#soldbyholly $1,810,000
Offering a variety of charismatic spaces both inside and out, lang.home has been lovingly considered and updated, while still retaining the tug of yesteryear. Culturally significant, rich in atmosphere, surrounded by fellow Tocumwal's, this gorgeous three-bedroom home, rests on a quiet avenue, at the base of Mt Ainslie and on the crescent of Bill Pye Park. Playful and light filled with strokes of whimsy, splashes of colour, the house opens to beautifully planted rear garden and fully self-contained apartment.
Affectionately known as "the Tocumwal's", these iconic homes are steeped in history and intrigue. Originally designed to disguise the armed forces, the classic weatherboard and fibro forms, with quaint pitched roofs and wide veranda's, first re-settled in Canberra in the 1940's. "The Tocumwal Archive" is held by the National Library and holds a wonderful collection of oral stories, images, memories.
A magnificent Nicholii gum tree stands sentinel and deep porch, artfully stacked with firewood, shelters and shades. This is a lovely nook for an evening g&t, waving to the locals, who often meander past, dogs in tow.
Characterful period details - high ceilings, picture rails, pull cords and original hardware - are beautifully preserved, uniting the past and the present, while rich wooden floors flow underfoot. Touches of welcoming burgundy and red create depth, while the use of hoop pine ply introduces a modern lightness.
There are so many layers to this home -
A large living, dining with warm, central fireplace opens to private deck, enveloped in textural waves of meditative grasses.
A wall of windows floods the kitchen with northerly light, framing lush lawn and vintage Chinese Elm tree. Wonderful red and white checked flooring, reed glass display cabinets and floating island, gift the space with celebratory delight.
Three peaceful bedrooms, all with garden views and ample built-in-storage are amenable to a family bathroom with European style laundry. Both modern bathrooms include vibrant, Laminex counter tops, terrifically named "energy stream" and feature semi-frameless showers and coloured glass walls.
Full height glazing floats the extension within the garden space. Fully self-contained and equipped with bathroom and kitchen, this luxurious arena lends itself to a variety of uses - parent's retreat, teenage or granny flat, studio, Airbnb.
Delight in the kids climbing the branches of the backyard elm, collect eggs and harvest vegetables, sip coffee in the sunny kitchen, nature bathe within the nearby reserve or simply curl by the fire with a good book, enjoying the peace of this idyllic, inner-city hideaway.
FEATURES:
.spectacularly renovated Tocumwal cottage with new studio and bathroom alterations in 2011
.Karina Harris Hobbs landscaped gardens featuring Japanese maples, Chinese elms and central pond
.studio with bathroom and kitchenette (32.4m2), designed by Ric Butt
.125m2 main house comprising three bedrooms and bathroom all with garden views and north aspect to the rear of the home
.main home features 9ft ceilings, locally recycled timber doors and original rewired pull cord lighting
.recently painted and new pure wool carpet installed
.front living/dining area central around modern wood-fired heater (installed 2017), timber flooring and access to side private garden
.kitchen with preserved checkerboard flooring, surrounding garden views, breakfast bar, fully-integrated dishwasher, extension mixer tap, four-burner gas stove and oven, feature glass cabinetry and abundant storage
.informal dining area off kitchen, with back garden views and gas bayonet
.master bedroom with sliding doors out to landscaped gardens and built-in wardrobes
.additional two bedrooms (both with built-in wardrobes)
.main bathroom with wonderful storage and built-in European laundry
.linen storage
.studio with automatic windows and blinds, hoop pine ceiling, built-in triple wardrobe, ensuite and kitchenette
.honeycomb blinds
.ducted gas heating
.two continuous gas hot water systems
.wood-fired heater
.5.45kWh solar panels with rare 8-year 50c p/kwH Gross Feed-In Tariff
.double glazed windows throughout
.VDSL2 internet
.protected Eucalyptus in front yard
.newly re-done decking
.automatic irrigation system
.automatic grey water system
.three water tanks (10,000L total)
.two garden sheds and compost facilities
.chicken pen and established veggie patches
FINE DETAILS (all approximate):
Land size: 807 m2
Build size: 125 m2 (approx.) plus studio
EER: 6
Zoning: RZ1
Build year: 1947
Last renovated: 2011
Rates: $5,387.28 pa
Land tax: $9,419 pa (investors only)
UV: $1,191,000 (2022)
A much sought after, tranquil village, Ainslie is known for its wide leafy streets, heritage homes, and central locale which connects you to a mix of eating and dining experiences. Walking distance to parks, local schools, and Mount Ainslie Reserve, the home is also close to transport, parks and the dynamic Braddon and Dickson Precincts. It is a mere 8 minutes to the CBD and the ANU.