The fine art of reinvention
The Age
Saturday February 20, 2010
BLAIRGOWRIE 73 Macfarlan Avenue $895,000This renovation was a tonne of fun, writes Mary O'Brien. BLAIRGOWRIE 73 Macfarlan Avenue $895,000 Private sale Agent Bennison Mackinnon, 5984 0999 Melway 167 C1 BRUCE McComb is an enthusiastic stonemason. Every week he would finish his stone work and at the weekend turn his skills to transforming his own home in Blairgowrie into a new "old" house.On the outside, Mr McComb's house €” with its traditional limestone facade, gothic windows and gargoyles €” looks like it has been on Macfarlan Avenue for decades. But 17 years ago, this was a humble, cement-sheet cottage.Mr McComb has spent years reinventing the house, using the existing cottage shape and turning it into a house with all mod cons and a plethora of traditional stone features, just like the historic limestone buildings that are a familiar part of the Mornington Peninsula.In fact, he enjoyed the project so much he wants to do it all over again on another property."I've got the cream of the local limestone, the red of the red brick and the green of the Dromana granite, which are three local products," he says. "I've carried that through inside with a green carpet, red jarrah floorboards and the cream of the paintwork."What he calls his "fairytale cottage" has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two living areas. The kitchen is about a year old and the bathrooms were renovated with Dromana granite.The traditional feel is reinforced by the carved words "Pax intrantibus" (peace to those entering) at the entrance and the stained-glass front door, which was done by a family friend.The main bedroom, "the love nest", runs off a deck at the back of the house and has its own bathroom, perfect for parents who want privacy.The house is almost hidden from the road by native plants and there is a badminton court, lavender hedge and spa outside."We've got the mini-millionaire swimming pool and the mini-millionaire tennis court," Mr McComb quips.The front living room overlooks the badminton court and garden. The back dining area is warmed by Mr McComb's stone fireplace and french doors open to the deck.The house is in a quiet street, about a seven-minute walk to Blairgowrie Marina. Well situated for beach-lovers, there's cold and hot showers outside to wash away the brine and sand."I'm a keen surfer and diver, so I'm either at the front beach or I get in the car to drive to the back beach," Mr McComb says.On the 990-square-metre block there is a shed at the back, a bore for water and parking for three cars or two and a boat.–Blairgowrie is about an hour's drive from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula and only four kilometres from Sorrento.–Originally known as East Sorrento, it was named after the Burgh of Blairgowrie in Scotland.–Victoria's first official settlement, dating from 1803, Collins Settlement Historic Site overlooks Blairgowrie's Camerons Bight beach.–Choose from the calm waters of the front beach or the surfer's waves of the back beach.–Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Club is an attraction.
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