Geelong West California bungalow delivers functionality and style

From the outside, 76 Elizabeth St, Geelong West, is a beautifully maintained California bungalow.

But its secret reveals itself when you step through the front door.

Behind the original facade is a newly-built home.

This must simply be the best way to buy a period home.

There’s no renovation to be done, nothing to save for down the track, because everything beyond the facade is brand new.

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The vendors – a builder and interior designer – took on the project of transforming an empty shell in one of Geelong West’s best streets during the first lockdown.

They brought years of experience in building and design to the project and created a family home that delivers loads of functionality and style.

“The layout is based on house designs that we know work well – they seem to flow, they are practical, yet stylish,” the vendor said.

“Our children are teenagers and grown-ups now, but we know through experience, the functionality families need.”

The home will go to auction on September 18 at 10am with price hopes from $1.35 million to $1.45 million.

The home sits on a 526sq m block.

It has three bedrooms, two living areas, a large central kitchen and a two-person study.

The vendor has swept the home with a Scandinavian colour-scheme and style in a desire to create a “simple and homely feel”.

The kitchen features light, beech coloured cabinetry, Carrara stone benchtops, sleek high-end appliances and a large walk-in pantry.

It overlooks a north-facing living room with a raked ceiling, polished concrete floors and a striking red brick feature wall.

“I like earthy, natural tones and the red brick wall gives a warm ambience to the living space,” the vendor explained.

“The room is north-facing, so a lot of natural light comes into this space. Lots of light can just make you feel so much better.”

The second living area could be used as a fourth bedroom, but it reflects the vendors’ experience of raising a young family.

As an extra living room, it creates a space where children can play and be clearly visible from the kitchen.

In the same way, a feature of the study is its outlook to the garden.

It has built-in filing cabinets and two desk spaces and a wide window out to the back yard.

Selling agent David Cortous from McGrath Geelong, said the home office was an important selling feature of any property today.

“Before Covid, I think studies were on the way out, because people could work on their laptops or tablets where ever they wanted to in the house, but now with so many people working from home, the study has become really important.”

The main bedroom suite opens onto to the deck. It has a beautiful ensuite and a large walk-in wardrobe with built-in cabinetry.

The property borders Sparrow Park and is a short work to vibrant Pakington St.

Mr Cortous said location had never been more important to buyers than now.

“With Covid, people aren’t travelling as much, so the house and the location are so much more important, because you can be restricted to your own little community.”

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