Ahead of its time
The Age
Saturday June 20, 2009
An '80s feel with modern appeal, writes Lou Sweeney. CAULFIELD NORTH 7 Carinya Crescent $1.7 million-plus Auction 2pm, Sunday, June 28 Agent Marshall White, 9822 9999 Melway 58 K10HERE is a house so well conceived and so stylishly realised that even its one or two glaring 1980s style clangers are fondly forgiven and easily forgotten.There is something so languid, yet gloriously solid about this design. It's the kind of house that puts ideas into the heads of would-be renovators wanting to replicate its airy brilliance.Boxy 1980s design suits contemporary living but only if it has been done with an almost prescient understanding of how we'd worship the correct orientation in the new millennium. This home does that in spades.From the entry foyer, a large column splits the home and directs traffic left or right.To the left and projecting back is a cleverly sited powder room that acts as a semi en suite for the gorgeous bedroom adjacent. In here, picture windows offer verdant views, particularly over the courtyard on the east wall.A central living area is surrounded by windows that draw northern light and a rangy marble bar provides a focal point for the pre-dinner drinks.Further along, the dining area completes this luminous zone with effortless composure.To the right of that entry column the house looks into the front garden and provides the main bedroom with a fine leafy aspect. It offers abundant storage as well as a dressing room and a very generous en suite, where you'll find that very 1980s idea of popping the toilet and bidet behind a frosted door a la the shower. The laminate surrounding the twin basins looks its age too; not in wear but colour and style.A hallway heads to the back of this side and passes another bedroom and laundry before it arrives at the open-plan kitchen and informal living space.Although the dimensions and light are uniformly excellent, the fit-out again aqua-green cabinets and a fair swathe of clattery tiling have done their job and look a little tired. These are minor quibbles for such a smart, broad and flexible space.You only have to look to the north again and all is forgiven. A beautiful private courtyard boasts a spa and acres of al fresco entertainment space.Beyond the kitchen and living area, another bedroom brings up the rear and leads across the double garage to a nifty sauna and bathroom. Outside and around the corner there is a separate street frontage.The sublime design superior zoning, light, access and airiness means it's only the laminate that needs work, everything else is simply brilliant.
© 2009 The Age
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