Character and elegance in Seatoun

TENDERS CLOSE on February 21 for a supremely modernised character home in Seatoun that offers an idyllic al fresco lifestyle.

The four-bedroom house, at 59 Falkirk Ave, is on a securely fenced 506-square metre section with a leafy, private garden, north-facing deck and courtyard, and a doublegarage on road reserve.

Built in 1930, its subtle arts and crafts influence has been substantially enhanced to combine the comforts of contemporary living with the appeal of solid, traditional character.

“Over the past five years not one surface has been left untouched by the owners,” Craig Oliver, of Lowe & Co Realty, says.

“They have created a home of understated elegance in a quiet, sunny, sheltered location only minutes from the village and beach.

“And because of the position of the house, it has far more garden than you’d expect.”

Since it last changed hands, the 220sqm weatherboard dwelling has been re-roofed with Colorsteel, double-glazed (with timber sashes), and insulated under the floor and in the ceiling and many of the walls.

The upper level was remodelled, the kitchen and three bathrooms are new, there are separate central heating units for upstairs and down, and a third living area with a corner window could be a fifth bedroom.

It’s to the right of the covered front door, which opens into a central hall with a 3m-high stud and stained native timber floorboards.

To the left is the spacious lounge with its integrated woodburner fireplace, bay window and bifolding doors to wraparound deck overlooking a dell-like garden with flat lawn and mature natives, including karaka, pohutukawa and rata.

The open-plan family/dining room and kitchen have French doors to an al fresco courtyard and two large skylights to maximise natural light.

The stunning kitchen - one of the owners was a chef - has granite super white benchtops, a 900mmwide Smeg oven, six-burner hob, integrated rangehood, refrigerator-freezer and extra deep drawers.

Also on this level is a bathroom with a hideaway laundry.

All the upstairs bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, the main bedroom suite has a harbour view and walk-through wardrobe to an ensuite, and the bathroom has a shower over a deep bath.

The surprisingly spacious attic study has three opening skylights for ventilation and to showcase the harbour on one side and Beacon Hill on the other.

“This was one of the grander homes in Seatoun when it was built,” Oliver says, “and remains so today. “There’s nothing else like it - the style of construction and design is unique.”

The property has a rateable value of $2.14 million.