designed to cater to residents needs.

With elegant interiors designed by Carr, the residences have innovative, quality joinery, fixtures, and highly functional storage.

These elements showcase how colour, texture and light can combine to elevate a space and reflect a resident’s broader holistic experience of the precinct.

The apartments also promote a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle and create the ideal space for entertaining or simply relaxing.

Designed by award-winning Australian architecture firm Fender Katsalidis, the Seafarers building and surrounding public spaces are a

vital part of the emerging Northbank precinct. This vibrant community is defined by placemaking public open spaces including a waterfront public park, Seafarers Rest, and a vast retail and hospitality offering set against the picturesque Yarra River and within walking distance of the CBD.

Attention to detail and an allimportant amenity offering are defining elements that position these branded residences as a unique market offering.

Seafarers aims to elevate the idea of apartment living to a five-star hotel experience while retaining all the considered comforts and conveniences that make a luxury apartment truly feel like a home.

Park and city view residences are priced from $1.215 million and riverfront homes from $1.92 million. The display suite is now open for private appointments.

seafarers-residences.com.au

Seafarers 1 Hotel & Homes residents will have access to all that the hotel has to offer.

Back to nature

AL FRESCO

By JACKIE BRYGEL

By day and by night, in urban gardens across Australia, the outdoor kitchen holds court. Now, more than ever, we are stepping out to cook and dine al fresco-style in privacy and serenity.

As Dave Franklin, director of Franklin Landscape & Design, says: “Outdoor kitchens are enormously popular. The days are gone of just having a little barbecue in the back yard. Everyone has become a chef.”

Underpinning the success of this hardworking zone is an all-important synergy between high performance and captivating design.

Smart appliances

Landscape designer Charlie Albone, director of Inspired Exteriors and garden expert for Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens, advocates investing in appliances that will withstand the elements.

“You have to make sure the appliances are suitable for being fully

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SHARYN CAIRNS

Outdoor kitchen by Splinter Society.

outdoors,” Albone says. “And you need to get the best quality you can afford because of the harsh climate we live in – lots of sun and rain with drastic changes in temperature.”

Expert advice is key when choosing appliances, sinks and tapware. Also, Albone says, “Think about exactly how you’re going to use and entertain in the space.”

Materials matter

“As with appliances, the choice of materials is very important for an outdoor kitchen,” interior designer Anna Wood of Picchio Interiors says. “For benchtops, you could consider an engineered stone. Concrete is also a popular choice for an outdoor benchtop and provides options to be a little creative. Certain natural stones, such as granite, are another robust option, but some ‘softer’ stones are at risk of discolouring over time and would need to be treated.”

When it comes to joinery, choose a good-quality, moisture-resistant material suitable for outdoor use.

“You want a good coating on your joinery as an extra level of protection,” Albone says, adding: “Plastic-based products work really well as they don’t swell and they keep water out.”

“[Also,] don’t forget to select hinges, handles and drawer rollers that are marine-grade and designed for outdoor use,” says interior designer Kate Hardy of Cloth + Stone Designs.

Asha Nicholas of Splinter Society says inspiration was taken from the transformation of its Colonnade House project for the its beautiful al

fresco zone: “It’s important for the outdoor spaces to feel that they are part of the house itself, and ... a transition to green spaces.”

Prime dining

Choosing the right dining setting for your al fresco zone – and positioning it with easy accessibility to the outdoor cooking zone – is a must. And consider built-in furniture. “It reduces the clutter and moving parts in the spaces, thus maintaining nice views out from within the property,” Nicholas says. “Obviously, too, we select materials that are robust to withstand our climate, but also softness is important. We also

focus on materials that don’t show dust and mess to minimise maintenance, and to create spaces that are always inviting.”

Light and shade

A user-friendly outdoor cooking and dining domain will offer both sunshine and shelter.

“Operable, louvre-style roofs are increasingly popular to allow airflow and light control, as well as wetweather protection and relief from the midday sun,” Hardy says,

And for an entertaining retreat as enchanting as it is enticing, nestle the al fresco zone within a garden layered with seasonal delights.

“Think about the details and theme of the garden,” Albone says.

Franklin agrees: “I always like a design that gels well with the house, and I do love a little bit of lushness. We try to plant herbs closer to the barbecue for a more organic feel.”

Franklin Landscape & Design.

HOMEWARES EDIT

Compiled by HAILEY COULES

COASTING ALONG

Avoid ruining your good table and pick up some luxe marble coasters from Country Road. The Hast set comes with four coasters in either snow (pictured) or charcoal, perfect for adding dimension to your setting. countryroad.com.au

ADDING TEXTURE

Keeping your furniture neutral will ensure your love affair lasts and establishes a timeless style in your home. Globe West’s Atlas Compass Coffee table and Hugo Occasional Chair in Rust Speckle are a great pair to lend elegance while keeping to softer tones. globewest.com.au

STATEMENT PIECE

Mix up your dinner set and swap a simple setting for a touch of personality with the In the Roundhouse plates. The playful pieces are collaged by Sydney artist Daimon Downey with Italian words and phrases we know and love in bright tones. davidjones.com

MAKING WAVES

Bring curves to a candle collection with this striking two-piece set – a collaboration by Love Ally and Bed Threads. The calming olive and sage combination is a great way to incorporate on-trend colours into your home in an unexpected way. bedthreads.com.au

INTERIORS

By ELIZABETH CLARKE

Design words of 2022

With the past couple of years seeing us spend more time at home, our desire for spaces that cocoon, comfort and delight has become apparent. The pandemic has also had a significant effect on design trends, particularly when it comes to the look and feel of our homes. We asked five designers to unpack the design words that will define the coming year and the effects they’ll have on our homes.

Whimsy

Craving a luxe-feeling home that makes you smile? Cheeky inspiration, bold forms, and supercharged prints are some of the ways to inject a sense of the unexpected into the home.

“Drab ain’t going to lift your spirits,” Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem from YSG Studio says. “We’ve been cooped up and, despite being free again, collectively acknowledge the importance of transforming our homes into sanctuaries.”

Creating playful and unpretentious spaces is as simple as using lavish prints, sensual curves and ceilings and walls in expressive shades.

“I’m pretty bold when it comes to incorporating prints and unconventional colour selections,” she says. “Unexpected textural pairings and natural materials ... are my go-to’s.”

Customise

In a world of mass production, it’s no surprise there is growing demand for customised objects and spaces. From walk-in wardrobes to outdoor kitchens, made-to-measure can hold significant meaning.

“Today, when the world feels smaller through the ease of travel, technology and mass production, people feel a need to have something artisanal and unique,” designer Nina Maya says.

She says working with the right collaborators is key to achieving a custom vision.

“It’s special to have a design tailored to your needs and desires,” Maya says. “And it takes trusted and talented artisans to turn them into a reality. It can take a village to bring customised design to life.”

Plaster

Beautifully textural, plaster is the antithesis of plain plasterboard walls. It gives walls depth, movement and earthiness, and it’s particularly popular with designers embracing a romantic notion of home.

“Plaster has a feeling of age, authenticity and individuality,” says designer Sonia Simpfendorfer from Nexus Designs. “It subtly references the past and brings a sense of graceful ageing.

“Because polished plaster is shiny and hard, the right lighting adds layers of mood and appreciation,” she says. “Every application is unique, so the final results have variability. It’s the main reason plaster is so highly prized.”

Transparency

“We see the impact of the climate crisis every day,” Sans Arc’s Matiya Marovich says. “The building industry contributes significantly to emissions, and we [can] impact this through design.”

Critical change requires transparency, which reassures consumers that they are making the right building decisions for the planet.

“Sustainability as a ‘company value’ is commonplace, but people see through the spin and are looking for good practice in design,” she says. “If the most affordable, beautiful and accessible option was the most environmentally friendly, then consumers would go that way every time.”

Key to achieving transparency includes drawing from ancient practices, using eco-friendly materials, and avoiding materials with large carbon footprints.

Vibrance

A craving for positive energy is top priority for many of us now, says designer Kim Pearson: “Vibrance is an essential component of the human condition. It’s the things you see, touch, and handle that evoke good feelings, lift spirits and spark joy.”

Colour has the power to transform any space into a happy and uplifting environment.

“Explore the tones and shades of a single colour, like blue and its varying lighter and darker shades,” Pearson suggests. “Or look to nature for inspiration – she rarely gets it wrong. Have confidence in yourself and what you want from your space.”

Harnessing vibrance doesn’t require a heavy hand. A light peppering of colour can be the catalyst for significant shifts in mood and ambience.

Interior design by Nina Maya.

Leaders in Educational Excellence

Victoria’s First IB World School

Forty years ago St Leonard’s College became the first Victorian school to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as an additional pathway to tertiary education.

The IBDP’s internationally focused syllabus and rigorous assessment make it the tertiary entrance qualification most respected and widely recognised by the world’s leading universities. Our students benefit from highly qualified staff teaching across both the VCE and IBDP, helping them to attain the most prestigious scholarships at the leading universities in Australia and overseas.

The St Leonard’s College IBDP Class of 2021 achieved:

• A median ATAR of 97.90

• 2 Perfect ATARs of 99.95

• 89% of students achieved an ATAR of 95 or above

• 94% of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above

• 100% of students achieved an ATAR of 80 or above

In addition to the year 11 and 12 IB Diploma Programme, our St Leonard’s College Junior School offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), a curriculum framework expertly designed for children aged 3 to 12. The IB PYP focuses on international-mindedness and the development of strong personal values. It fosters academic, social and emotional growth and values independence, initiative and self-motivation, encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning.

To enquire about enrolment opportunities please email admissions@stleonards.vic.edu.au or visit stleonards.vic.edu.au to book a College tour. Scan the QR code to take a virtual tour of our exceptional facilities.

OUT OF TOWN / MANSFIELD

By LARISSA DUBECKI

Hitting the high country

Plenty of Melburnians will know Mansfield as a symbol of Victoria’s high country galvanised through popular culture such as the classic 1982 movie The Man from Snowy River.

The well-preserved Victorian-era township of around 3500 residents might look and feel like it’s a world away from the Melbourne CBD – and a few decades back in time, as well –but in reality, the drive to the northeast takes just a little over two and a half hours.

Reaching the lowlands of the high country is always restorative. Green farmland is buttressed by mountains, the clean waters of the Delatite, Goulburn and Howqua rivers flow through the area and the air feels clean enough to bite.

With the top of Mt Buller a 45-minute drive away, Mansfield is a hotbed of cold-weather action, and plenty of townspeople routinely make the trip throughout winter.

“The snow and the high country are big attractions,” says Missy Daly of Ray White Mansfield. “And the town itself is the right size – not too big and not too small.

“We have a couple of supermarkets, a Kmart and while it’s obviously not Melbourne there are some nice boutiques as well. There’s enough of everything but not too much.”

– seek their tree change. Acreages close to town are in hot demand and short supply, especially from professional families with schoolaged children seizing their workfrom-home moment.

The high country isn’t limited to Mansfield. Different towns in the region each sport their own flavour and offer varying degrees of getting

another classic Australian film, The Castle, think again.

“It’s busy,” says Dean Shipley of Mansfield Lifestyle Real Estate. “It’s absolutely packed during summer –it’s like going to Lorne.”

He’s finding buyers seeking a piece of high country quiet are now looking beyond the usual towns to tiny hamlets such as Jamieson, Woods Point and Kevington.

The area is booming as a summer and shoulder season destination, too, partly thanks to Mt Buller promoting its off-season activities such as mountain biking and hiking. House prices in Mansfield are up 23 per cent over the past year to a median of $600,000 as people from Melbourne – and a sizeable number from the Mornington Peninsula, too

away from the rat race to suit every city refugee.

Lake Eildon is only a short drive away, putting lakeside towns such as Bonnie Doon in the real estate catchment area.

But if you’re after the muchvaunted serenity highlighted in

“Houses in Woods Point used to be on the market for an average of two years before they sold, but within the past 12 months it’s 30 to 60 days,” he says. “People are looking for a holiday home that really lets them get away from it all – and the people selling those holiday homes are the ones making great money from it.”

ISTOCK

ALAMY

PAUL JEFFERS

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Mansfield

Mansfield and the high country region are within easy reach of Melbourne.

“The snow and the high country are big attractions.

And the town itself is the right size.” - MISSY DALY, AGENT

OUT OF TOWN / BIRREGURRA

By LARISSA DUBECKI

There are plenty of tyre-kickers hovering around Otways hinterland properties at the moment, and even if they’re not buying immediately their money is reaching the area – eventually.

“I see a lot of people inspecting rural properties around Birregurra,” says Ken McDonald of HF Richardson Property. “Then they decide the upkeep on a few acres is too much and they go and buy on the Great Ocean Road somewhere.

“It’s younger people, especially, who already owned property in those areas who’ve been seizing their opportunity to cash in on the equity in their homes and relocate to towns like Birregurra. So, in a way, you could say it’s Melbourne dollars driving the market, but they’re taking the scenic route.”

Just 15 minutes’ drive from the Surf Coast, Birregurra, population 828 at the last census, is an emblem of the rising fortunes of hinterland property.

Land of opportunity

Sales data is too small to report, but the local agents are witnessing firsthand the area’s rising fortunes.

Just over an hour and a half from Melbourne, it’s 45 minutes from the centre of Geelong – putting it in the “easy commute” basket – 19 minutes from Colac and 35 minutes from the beaches of Lorne.

So, what can you get for your money? McDonald had a sweet two-

for local farmers to rent out the excess land to agist livestock, creating an extra income stream.

Within the town, you might find a modernised home on 1000 square metres for about $700,000.

A Victorian country town from central casting, Birregurra boasts a wide, well-preserved main street with cafes, the acclaimed Yield restaurant and providore, bakers

menu and has single-handedly contributed to the area’s increasing number of Airbnbs thanks to the number of gastronomic tourists hitting town.

Birregurra isn’t the area’s only jewel. The town of Forrest has a similar gastronomic focus, and Winchelsea and Barongarook are also on the post-COVID radar.

Agent Michelle Winckle of Geelongbased Hayeswinckle Newtown says the Otways hinterland regional centre of Colac is trending among Melburnians looking further afield.

bedroom cottage on 42.5 hectares on the banks of the Barwon River going for in the range of $1.5 million to $1.6 million.

If you think all that land sounds like a hassle – “a lot of people just want to play with five to 10 acres [two to four hectares] and a pony, nothing more” – it’s not uncommon

Otway Artisan and the classic country pub the Royal Mail Hotel, which has recently been renovated by new owners. Over the road, you’ll find the zither specialist Running with Zithers.

A few kilometres out of town, Dan Hunter’s Brae restaurant has regularly made World’s Best Restaurants list with its “locavore”

“Anywhere that’s close to Colac is going strong at the moment,” she says. “There are a lot of retirees and a lot of people just looking to be close to the beach who don’t want to pay those prices. The market is going strong in all categories of buyer.”

COLIN PAGE

CHRISTOPHER

M c CONVILLE

MARNIE

HAWSON

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Birregurra

Birregurra is a small country town 15 minutes’ journey from the Surf Coast.

“A lot of people just want to play with five to 10 acres and a pony, nothing more.”

- KEN McDONALD, AGENT

Manhattan Style Luxury Apartment

Luxurious three-bedroom apartment (with study) commands a prime position in the stately Panorama building, with north and east-facing windows and balconies providing magnificent park and skyline vistas. No compromise on quality, with grand living and dining rooms; extraordinary master suite; polished timber parquetry flooring; and extensive bespoke timber cabinetry.

Opposite Carlton Gardens and within walking distance of the City, Vic Market, uni’s and some of Melbourne’s coolest streets (including Lygon, Brunswick, Gertrude, Smith & Johnston Streets).

OUT OF TOWN / QUEENSCLIFF

By LARISSA DUBECKI

A right royal renaissance

Plenty of things stopped in Queenscliff during the pandemic. The Queenscliff Music Festival was put on ice, the Swan Bay Express steam train (complete with Thomas the Tank Engine face) was kept in its shed, and the Blues Train, featuring dinner and a series of live music shows, was temporarily muted.

It gave time to reflect on this wellpreserved Victorian town on the Bellarine Peninsula that punches well above its weight when it comes to cultural celebrations and fun for all ages.

A Queenscliff renaissance is on the cards, however, with the town’s sleepy hollow status being changed by an influx of families looking to make it their permanent home.

“There is a significant number of people relocating down here, which makes a change from the retirees who used to dominate the permanent housing market,” says Charles

Caldwell of Fletchers Bellarine. “The larger homes are in huge demand at the moment. There’s a very limited supply of stock, so it is changing the market significantly.”

At one and a half hours’ drive from Melbourne, Queenscliff is firmly in the ring of desirability for a holiday home. At 30 minutes from Geelong, it’s also an easy commute to Victoria’s second city.

“Consistency is the key to survival if you’re a business, and it really has been hard in the past,” Caldwell says. “It’s going to be an interesting next five or 10 years.

Damian Cayzer of Kerleys Coastal Real Estate says he saw strong signs of growth just prior to COVID-19, with the 2019-20 summer the first in his memory that the shops on Hesse Street were all occupied.

protected, the humble weatherboard shacks have a surfeit of character and are in hot demand from Melbourne buyers looking for a boast-worthy, low-maintenance weekender.

The most expensive homes are on the high land. Gellibrand Street is the home of elaborate Victorian buildings with turrets and iron lacework trimmings, including the now-closed Queenscliff Hotel, which was once home to the late Mietta O’Donnell’s eponymous restaurant.

Caldwell believes the new influx of families will be good for the town, which previously used to suffer a winter slump that made it hard for businesses to survive.

Local schools, both in town and in Geelong, are nearing capacity, and a year-round lifestyle will banish the ghost town of winters past.

“That was the point I started thinking the town was really back, in a big way,” he says.

There’s plenty of history in Queenscliff. Take Fisherman’s Flat, the low-lying northern part of the town, which was developed in 1863 and housed a number of Chinese fishermen. Scrupulously heritage-

“New” Queenscliff is embodied by the marina, a redevelopment worth about $38 million that opened in 2010 with a 32-metre-high observation tower, restaurant 360Q and other cafes and boutiques.

But local institution MiShell’s keeps alive the old-school ethos of fresh seafood sold off a trawler.

your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Queenscliff

VISIT VICTORIA

Hover

Queenscliff, named to honour Queen Victoria, is a cultural gem.

“The larger homes are in huge demand at the moment.

There’s a very limited supply.” - CHARLES CALDWELL, AGENT

Indulging the senses high above the city lights of Melbourne, no expense or effort has been spared in the creation of this simply unrepeatable French inspired chateau. Set on approximately 2,400sqm, framed by its European façade and immersed within an exquisite established landscaped garden sanctuary, this immensely private residence is one of the �inest homes ever to be offered for sale in the Dandenong Ranges only 30 minutes drive from the south east suburbs of Melbourne. Buoyed by a privileged elevated position, the imposing timeless architecture is at home within its lavish perfumed gardens �illed with roses, camelias, gardenias, tulips, freesias, hyacinth, jasmine, Mexican orange blossoms, over 50 custom made

pots and several statues including 4 Seasons, Dali Alice in Wonderland and Dali the Surrealist Piano.

Recently transformed and extensively rebuilt throughout, lavish proportions include soaring ceilings to all levels, Italian porcelain �looring, imported staircases, divine wood paneling from French and Belgium Chateaus, thick marble surfaces and the latest high-end appliances. The extensive layout features two extravagant master suites complete with sumptuous ensuites, decadent living & dining rooms, a top �loor gold class theatre room for eight and, adding a further aristocratic feel, an inspired cigar room by Roberto Cavalli.

'Grandview Park' offers an excellent 90-acre rural lifestyle property, perfect for equestrian use, livestock, home office or development ( sub-divide into 3 or 4 lots STCA )

The recently renovated homestead offers indoor and outdoor living areas with magnificent views, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & separate guest accommodation.

A full range of improvements includes; stable complex, sand menage, indoor arena, and associated equine infrastructure, additional shedding, steel cattle yards & 55 tonne silo. 'Grandview Park' is subdivided into 15 paddocks with a central laneway and has town water connection along with tanks and dams.

Price

By Negotiation $2,500,000 View

By appointment with the agents Website albury.nutrienharcourts.com.au Agents

Billy Jones 0438 454 950 billy.jones@nh.com.au Brian Liston 0428 931 894 brian.liston@nh.com.au To enquire about these elegant properties, please contact Lisa Fowler - Mount Macedon Realty 0418 557 222 lisa@mtmr.com.au

PEPPERELL FARM: PRESTIGE MEETS PEACEFUL LUXURY

Marcus Chiminello - Marshall White 0411 411 271 marcus.chiminello@marshallwhite.com.au

This is a rare opportunity to secure a piece of Australian Gold mining history on the Stanley Plateau. "Bloomfield" an iconic property set in beautiful northeast Victoria adjacent to historic Beechworth offers a discerning buyer with the opportunity to owner-occupy or continue with a well-established short-term accommodation option whilst remaining in residence.

The charming and magnificent red brick home build by gold discoverer Joshua Bigelow has stood the test of time. It features a grand hallway entrance, welcoming parlour & formal dining room complete with French doors. They are accompanied by 4 large bedrooms with their own en-suites. The wide verandas are an intrinsic component of the home ensuring summer shade & protection during the cooler month. An Austrian hydronic system ensures this historic home remains comfortable during winter. A 4kw solar system supports power bills.

A free standing 1 bedroom dwelling was designed & built incorporating solar passive principles, with an executive & exclusive element. It features polished concrete floors with superb north facing bi-folding doors that open onto an exquisite outdoor dining entertaining area.

For the artist you have the choice of several outbuildings. A 6m x 8m potters' studio, with adjoining storage area, plus a new 6m x 8m insulated studio provides options. A 2 car brick garage includes a workshop area with a loft plus there are several sheds for garden equipment.

Closes Friday Feb 4th at 5pm By Appointment Only Contact Agent

GRAEME WILSON 0418 315 645

TONY STOCKDALE 0428 629 778 PORT PHILLIP 9525 4166