Celeb Best Blog

One of my favourite Hills houses has just come on the market. Olivet House c.1920 (formerly known as Wachenappee) sits in all its grandeur at the end of our street here in Stirling. For a while back in the '90's it was a very gracious Boutique hotel, but was converted back to a private residence by the present Owners.

The land holding is a substantial 6,600 sq. metres approx (1.5 acres) of fabulous Hills garden & the house sits in a wonderful elevated position.

Very nice hedged courtyard outside the back door.

It has all the accoutrements required of a country estate.

The stairs leading down to an all-weather tennis court (puts our dodgy old clay court to shame!!).

Fabulous mature trees throughout the garden.

Meandering paths lined with the traditional Hills camelias & rhodies.

And a wide verandah to yell instructions to the gardeners from.

However, as we wander inside things sort of turn pear-shaped. A strange combo. of marbled colour washes on the walls, skirting boards & dado line. I have no doubt that a large amount of money was spent in the '90's getting all these specialist painted finishes done, but I reckon they detract from the true 'personality' of the house.

The formal sitting room is OK.

I feel a refit coming on here in the kitchen.

And the casual meals area off the kitchen has great potential. Love those French doors leading out to the verandah.

The formal lounge room has a bank of fabulous windows, but more of that painted marbled wash-ie thing happening with the walls. The chunky velour sofas seem to be caught in a time warp.

There are 7 bedrooms, and here's where the frills really kick in.

Hmmmm.

More frills & garlanded friezes.

This is one of the 5 bathrooms, & the ultimate awful frilly Austrian blind thing is in situ. This is a magical property, & I'm sure with a little clever design, strict adherence to the Less Is More theory, a large skip bin, the phone #'s of Heckle & Jeckle (aka Mike & Chris our favourite Painters & Decorators) & a fat cheque book, the new Owners can end the Frills & Friezes era Olivet House is sadly stuck in - good luck! Estimated sale price is $3 - 3.5 m.

Images: with apologies again to Jamie Brown @ Bernard Booth

I do love a good drive-by, but in recent times the meaning has somewhat changed! No gangs, violent confrontations & firearms here, just a slow amble by, a big drool, much sighing & a U-turn further down the street to repeat the exercise. In fact, those gang boys should forget the urban warfare stuff, hop into their cars & do a bit of real estate dreaming & drooling. It would help them get in touch with their feminine side & that could only be a good thing.

Looking at the real estate pages in the weekend papers, here's whats on this week's drive-by list in lovely Adelaide & the Hills. The houses on my list all have to have that certain pizzaz, great street appeal that brings the Millie-mobile to a screeching halt. Love the wonderful sandstone Victorian villa above, sitting on a big piece of land in salubrious North Adelaide. Oooooh those verandahs!! (AU$3.5-3.8m.)

And here's a really interesting Victorian terrace in Gilberton. That fretwork, interesting architectural features & fabulous wrought iron gates will have my neck stretching waaaay out of the car window. (AU$1.8m.)

Another big Victorian villa in gorgeous Unley Park. Set right back from the road basking in the evening light, I may just want to jump out & make them an offer on the spot! (EOI)

Just around the corner in Hawthorn (Adelaide's not Melbourne's!) it's the circular drive-way to this Victorian beauty that grabs me. Then the bay windows, wrought iron & wide verandahs - very nice. (POA)

Now this one looks VERY familiar. In fact I have driven past this Edwardian lovely thousands of times, because it belongs to our dear ex-neighbours in Unley! Jack & Angela & their boys were our neighbours 2 doors down for 16 years & I always loved the street appeal of their home. It sold at auction on Thursday - the new Owners should consider themselves very lucky, they have bought a home full of great warmth & charm. (AU$1.4m.)

Now what's going on here I hear you say. Is that the house, or what. Well actually it's just the start to the driveway of Fawley, a truly exquisite property in Balhannah, just up the road from us here in Stirling.

And here's what waiting for you once you traverse the long driveway - the most spectacular old period home sitting in one of the Hill's most amazing gardens. To see more pop over to Letitia's blog The White Shed. She posted on Fawley last week as she has a personal connection with the Owners & their lovely home. I'd love to know if there's one house here that you would 'chuck a U-e' for!! (For non-Aussie Hedgies - Meaning:make a U-turn. Example:Chuck a U-e mate, the pub's the other way.) (AU$3.8m.)

Images: Real Estate

Two very memorable things happened in the little village of Stirling in June 2006 - we moved up from the City & the Pub received a fabulous make-over. One is slightly more impressive than the other & I'll leave that for you to decide!

Since then MOTH & I have had many relaxed nights enjoying a wonderful dinner in the casual Bistro.

Or with a pint by the fire in the Front Bar, followed by the compulsory game of pool before stumbling home.

And the occasional special dinner in the flash Mallee Grill restaurant.

MOTH's well-known in the fabulous adjoining Bottle Shop, occasionally needing a red card flashed at him to let him know he's overstayed his welcome at the Tasting table.

Now Brett & Sarah the owners have responded to the acute shortage of decent accommodation in town by wandering upstairs & giving all the unused rooms a new lease of life. They have called their venture 5 Rooms - & that's exactly what it is. 5 simple but elegant suites with king-sized beds, luxury linen, i-Pod docking stations, double showers, spa baths, etc. All rooms share a cute little kitchen with a big espresso machine. 3 rooms have open fireplaces & french doors opening out onto the sweeping upstairs balcony.

We've spent many a happy warm Summer's night propped up out the front of The Stirling. Some nights, we even walk the 1/2km., but MOTH needs to lead the way home with a torch, as once away from the main street, there isn't any street lighting, so finding our front door is quite a challenge! So if you are heading up our way, I hope you stop at The Stirling, & maybe even give one of the 5 Rooms a spin.
Images: The Stirling Hotel

Pretty petals

Gorgeous guests

Handsome MOTH's

Beautiful bride

Breathtaking scenery

Important words

Sweet touches

Candid moments

Loving family

Big conversations

Yummy cake

Knowing bride

Let's party!!

Singing groom

Happy guests

Dancing MOTH's

It was such a fun & memorable evening - sublime setting, great band, lovely people, fab food & wine & the most gorgeous, relaxed couple. Darling Kate & Damon - happiness always.