A soul-uplifting drive through bushland, about 12 kilometres from Woodend, leads to Glorieux, a 29-hectare property of sweeping cleared land with two dams and a seasonal creek stocked with trout and redfin. In a dip in the midst of the grassland, a wonderful pavilion-style residence, designed with a French barn sensibility and according to passive solar principles, is an absolute treat.
It’s hard to overstate the aesthetics and intelligent design on show here.
738 Falloons Road, Ashbourne, 3442
- Keatings: 5427 2999
- Price: $2.15 million
- Private sale
- Find out more about this property on Domain.com.au
Built by Macedon Ranges’ Jamie Callaway, the house has beautiful matte concrete floors and Quantum thermo-shield picture windows all through, with the addition of superior insulation and an off-grid solar system making it a place packed with comfort in summer heat and winter snow. A Nectre wood heater and an Elite pellet heater add unbeatable cosiness.
The massive central pavilion contains lounge-dining, kitchen and family zones, plus a storage-rich laundry/mudroom. Double sliders open to a north-facing patio with views towards one of the dams.
With an undermount butler’s sink, a giant island bench in warm-white stone is the French-inspired kitchen’s focal point, but two lovely glass display cabinets also have their turn. White vinyl-wrap cabinetry with brushed-brass pulls, white subway tiling and Smeg 900mm cooker comprise the fit-out, while a walk-in pantry behind an opaque-glass door is also on board.
The eastern pavilion has a study with large workstations and shelves galore, as well as the sumptuous main bedroom. Pendants in copper – gorgeous features in the living hub as well – hang beside the bed, while a fitted dressing space and en suite with freestanding oval tub and stone-topped vanity each deliver understated luxe.
In the western pavilion are four large fitted bedrooms, swish main bathroom, walk-in linen closet and a music room/gym.
There’s the option of more formal landscaping, but right now the grass needs to be slashed about once a year – visiting kangaroos and wombats and resident sheep help keep growth down.
For “practical”, there’s a freestanding double garage and adjoining multi-purpose room, with plumbing and electrics in place, plus a 10×10-metre machinery shed and 76,500-litre rainwater storage.
Unmissable and indeed glorieux.
