Connect with nature and pay homage to history with this picture perfect homestead, custom designed to offer contemporary living wrapped in a timeless country facade.
A historic property with a rich colonial history, its original residence was built in the mid 1800s and known as Rumpus Cottage. Used as a holiday home by the owners of Dunmore House, it was later renamed Philmore House after the English boarding school attended by one of the owners daughters.
A travelling stock route once ran though the rear corner of the Mindaribba property, close to the nearby banks of the Paterson River, while long ago a police station and court house stood nearby, housing convicts who were sent across the river to cut cedar.
The current owners purchased the 11 acre property in 2000 with the intention of knocking down the old cottage, which by that stage had fallen into a state of disrepair.
But a desire to acknowledge the heritage of the land saw a number of elements from the original cottage incorporated into the design of the new home, which was built in 2002.
Decorative cast iron posts from the verandah of the former cottage now stand beside rendered brick columns holding up the wisteria-laden arbour, which lends a touch of romance and a heady fragrance to the approach to the house.
Additional iron posts have been reused for the front verandah of the homestead, while a new leadlight elements contrast beautifully against the stunning Spanish tiles, which have been recently laid to great effect over the verandah floor.
The recycled materials continue inside, with rich timber floorboards running from the front door down the hallway and through to the family room, where sandstock bricks from the old home create a beautiful variance in tone on the cavity feature wall.
New features sympathetic to the era have been used throughout the house, from the decorative cornices, architraves and skirting boards, to the acanthus leaf bas-relief feature tiles in the ensuite and the antique-look chandelier and wall lights hanging in the hall.
The decor successfully melds vintage style with country classics and more contemporary inclusions to create a lovely blend of old meets new.
The layout of the home was custom designed to meet the needs of a modern family lifestyle, with multiple living spaces and a good separation between the master suite and two other bedrooms.
The bedrooms are all oversized, with space to create a quiet sitting area or study in each while still having room for a queen-sized bed.
Ample storage was a key consideration in the design process, with bedroom two containing a double-door built-in wardrobe and custom designed study nook with desk space and shelving, while bedroom three features a massive triple-door wardrobe. The master bedroom steps things up a notch with both an enormous four-door built-in wardrobe in the main part of the room, and a double-sided walk-in wardrobe that you pass through to access the ensuite.
Luxury inclusions have been added to this space, with a large bath and separate shower, oversized vanity and glossy tiles mid-way up the walls, while the main bathroom located next to the other two bedrooms is a practical space with a hint of country styling in the forest green floor tiles, timber vanity cabinetry and glass brick wall of the shower.
Versatile living spaces run the length of the home at the rear, separated by a large, central kitchen.
The formal living and dining room has a spacious open plan layout with glass French doors leading to the rear verandah and beyond to the pool, while internal timber French doors enable you to separate this space from the adjoining kitchen.
A country homestead wouldnt be complete without the comforting heat of a wood-burning fireplace and this home is no exception, with a tiled marble hearth adding a sense of luxury as you settle down in front of the fire for a cosy night in.
The second living area is another large, versatile space filled with natural light, which pours in through the wall of windows and doors that draw the eye outwards towards the scenery beyond.
The room provides direct access to the rear covered verandah, with views of a magnificent Chinese elm tree that provides a fabulous spot to sit and relax in the shade during summer.
Centrally located between the two living areas, the kitchen is a well-designed space with plenty of storage and a servery window the opens through to the verandah to make entertaining even easier.
Rather than feature the heavy oak cabinetry often seen in country kitchens, this space includes beech-coloured laminate that helps give the space a more contemporary style.
Stainless steel appliances and a sleek stainless steel splashback add to the modern feel, while a wall-mounted fan ensures the cook never feels the heat in the kitchen.
An ideal home for entertaining, it features extensive alfresco areas including a large pitched-roof outdoor space extending out from the wall of the kitchen, as well as an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and a large paved area ideal for dining under the stars.
Extensive paving surrounding the 7.5m x 3m in-ground saltwater pool provides additional entertaining options in an area sure to be a hit with both family and friends during summer.
A water feature and established tropical gardens given the pool area a resort-style feel, while panoramic views over the surrounding farmlands and distant glimpses of the Paterson River make it the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy the tranquillity.
For those looking to get more involved in the country life, this property would be the ideal location for a hobby farm.
It has been fenced into three separate paddocks, including a heavily timbered four acre front paddock that provides a sound barrier from the main road and a windbreak from the westerlies, and a rear paddock measuring around five acres, which has been cleared to shade trees and would be ideal for livestock.
Two chicken coops allow additional opportunities for farm-related activities, while a large fenced vegetable patch in the home paddock and a flourishing fruit tree orchard will provide a bountiful seasonal harvest.
The home paddock has been extensively landscaped with established trees including oak, weeping mulberry and liquid ambers, manicured murraya and lilly pilly hedges and abundant cottage gardens, as well as more than 40 flourishing rose bushes.
With a 41,000L rainwater tank storage capacity and a sizable licence to pump water from the river the property is virtually drought proof, with irrigation to the vegetable garden and several livestock troughs.
The property contains extensive shedding for machinery and vehicles, including a double garage attached to the house, a rustic shed built with bricks from the original house and a large double brick veneer and Colorbond garage with carport, which was used for accommodation while the main house was being built and features an additional cold water shower and toilet.
Feeling a world away from the hustle and bustle of town while in reality being just 10 minutes from the Maitland CBD, this property combines a classic country lifestyle with contemporary living spaces and the conveniences of large urban centres within close proximity.
SMS 27Lemon to 0428 166 755 for a link to the on-line property brochure.
