When Mark and Jemma were designing their dream family property in Warkworth, “we decided we would do it once and do it right,” says Mark.
The beautifully elevated 1.48-hectare block was just bare paddocks when they first arrived. Over the past nine years, the couple have not only built a super spacious and stylish family home, but developed the grounds into a lush, landscaped garden oasis.
They collaborated with an experienced local business, The House Company, who helped design and build their incredibly well thought out residence. Future-proofing was front of mind during the process, explains Jemma.
“We didn’t have kids when we started, so we wanted to build it big enough so that if we did have kids, it would work for quite some time.”
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They also wanted a timeless look that wouldn’t date, so opted for sturdy, classic brick construction. Another key feature here is the separate three-bay American barn, which will dazzle keen car enthusiasts, hobbyists, or anyone looking for vast amounts of functional storage.
“It’s filled with lots of treasures,” laughs Mark.
The couple worked with another local company, Coresteel Buildings, to bring their vision for the impressive shed to life. “The idea was that it was far away enough from the house so that Mark could be in there, and not be waking kids up,” says Jemma.
58 Viv Davie-Martin Drive in Warkworth, Rodney, is on the market for sale by auction on May 2. The five-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $1.65 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2015 for $388,000.
The elevated 1.48-hectare block has landscaping and native bush. Photo / Supplied
The practical, single-level five-bedroom, two-bathroom floorplan has great flow and makes family life and entertaining a pleasure. Photo / Supplied
A practical, single-level floorplan with great flow makes family life and entertaining a pleasure in the house. The living is centred around an enormous outdoor living area, where an expansive deck provides space for barbecues and parties, and steps down to a spa platform overlooking the native bush.
“For me as a mum,” says Jemma, “the deck with kids is perfect because they can play indoors or out, as there is also a covered area.”
Three blinds can be pulled down to further enclose it and create another big outdoor room, when the weather is too windy or rainy. Neutral, modern interiors allow the lush green backdrop to take centre stage.
The well-appointed kitchen has a scullery and breakfast island, while the separate lounge provides family separation when required.
The couple deliberately designed all five bedrooms to be big. Four are serviced by the main bathroom, while the master suite has its own luxurious ensuite and huge dressing room with clever storage solutions.
“There’s no space issues. You can both be in there at the same time and the idea was being able to see your clothes, rather than wondering, ‘which drawer is that in?’,” says Jemma.
As for the outside, “the landscaping is all Mark, I’m just the assistant,” says Jemma.
Bayleys agent Dianna Coman says: “The home is large, modern and has a good footprint, plus it is incredibly private.” Photo / Supplied
One of the homeowners says the deck has been perfect for their active children. Photo / Supplied
His passion and flair for repurposing and breathing new life into old materials and equipment has evolved into the many incredible sculptures and outdoor features around the property – most of it handmade.
Thanks to the immaculate concrete driveway, their children, now four and six, can do laps of the house on their bikes and kick the ball on the driveway or in the garden. Kids have space and freedom to explore here, but clever design means they’re never too far away.
The beauty of this land is that while it is a lifestyle size, two thirds of it are native bush, which means you don’t need to run livestock. It offers residents a lovely change of pace from city life, as well as a wonderful sense of picturesque peace and privacy, but doesn’t require the hard work usually associated with properties of this size.
After all their hard work here, the family once again has their eye on the future, says Jemma.
“We have decided to live for the here and now – seeing this dream has been completed and our sons are moving from push bikes to motorbikes, the next dream requires paddocks.”
Dianna Coman, from Bayleys, says that this is a very cool, truly bespoke property that’s beautifully set up and boasts incredible landscaping.
“The home is large, modern and has a good footprint, plus it is incredibly private. It sits elevated to the bush so you’re not crowded in and, on the back side of the property, you can’t see anyone else either.
“It’s a very high-end lifestyle on the edge of town – you can still walk to schools and into town,” she says.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
