Entertain This 2-acre Rare Retreat

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 2, 2007

Alysson Watson

ELERMORE VALE

More than $1.65 million

Address: 172 Lake Road.

House: Brick and tile on 8094 square metres.

Sale by tender: Closing July 3.

Agent: Troy Brooker, Ray White Toronto, 4959 6577 or 0402 560 567.

Inspect: By appointment.

BUILT in the mid-1990s as an entertainers' retreat, this substantial home sits well back on its two-acre block.

Owners John and Beverley De Bijl, who sold the family company Barnsley Joinery and Easyclean Kitchens in 2003, are retiring to Penguin in north-west Tasmania.

Mrs De Bijl said they built the house with a view to entertaining guests, and it's certainly well set up in that regard, even with separate self-contained accommodation.

From the road the property presents as a country estate, with rolling lawns and an avenue of conifers leading down the driveway that circles a mature Norfolk Island pine.

A natural watercourse in front of the house has been captured as a water feature, and standard and hedged roses make an inviting, formal entry to the home.

Its proportions are in keeping with the style of a grand country home, with soaring foyer and timber staircase greeting visitors. To the left are the formal entertaining rooms a stately dining room and large lounge room, carpeted and wallpapered in an English country theme.

Towards the rear of the house are more casual entertaining areas a meals nook, family and TV room and, as would be expected, a stunning granite and timber kitchen.

Mrs De Bijl said she was drawn to the swirling sands effect of the pink-tinged granite and was seeking it out for her renovation plans in Tasmania.

Also on this level, but tucked away privately, are the master bedroom, sumptuous ensuite with deep spa bath, and study. At the other end of the house are the large laundry, with toilet and shower.

On the upper level and cut into the roof lines are two bedroom suites, with dormer windows to view the grounds at the front and the pool and outdoor entertaining area at the rear. There is also a bathroom.

In a basement level is a large rumpus room with billiards table, bar, wine cellar and single-garage workshop with side roller-door entry.

At the rear the in-ground pool is the focus of entertaining, overlooked by two rotundas, one set up as a kitchen.

The self-contained quarters to the side include an ensuite bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom and loft study.

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© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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