Eye-popping Versace-clad house has pokies and arcade games in man cave, giant chess board
The diner-style kitchen booth with velvet-covered seats at 103 Long Tree Drive, Harkness, and the talking butler mannequin in the man cave (inset).
A yellow and black Versace-clad house for sale in Melbourne’s west is packed with eye-popping features, including a giant outdoor chess game, a man cave full of pokies and arcade machines and diner-style kitchen booth with velvet-covered seating.
The Harkness house, near Melton West, also has a backyard children’s swivelling playground chair, swim spa, stone fire pit and al fresco area with built-in bar and fully equipped kitchen.
The four-bedroom residence at 103 Long Tree Drive is being offered for private sale with a $799,000-$849,000 asking price.
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Owner Damian Catania has extensively renovated the property since moving in six years ago, including installing marble-look epoxy flooring inside the house and garage.
“When people go through the house, the awe factor just makes their jaw drop,” Mr Catania said.
“Everyone spins out over the kitchen, it’s like a booth in a cafeteria.”
A giant chess game, a sun bed, a fire pit and playground equipment make for a cool backyard.
The games room, complete with a talking butler mannequin.
Mr Catania, who used to own a pergola company, said friends well-versed in trades helped him transform the house.
The black and gold furniture, Versace bedding and towels are all in honour of his AFL team, Richmond.
Mr Catania said he installed the rear garden’s large-scale chess board in place of the mini golf course he originally planned, as drainage issues were too difficult to figure out.
Versace black and gold glamour is a tribute to Mr Catania’s AFL team Richmond.
The house from the outside.
He began collecting the decommissioned pokie machines and retro arcade games, including Sega Rally, Daytona, Big Buck and Point Blank after spotting a couple for sale on eBay.
“My friends bring their kids over and they love playing them,” Mr Catania said.
He inherited a formally-dressed butler mannequin, which welcomes visitors to the games room, from a friend who previously owned a $2 shop.
“The mannequin has a sensor and when you walk past it says, ‘Master’s been expecting you’ or laughs scarily,” Mr Catania said.
More black and gold in one of two bathrooms.
The al fresco area overlooks the games room.
BEFORE: Inside the house before Mr Catania’s renovation.
While preparing to sell the house, Mr Catania sold the pokies and arcade games, as he is planning to travel Australia in a Winnebago.
Mr Catania said he recently finished renovating the house in memory of his partner Allecha, who died in 2017.
YPA Melton director Shane Spiteri said the property’s al fresco area has a gap near the bar, to watch “kangaroos jumping in the back paddocks” of Harkness.
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