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<\/p>\nThey went to the inspection and immediately fell in love. Bryce couldn\u2019t deny its charm and gorgeous features, softening the fear of moving away from the city.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOnce I saw the house, it was unlike any other house I\u2019d been into,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not a perfect or glossy mansion, more like a comfy slipper \u2013 a cosy home. There\u2019s something quirky and beautiful about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the pair hadn\u2019t so much as thought about putting their existing apartments up for sale, nor applied for pre-approval, so they had no idea whether the property was within reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople also loved telling us \u2018no\u2019 \u2013 family, friends, building inspectors, and everyone in between, asking us why we\u2019d buy an old home on a block that\u2019s largely covered in rainforest,\u201d says Bryce. \u201cEveryone had their opinion on what could go wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thankfully, they were able to sell their apartments and secure financing relatively quickly. The move happened soon after.<\/p>\n
The pair couldn\u2019t be happier with their purchase and plan to retain the property\u2019s heritage \u2013 and have recently repainted it in its original Tudor colours. However, they have added one contemporary inclusion.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe have a barrel sauna with a beautiful view over the forest,\u201d Sainty says. Credit: Greg Briggs<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a barrel sauna with a beautiful view over the forest. It\u2019s down a little path, nestled in the garden, completely private,\u201d says Sainty. \u201cYou can run down there in the nude, sit in 80-degree heat on a crisp two-degree morning and take in the surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the classic Tudor design appears seamless from floor to ceiling, it was actually pieced together over several decades.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s believed the top part of the property was shipped over from England in 1910 as a flat-pack kit home \u2013 a relatively common practice back then due to the lack of materials and skilled tradespeople in Australia. The downstairs spaces were later added by subsequent owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love the experience of moving between different zones, from the subterranean downstairs room, up the kooky staircase and landing, into the dark and moody living-dining room, through to the sun-drenched library looking out onto the forest,\u201d says Bryce.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTo us, this home is perfectly imperfect.\u201d Credit: Greg Briggs<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes the home feel large and adventurous and cosy at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given the property\u2019s age, it naturally comes with a few quirks. It\u2019s only connected to a septic tank, and its enclosed design and hillside positioning mean natural light can be in short supply.<\/p>\n
However, the trade-offs make living here worthwhile.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safe option isn\u2019t always the best option. I remember telling a building inspector, if I wanted a cookie-cutter brand-new home on a flat block, I\u2019d go buy one,\u201d says Bryce.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo us, this home is perfectly imperfect, and we love its uniqueness.\u201d<\/p>\n