HouseHunting: Lane Cove lust

Welcome to the latest installment of an occasional series called HouseHunting. As previously blogged, I’m a property pornographer. Totally real-estate obsessed. Here’s my lust object …

What the agent says: “Set well down from the street out of view and backing onto Stringybark Reserve, this spacious and character filled home ensures quiet family seclusion with a wonderfully private leafy aspect. Previously owned by Australian film producer and editor, Anthony Buckley A.M. (Caddie, Bliss, Oyster Farmer) and fondly recollected in his autobiography, Behind A Velvet Light Trap, the home has been updated to include a brand new kitchen and bathrooms plus an all-level guest wing or teen retreat.

There are four bedrooms, two (including guest wing) each with en-suite plus formal living and dining, an open plan family meals space and mezzanine library. A divine garden features alfresco entertainment areas and a stunning in-ground salt water pool with infinity edge, and this provides a focus from indoors and a balcony off the upper level. High timber lined ceilings and polished original floorboards upstairs and quarried tiles on the lower level add a rich finish throughout, while other features include an open fireplace, air conditioning, multiple skylights and a double carport.

The home is immediately comfortable and presents a unique opportunity in a serene natural setting. It’s located a short walk to city buses, close to parks and schools, within a few minutes of Lane Cove village centre and easily accessible to the CBD.

Click here for the property listing on Domain.

What I say: I looooooooove the potential in this place (erm, when did “potential” cost $1.4millionish?). Those arches, the tongue-and-groove ceilings, the gorgeous garden. I would have so much fun turning this place into a Moroccan hacienda. Just lay some Moroccan tiles over those ugly ’80s ones, hang a few ornate lanterns, add a few shutters, paint the exterior a Porter’s Paints sandstoney colour … buy lots of Moroccan doo-dads. Ahhhhhh … The only drawback is the location. I’m not a massive Lane Cove North fan. Too many apartments being built around there. But if I won the lottery (bought tickets yesterday arvo, fingers crossed) I would snavel this place as a project.

I would make it look like this …