Fall in love with the romance of a 100-year-old homestead without having to forgo the comforts of modern living in this fully renovated home at Bolwarra.
Cleverly redesigned to accommodate the practicalities of family living while still giving a stylistic nod to its historic roots, this four-bedroom weatherboard and iron home seamlessly combines rustic country charm with luxury fittings and fixtures.
Set on 27 acres of farmland in the heart of Bolwarra, the property, known as Austerley, is located halfway down a hill - and a world away from the sights and sounds of suburban living.
Access is via a long, winding driveway off Paterson Road, which brings you past twin concrete silos and a large machinery shed before the view opens up to reveal the picturesque homestead and panorama of surrounding farmland beyond.
Established lilly pilly hedges provide a shield between the house and the driveway, enhancing the sense of seclusion and privacy you feel when you drive down into this property.
A concrete path lined with murrayas leads from the circular driveway to the striking fuchsia front door, taking you past the first of several versatile outdoor entertaining areas incorporated into the redesigned layout of this home.
The entry opens directly onto the expansive kitchen / dining / living space, located around an oversized island bench and breakfast bar.
Measuring 2.0m x 1.6m and with a 90mm thick benchtop finished with a gorgeous Brazilian granite, the island bench works as both a stunning centrepiece for the room and a practical addition to the kitchen, with a breakfast bar on two sides and ample storage space on the others.
A dark grey composite stone benchtop with white cabinetry beneath and overhead cupboards form an L-shape on the side and back wall of the kitchen, with a pressed metal splashback adding a touch of glitz and glamour to the space.
A deep butlers pantry with built-in shelving and cabinetry and two separate composite stone benches provides added storage to keep the clutter out of the kitchen, as well as the ideal place to complete your meal preparations.
Built-in storage was a key consideration when the current owners redesigned the internal layout of the homestead, from the wall of linen cupboards in the hallway of the bedroom wing, to the bespoke storage lockers installed in the laundry to providing a dedicated space for school bags, shoes and hats.
Redesigning the layout was a labour of love for the current owners, who were passionate about creating a practical, family home while keeping many of the original features of the 1917-built homestead.
The home was essentially gutted internally and rebuilt within the existing footprint, with many of the original materials including all the timber French doors and sash windows reused within the modified layout.
The smallest of details were meticulously planned to pay homage to the history of the property, with the original cornices and skirting boards replicated throughout the home and the varying floor levels and rooflines retained.
Recycled timbers were extensively used during the construction of the new internal spaces to add a rustic sense of toughness and solidity to the design, with the island bench cabinetry and large feature beam running the length of the open kitchen / dining space the most notable examples.
Bamboo timber flooring continues this theme through most rooms in the house, while quality woollen carpet creates an impression of warmth and comfort in the sleeping quarters.
The reconfigured layout has been designed to create open, connected living areas, while also providing smaller spaces that can be closed off into separate zones for different members of the family.
The kitchen / dining area flows through to a raised living room at the eastern end of the house, which features a large antler pendant light, combustion fireplace and a seven-panel bi-fold door that occupies the rear wall of the room, offering panoramic rural views and the opportunity to completely open up this space to the rear decked verandah.
Additional entertaining areas have been created along this timber verandah, ensuring there is an outdoor space for every season and ample opportunities to take in the rich tapestry of colours created by the ever-changing farmland vista stretching as far as the eye can see towards East Maitland.
More intimate living / entertaining areas can be found inside the home adjacent to the kitchen / dining room, with a small childrens retreat or study and a dedicated media room providing separate spaces for different members of the family to relax.
Four generously-proportioned bedrooms are located at the western end of the house, with each featuring built-in wardrobes, ceiling fans and large windows revealing views of the surrounding rural landscape.
The over-sized master suite faces north towards the front of the property and features a large bay window, which lets in plenty of natural light. However the property also comes with development application approval to extend the house to the west and construct a grand new master bedroom.
The adjoining ensuite is filled with luxury details, from the floor-to-ceiling tiles to the twin vanities and wall-hung cabinetry, while bronze mosaic-style feature tiles in the walk-in shower adds a touch of glamour to the space.
The nearby main bathroom has also been meticulously styled with quality fittings and fixtures, including a large freestanding bath as well as a walk-in shower cavity featuring a quirky feature tile designed to add a sense of whimsy for the younger members of the family.
Feature colours have been used throughout the bedroom wing to add character to the more personal spaces, while a neutral palette has been applied to the living areas to allow the focus to remain on the timber elements and picturesque views showcased by an abundance of doors and sash windows.
Of course the external appeal of the property extends far beyond its spectacular location, with 27 acres of farmland providing a range of options for the owner. There are five fenced paddocks, including three smaller holding yards and two large paddocks at the rear of the property, which are currently being used to agist both stock and horses and can be accessed via a laneway system. There is also a chicken coop, steel and timber stockyards and a large concrete-lined machinery shed.
A converted dairy provides the potential for additional accommodation to be created on the property, while a fire pit, fenced in-ground salt-water pool, landscaped gardens featuring hundreds of established trees and bushes and a childrens cubby house ensure there are outdoor pursuits for every member of the family to enjoy.
The house is serviced by a septic system and is connected to natural gas, underground electricity and town water, while a dam at the rear of the allotment, which has been plumbed to the houses guttering, ensures the property is virtually drought-proof.
SMS 163aPat to 0428 166 755 for a link to the on-line property brochure.
