Residential
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21 August 2015
French-inspired country living in Dural
Soak up country life close to the city in this French-inspired modern farmhouse with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and sculpted gardens on five acres in a classic country lane in Dural.
The construction of the three-story country residence, known as ‘Frangipani’ was recently completed by the directors and founders of a business specialising in Australian made French and Italian-inspired architectural products.
The design was in concert with architect, Paul Meyer, who also designed their previous home in Glenhaven which was nominated for HIA home of the year in 1991.
Impressed with the property, Country Home Ideas magazine is featuring it in early 2016.
Frangipani’s vendor and co-founder Gary O’Neill says: “They featured the French bistro-style kitchen in 2010 and they’ve always wanted to come and shoot the home; we’ve finally got it finished after four years’ hard work.”
He says the house is the culmination of 23 years of product research and development at their business and features bespoke designs that have led to many of their most popular product lines.
“We have used a lot of these products in our own build. We’ve always had an interest in the European style of casual living, partly because of his wife’s Italian background O’Neill says, adding that sustainability has fed the design.
“My wife is a horticulturist and had a major influence in the layout of the home and gardens, which reflect her long-held passion for productivity in urban environments.”
O’Neill says that 14-foot ceilings, a 30-degree roof pitch and additional glazing on the windows means air conditioning is rarely needed.
“It’s always very cool inside, even on consecutive hot days,” he says, adding that the elevated position, wide verandahs and north aspect works well in all seasons.
“You look out the back where you can see about one kilometre across the valley. In winter you have mist flowing up out of the valley. It’s just beautiful, it’s why we moved here,” O’Neill laughs.
He says that there is plenty of privacy on the five acre property with the neighbours barely visible.
“We’ll be sad to see it go but we’re getting on a bit and we want to travel a lot more so it’s time to downsize,” he says.
Selling agent, Sandy Ward from Ray White Dural says the property ticks all the boxes.
“It’s nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac yet is close to excellent schools and the express bus to the city,” she says, adding that it’s not a traditional acreage property.
“The way they’ve set up the gardens means this is perfect for the family looking for more space without the maintenance.”
“Large families would be well suited here and teenagers could occupy a level to themselves,” she says, adding that the separate charming cottage could easily become self-contained.
Other features include a lockup garage with internal access, huge balconies, blackbutt timber flooring, marble benches, dedicated library and a driveway flanked by blossom trees.
“It’s a magnificent example of modern European-style design,” Ward says, encouraging anyone with a budget of over $3 million to take a closer look at 3:15pm, Saturday 28 November.
Further enquiries:
Sandy Ward
Principal | Ray White Dural
0419 203 011 | sandra.ward@raywhite.com
