Price guide:<\/strong> $4.7 million-$5.1 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIn 1973, the home came under the care of Michael and Patricia Fielding and their three children, who introduced a familial warmth to the residence and added a swimming pool.<\/p>\n
Then, in 1981, David Parkin \u2013 who was Carlton Football Club\u2019s senior coach at the time \u2013 and his wife Margaret took ownership, adding to the property\u2019s grandeur and leisure appeal with a tennis court.<\/p>\n
Later, Ian Aikenhead became the steward of this architectural wonder. However, maintaining such a large property became challenging, and it was left vacant for around four years, awaiting revival.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.916%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_13\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a172782b6738642cffc36f73a8655f1fa418cd79\")
<\/p>\n
Interior designer and project manager Erica George and electrician and foreman Damon McKinnon renovated a mid-century home in Templestowe.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Natalie Jeffcott<\/cite><\/p>\nEnter interior designer and project manager Erica George, electrician and foreman Damon McKinnon and their two preschoolers, Harrison and Frankie.<\/p>\n
In 2021, the family became the latest custodians of this enduring home. Despite finding the property overgrown and neglected, they recognised its inherent potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were struck by its unique character and great bones, including its double-brick construction, split-level floor plan, and classic flat roof,\u201d George says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has a unique 10-metre long sunken entry with no windows or views, leading straight to the single front door, as though you\u2019re entering an exclusive house party in a James Bond movie.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_224\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/c8d800a20779f50f5b4793b5166a6ff381c82802\")
<\/p>\n
Erica and Damon saw the home\u2019s potential.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Natalie Jeffcott<\/cite><\/p>\nThe pair embarked on a major renovation, merging respect for its origins with modern flair. George led the design and project management, while McKinnon was hands-on in almost every aspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal was to highlight the home\u2019s features, sourcing natural materials like wood, terrazzo, metal and glass, aiming to make spaces more functional,\u201d George says.<\/p>\n
\u201cA true highlight is the gorgeous blackbutt timber ceilings throughout, including at the entrance and carport.\u201d<\/p>\n
This design feature is also prominent in the main living room. George highlights the light and views of this space, with floor-to-ceiling windows spanning two sides of the room.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4aff9415707df29b7b8cd78e8447bdd1c50d5ff0\")
<\/p>\n
The pair embarked on a major renovation, merging respect for its origins with modern flair. <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe living areas are situated on lower levels of the split-level floor plan, allowing for ceilings that span 3.6 metres high,\u201d she says. \u201cOversized windows then add to the feeling of openness, framing bush outlooks of the Ruffey Creek Trail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twelve new skylights bring in more natural light, as does a new window to the kitchen splashback.<\/p>\n
The interior colour scheme is subtle with strategic colour accents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve used calacatta marble in verde and viola tones, as seen in the kitchen and bathrooms,\u201d George says. \u201cThe dining room is fitted with a terrazzo bench featuring a leather cushioned seat and an alpaca velvet backrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a18577ae342d4ea26228b927d0881720b12b9772\")
<\/p>\n
Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors in the light-filled living room.<\/span><\/p>\nOutside, the extensive work continued with a suspended slab to extend the outdoor living and entertaining space.<\/p>\n
Adjacent is a 2.7-metre deep pool, refreshed with Italian glass mosaics and a new, micro cement coping. A 40-metre concrete retaining wall was constructed along the tennis court boundary.<\/p>\n
\u201cInspired by Palm Springs landscapes, we also redesigned the garden, integrating it with the native Australian bush block,\u201d George says.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecent efforts have included reshaping, irrigation and planting, transforming the entire acre \u2013 we are thrilled with the result and can\u2019t wait to see it all flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ff0600df8496494ae49a98227b165d75f42212c8\")
<\/p>\n
\u2018The goal was to highlight the home\u2019s features, sourcing natural materials like wood, terrazzo, metal and glass,\u2019 George says.<\/span><\/p>\nAlthough the property is positioned in the middle of suburban Templestowe, only a 25-minute drive from Melbourne CBD, it appears to be hours away in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always so quiet and peaceful with beautiful bird life and delightful sunsets to enjoy,\u201d George says. \u201cWe\u2019re also only walking distance to Templestowe Village, home to some fantastic cafes and restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n
George and McKinnon\u2019s two-and-a-half-year renovation journey has been filled with hard work and rewarding moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been staring into an empty pool, wondering what it\u2019s going to be like to swim in it, and only recently, when the pool was filled, Damon was straight in there, even before the heating and filtration was commissioned,\u201d George says. \u201cAlbeit very cold, it was definitely a victorious moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_376\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f15a5dd9b4067967b147376d7bdb0a3acb1024f2\")
<\/p>\n
The dining room is fitted with a terrazzo bench featuring a leather cushioned seat and an alpaca velvet backrest. <\/span><\/p>\nThe couple also had a visit during the renovation from two daughters of previous owners, who shared stories and photos of their childhood upbringing at the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we purchased the property, some neighbours also shared their fond memories of the annual tennis tournaments held at the property by a previous owner, when cars would line the street,\u201d George says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems this home tends to leave a lasting mark on people, including us, and I\u2019m sure the next owners won\u2019t be any different.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article was originally published by Domain.com.au. Reproduced with permission.<\/strong><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Property<\/h2>\n
Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Property listings The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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