31 McGowan Avenue, Preston VIC 3072

This bright, beautiful, and lovingly restored two-bedroom plus study home has a focus on sustainable living within walking distance of schools, northside markets, parks, and transport.

Opening into a welcoming living area with polished floorboards and overlooking greenery outside every window, a newly installed gas log fireplace warms the whole area. A sparkling retro kitchen with stainless steel appliances marries the home's vintage soul with modern style, while two spacious bedrooms (master with mirror built-in robes) are comfortably serviced by a bright central bathroom with an updated vanity.

Enjoy breakfast with the birds or alfresco dinners in the open-air outdoor entertaining area shaded by producing grape vines. Fruit trees and garden beds have been lovingly tended in the impressive-sized backyard, including established vegetable gardens, a thoughtfully designed chicken coop, composting area, and a spacious shed complete with a shed-top garden.

A stylish and loving restoration and fit-out by award-winning architects saw the house featured in 'Sanctuary magazine in 2010, highlighting the home's natural features and its development into a humble sustainability gem. Since then, it has been fitted with a Fronius solar panel system capable of meeting household energy needs, complementing the large water tank and greywater capture system, ensuring a low environmental impact and decreased operating costs. All while staying close to the community and cultural gems of Preston and Coburg.

Dressed with polished timber floorboards throughout, the cozy but well-planned layout features a bright sunroom/home office with a garden outlook, original stained timberwork, classic wall picture rails, high ceilings, built-in bookshelves, renovated laundry, basement storage area/cellar, and side laneway access.

In a quiet and very welcoming street, there's a bike storage area if you want to minimize driving, given the walking and riding distance from local schools, childcare, the Merri Creek Trail, Coburg Lake, Gilbert Road trams, Preston market, and Regent Village shops.

A must-see home for couples or small families with a love of old-world charm and a focus on a sustainable future.