Newtown character home's luxe transformation unveiled

News.com.au

2 days ago

After decades of sitting untouched, this Newtown character home was well and truly overdue for a refresh when the vendors snapped it up almost five years ago.
It was straight out with the 1950s kitchen and wallpaper and in with a contemporary rear extension housing new living spaces and a swimming pool set among lush, landscaped gardens.
The top-to-bottom renovation works with the fall of the block in tree-lined Austin St, so the addition steps down from the original section of the home.
As a result, it's well hidden from view behind a charming original weatherboard facade that remains largely unchanged.
'It's really understated from the street, which is what I love about it,' Whitford, Newtown agent Jon Moran says.
'People think it's maybe not that big a home, but it's actually a really good sized family home and the buyers that have been through it have been quite surprised by the size of it.'
He says the five-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is essentially a new home that offers a beautiful blend of old and new.
All the heritage signatures are still there in the bedrooms and front formal lounge (or potential fifth bedroom), from high ceilings and skirts to picture rails and open fireplaces.
Built-in wardrobes have been added, including a his and her set in the spacious main bedroom, along with a modern ensuite, family bathroom and powder room.
But it's the back half of the house that really steals the show.
Firstly, it challenges preconceived ideas about south-facing rooms being dark, though a clever courtyard to the north and high wall of glazing that rises up to meet a raked timber-lined ceiling that mirrors the finish of those found in the original rooms.
The large sliding doors topped with extra windows bathe the open-plan hub in natural light and connect it to the pool, lawn, a paved entertainment area and a built-in barbecue.
'It has really good back yard with the pool and the entertainment area. Obviously you can keep tabs on the kids while you're in the kitchen which is a big one of the younger families,' Mr Moran says. 'It's a really well thought out floorplan.'
A designer kitchen, featuring stone benchtop, a butler's pantry with a second sink and family-sized oven, is the centrepiece of the dining and living area.
It adjoins a sunroom, or flexible additional multipurpose room, with its own sliding doors onto the patio and internal access to the property's garage.
The extension also incorporates a study, cellar, and a second powder room off the laundry with handy external access when entertaining outside.
The 665sq m property is close to Pakington St's river end, as well as a choice of primary and secondary schools and the Barwon River.
Whitford, Newtown agent John Moran is handling the sale of 17 Austin St, Newtown.
Price hopes are $2.45m to $2.65m.