HUNTER HERITAGE AT ITS FINESTA once in a lifetime Hunter historic property with significant importance, distinction and heritage comes on the market. ?Englefield?, circa 1837 is an exceptional and rare Georgian residence built by one of the Hunter?s pioneer entrepreneurs - John Smith. Gentleman John Smith received one of the early 1818 grants from Governor Lachlan Macquarie allocated to eleven well behaved convicts. From Smith?s land grant at Wallis Plains (now Maitland) he went on to build a flour mill and purchase a sailing vessel for trade between Sydney and Maitland. He and his wife Mary had 7 children. His home, ?Englefield?, styled in the Irish farmhouse design, has been carefully conserved and fastidiously restored by the previous owner, a master cabinet maker who over his tenure painstakingly restored all the cedar doors, window panes and staircases to new condition. Five years ago the current owners literally fell in love at first sight with the residence taken by the architectural grandeur of the Georgian period. ?It had such a welcoming, warm feeling of a family atmosphere,? said the owner. During their ownership the owners have furnished the home in collectable antiques, repainted complimentary colours to the walls of the living rooms and added a decor which compliments the interior. A white timber dine-in kitchen was built, appointed with a stainless stove with 6 burners and a chargrill hotplate sympathetically styled to blend with the era of the house. The new kitchen adjoins the original sandstone floored kitchen and scullery, which is still intact with working cast iron bread oven, open fire and cooking implements. A real step back in time. The flagged floor scullery includes secondary bathroom facilities. The residence is impressive with cedar panelling, eight working fireplaces with cedar mantle pieces, formal dining and drawing rooms and library.There as four main bedrooms plus maid?s quarters above the kitchen and two attic dormitory style rooms. The main bathroom is upstairs styled with black and white tiles, traditional bath and a glistening chandelier. The large underground sandstone blocked cellar has access from an exterior trapdoor and was once used to house the shackled convicts at night who worked on the property.A more recently built 6 x 12m workshop, designed to blend with the architecture of the residence, offers ample lock up garaging. There is extensive off street parking at the side of the house with a garden of heirloom roses, a mini orchard and vegetable plot. Majestic jacaranda trees, as old as the home itself, will be resplendent when in season as will be the hedging of blue plumbago around the garden edge. On the other side of the home is a courtyard formed by a high South African Olive tree hedge with formed flower beds and plantings of classic roses. This area is accessed from the kitchen leading out from a covered verandah with sandstone floor. Every room tells a tale of a bygone era and echoes nostalgia. The owners have an interstate work relocation and reluctantly have listed the property for sale. ?It has been a wonderful place for our family, grandchildren and friends to visit and enjoy the home as it is meant. Living in homes such as ?Englefield? is a privilege and honour,? the owner said. The property?s grounds include 4 titles totalling 2,220 sqm. Inspect: By AppointmentFor further details contact Rhonda Nyquist 0419 341 999.
