Down a country lane and bordered by lush forest, Wirilda, a property of about
1.3 hectares, is perched in a prime spot on the Mount where light is copious and vistas are spectacular. At night, the outlook resembles a fairyland of twinkling lights and, during daytime, the green bush echoes with birdsong.
Built by the owners in 1991, the house has many large, tall windows, so the immediacy of wonderful English gardens and forest leafiness is never lost. Many beautiful trees – tulip, copper beech, dogwood, claret ash and snowball among them – take centre stage in sitting nooks and along pathways. It’s a feast for the eyes and soul.
Understated elegance and classic lines best describe the house; it has timeless bones built in. Whoever scores it has a great canvas upon which to create.
Entry to the house is to a large separate foyer, with a glass wall ahead revealing an ornamental pond rimmed with greenery. This puts out a fine welcome mat and, like the rest of the house, deserves a cosmetic facelift to make it truly shine. Not to say things are shabby, because they’re not.
Living areas include a very large lounge-dining room, with a wide bay window plus a wall of full-height windows capturing those views towards Mt Towong and the city. Downlight-studded ceiling bulkheads add architectural interest. On the other side of the room, french doors open to the pond and courtyard.
More french doors then open to the casual meals area abutting the kitchen, while another set ushers in a sitting room – each space taking in the south-easterly views.
The large, well-designed kitchen, with french doors to a covered deck and courtyard, has matte slate floor tiles, abundant cream cabinetry and bench space, a corner pantry, cream subway splashback tiles and a stainless-steel dishwasher.
Along a hallway, again zoned off with a glass door, are the three fitted bedrooms, the main bathroom with subway tiling, a powder room and laundry with good storage. The main bedroom, with those views to wake up to each morning, has a walk-in robe and a study nook that could be snaffled for a future en suite.
So, does Wirilda have lifestyle magic? You betcha …
Carole Levy
