Pullenvale, Brisbane: French Provincial Style

Pullenvale is where you can live in the country but still be in the city.  These are big acreage estates just 15 km from Brisbane city.  They are also home to McMansions.  Not the new modern McMansions built to take up every square inch of a 400 square meter block.  These are 'old style' McMansions - big, expansive character houses.  

This is the place for hobby farms and horse riding.  But be prepared to spend big - the median property price is almost a million dollars.  

This house, according to the agent, is in the French Provincial Style, which sounds very exotic (and expensive!).  The house sold for $3.985 million in September 2011.  

The listing doesn't give any indication of the age of the property.  What is interesting is that the 'house' is split up into three buildings - the main house, the pool house and a guest house.  While an intercom connects all three, I would find it cumbersome to have to wander down to the pool house to watch a movie in my media room.  Fast forward to when you have older children when it would be a great place for them to have their own privacy.  

So let's look a little deeper.  

Exterior

The exterior of the house shows a very handsome looking house with gorgeous stone work and a very simple, uncluttered and clean facade.  This property is 10 acres, which means that there is space, glorious space!

The photo below shows the three car garage to the right.  According to the floor plan, there is a covered walkway to get from the garage into the house.

This can also be seen in the next photo.  The garage and the undercover walk way are to the left of the photograph.  This photo also highlights the tiered garden beyond the pool.

As you can see in the next photo, the tiered garden leads to the paddock fencing.  Beyond this fencing is a dense bushland paddock that extends to the boundary of the property.  The tennis court is also visible in this photo.

The terrace of the main house and the pool house are visible in the next photo.  I love the outdoor fire place on the terrace.  Wouldn't it be amazing to sit by the fire on a cold (well Brisbane cold hahaha) winter night enjoying a glass of wine and, to keep with the theme, a platter of french cheeses.

There aren't many interior photos of the main house - but it looks like there are three fireplaces (including the outdoor fireplace on the terrace).  

Entry Way

This entryway is like coming home.  It is so simple, yet so beautiful.  I love the double wooden doors and the stone floors.

Open Plan Living, Dining and Kitchen

This is the only photograph of the open plan living, dining and kitchen.  There is an internal fireplace and vaulted ceilings with stunning wooden beams.

Formal Lounge

The lounge is very formal with another internal fireplace.  The colour of the walls is very bold and bright and I think that the lounge suite compliments the colour scheme.

Bathroom

The bathroom, while it is large, it needs a refurbishment.

Terrace

Pool House

Floor Plan

What the agent said


457 Grandview Road Pullenvale

European Inspired Acreage Homestead

Be amazed and in awe of this charming French provincial homestead which is authentic in every detail yet modern in all the right places. Offering all the elegance and character of a country estate, this exceptional property combines 19th Century charm, with contemporary facilities that boast unrivalled comfort. Set over three well thought out dwellings plus a separate guest house you will fall in love with this scenic, elevated, all useable 10 acre oasis in prestigious Pullenvale.

 This home has four separate areas that are all very private, yet very open and accessible to the whole family. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms, all members of the family will have their own personal space. The property is further complemented with recycled timber beams, sandstone features, solid rendered construction which gives this residence a feeling of warmth in winter, while providing a cool and casual feeling during those warm summer days. Tennis court, pool and horse paddocks with night yards are just some of the amenities on offer.

 Features Include:
* 5 Impressive bedrooms + Large home office
* 5 bathrooms including 4 ensuites
* Master suite offers walk through robe/dressing room, ensuite and your own private fireplace with views over the pool and bushland
* 3 Spacious/separate living areas featuring 12/15ft ceilings, fireplaces and access out to the entertainment wing of the property
* Spacious kitchen with walk in pantry and separate preparation room
* Spacious covered entertainment area flowing directly off the two living areas, over looking the pool, tennis court and private bushland setting.
* Intercom between the three separate dwellings
* Ducted air conditioning throughout
* Stunning combination of solid rendered constriction mixed with recycled timber beams and sandstone features
* 3 Car lock up garage with an abundance of space, storage and self contained guest quarters above featuring 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen and living area
* Large 8x12 shed with double roller doors and high ceilings, perfect for more car accommodation, machinery or your personal toys
* A fully equipped pool house which acts as the entertainment hub to the residence. Offering a spacious open plan entertainment area that connects the pool and tennis court areas together through large bi-fold doors. Your own private cinema, kitchen, bathroom and sandstone bar.
* Flood lit tennis court with a perfect North/South aspect
* Fully fenced horse paddock with night yards, large storage/feed shed, power, water and a concrete driveway
* Bore and water license which irrigates the entire property and grounds
* A self contained guest cottage is positioned at the front of the property featuring 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, polished timber floors, a/c and a large north facing deck

 This really is a rare opportunity to own one of Brisbanes finest properties set on a usable 10 acre bushland hideaway. The character, privacy and quality processed can only be described as spectacular and exquisite.

West Leederville, Perth: A Stunning Federation Home

Perth, in Western Australia, has a mixture of old and new.  There are modern, beachside houses with massive expanses of glass that overlook the glorious ocean sunsets.  There are also the Federation homes - homes that are built between 1890 and 1915.

This home, in West Leederville, Perth was built around 1905 and has been beautifully restored.

Exterior - Front of House

The wrought iron gate offers a glimpse into the courtyard of this grand old property.  The red brick and white columns are beautifully complimented by the simple, manicured garden which provides splashes of rich green foliage.

The stone work and paving look tired and could do with a refurbishment to bring them up to par with the striking external brickwork.  

Verandah

Verandah

Verandah

Entry Way

Entry Way

Formal Lounge

The formal lounge is very traditional and, to be honest, a little too stuffy feeling for my liking.  But I do appreciate the exquisite ceiling rose and the ornate fireplace.

Formal Lounge

Open Plan Kitchen, Family and Dining Room

These rooms are gorgeous - the ornate ceiling is spectacular.

Open Plan Kitchen and Family Room

Family Room

While I like this kitchen, the bench tops (marble?) seem too modern for this house.  I'm not sure what would have been better - maybe a wooden butcher block bench top instead?  I also would have extended the cupboards to go right to the ceiling - leaving them as built in shelves to display the plates etc (if that's what the owner really wanted to do).

Kitchen

Kitchen and Dining Room

Dining Room and Kitchen

Dining Room

Bedrooms

Bedroom 2

The master bedroom is a curious set up.  To get to the ensuite, you must walk through the study.

Master Bedroom

Study

The corner bath is dated but I can forgive that simply because of those windows.

Master Ensuite

I'm in love with the bedspread .

Bedroom 4

Bathroom

Exterior - Back

The high ceilings, the chandelier and the french doors are making me swoon.  The pavers need a refresh though.

Covered Alfresco

Pool Area and Covered Alfresco

Pool

External (Laundry to the left and Studio to the right)

Floor Plan

What the Real Estate Agent Said

On a coveted elevated corner position of 721sqm, and spread over two lots is this exceptional four bedroom, two bathroom Federation home (c1905) that blends beautifully the delightful features of yesteryear together with magical gardens and contemporary beauty.

Exuding a superb sense of warmth and charm throughout with exquisite detailing, leadlight, jarrah floors, high ceilings and classic open fireplaces all setting an elegant tone. For the grand entertainer there is the magnificent formal lounge room with bay window and the gracious dining area. The open plan gourmet kitchen has been expertly fitted out with Miele appliances and Qasair rangehood, built-in fridge and freezer and black granite benchtops. The adjoining delightful family room enjoys a gorgeous outdoor vista and offers supreme family comfort for informal living.

There are four good sized bedrooms including the sumptuous master with spa ensuite, WIR and study/dressing room and a family sized bathroom.

French doors open out to the idyllic alfresco setting with extensive paved entertaining terrace, private pool with water fountain and an external studio that could be converted to a granny flat or teenager retreat.

This superbly maintained and presented property also features an alarm system, ducted air-conditioning, 3 WCs, elegant rose gardens, bull nose wrap-around veranda, remote double carport off Woolwich Street and additional secure car parking off Kimberley St. In a prized position thats just a stroll from parks, Lake Monger, Cambridge Street Shops and Oxford Street cafe strip

Modern Beauty in St Lucia - $1.695M

This house in St Lucia, Brisbane is about as far away from today's other St Lucia home (which was a Queenslander-style home).

No, this home is bold, modern and very sophisticated.  It is built on a small block (550m2) and the house takes up the majority of the footprint - leaving only a very small patch of grass.  So small that I wouldn't spend the money on a petrol lawnmower - instead I'd buy the hand held push type and get in some exercise at the same time!

Timber, glass and and open spaces feature heavily.  It certainly feels like the home owner wanted to add a sense of openness in a small space.  They have achieved this by removing walls (the upper level where the Master Suite is located has a very open feel) and by adding space in the ceiling height and using void spaces very well.

The house spans over three levels - let's go through them.

Lower Level

The lower level has the pool and outdoor area (kabana and outdoor shower); living, dining, kitchen and media room.  It also has a small  wine cellar and powder room.

This is what the real estate listing says about the lower level:

The open-plan kitchen/ dining/ living area is a masterpiece, maximising the home's natural magnetism for light and breeze and opens onto a remarkable alfresco area. You will find yourself enjoying cooking in this chef's gourmet-designed kitchen. With a huge walk in pantry, expansive stone bench tops, soft closing cupboards & drawers and an eight burner cooktop, it is the ideal kitchen for entertaining guests or conjuring up a simple feast. The open living area flows to the alfresco area that overlooks the infinity edged swimming pool perfectly located between the alfresco area and cabana creating the perfect environment for entertaining. A media room, powder room and wine cellar complete this level. 

Sounds amazing, right?  Tell me, is Kabana spelt with a c or a k?

Here are the photos, starting with outdoors.....

Kabana and Pool (Lower Level)

The pool is entered via the patio - you can see the glass frame fence and the stairs in the pool.

Pool and Patio (Lower Level)

Just off the patio is the living room.  I love the openness with the bifold doors that open straight out onto the patio and pool.  The owners have also put up some privacy screens on the fence to block the view of the next door neighbour straight into the living area.

What really works for me in here is the use of the louvered windows and the bifold doors.

Living and Patio (Lower Level)

On the floor plans, there is a 'library' shown.  I think calling it a library is a bit of a stretch and probably a bit snobby because the library is in the photo below - on the other side of the tv unit.  It's probably more of a bookshelf because there doesn't seem to be enough space to even pull a chair in there.

The photo below shows how you can make the floor plan very open - by opening up the wall to the study which is located on the middle level.  To the right of the study is bedroom 2 - with bifold windows that can also be opened right up.

Even the staircase has been given the open treatment with the use of the timber slats.

Living and Kitchen (Lower Level)

The kitchen boasts stone bench tops, the ridiculously expensive tap fittings and an eight burner stove. The letdown in this room is the light fitting.  It looks like a stock-standard fluorescent light.  I would have preferred more industrial-like pendant light fittings.

Kitchen with bifold doors, walk in pantry, and a day bed.  The room beyond the kitchen is the Media Room (Lower Level)

In the Dining Room, the bifold doors that open up into an internal courtyard.

Dining Room with Internal Courtyard (Lower Level)

At the back of the house, on the lower level, is the media room with a very trendy, very industrial feature light.

Media Room (Lower Level)

Middle Level

The middle level includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, the study and a laundry room.

The real estate listing says this:

Three of the four spacious bedrooms are found on the middle level of the home, all with built in robes and one having an ensuite. A large home office with built in work stations and a wall of built in storage is located on a mezzanine level overlooking the downstairs living area. 

Here are the photos, starting with the study.  It is a very functional room with a pretty basic desk arrangement.

Study (Middle Level)

Bedroom 2 overlooks the kitchen / dining / living room.

Bedroom 2 (Middle Level)

Bedroom 3 is at the back of the house.  The block is a sloping block, so this bedroom (and bedroom 4) has a nice garden outlook.

Bedroom 3 (Middle Level)

The main bathroom is floor to ceiling tile with a bath and a walk-in shower.

Bathroom (Middle Level)

Upper Level

The upper level is dedicated completely to the parents - with a master bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe and a sitting area.

Here is what the real estate listing says:

A spectacular parent's retreat is found on the top level and includes an enviable dressing room with floor to ceiling cupboards, drawers and hanging space along with a jewellery display cabinet any girl would be proud to call her own. The luxurious ensuite is spread over two separate rooms. One located off the dressing room featuring a rainfall shower with side jets & sprayer, separate toilet, floor to ceiling travertine tiles and double vanities. The other being the pinnacle of “bathrooms” with a huge circular bath positioned in the middle of the room taking full advantage of the tranquil outlook of Ironside Park. 

Master Bedroom (Upper Level)

Master Bedroom (Upper Level)

The master bathroom features the same tile as the bathroom on the middle level.  The shower includes a rain shower and is completely glass free (the cleaner in me loves this part).

Master Bathroom (Upper Level)

Floor Plan

Floor Plan