26 Goldies Lane, Woodend, Vic 3442

With talent and commitment, an historic Woodend cottage has been restored and expanded to become a breathtaking family home.

The original cottage, built in the late 1800s, sits proudly in place, its weatherboard exterior painted a smart New England blue. The cosy entry/ sitting room has a fireplace with inset, and creamy painted timber wall and ceiling. Double doors reveal a study, with views of the front garden.

The kitchen is spacious, with lots of panelled cabinets and wonderful concrete benches. A freestanding Ilve cooker, with electric oven and gas burners, sits in an inglenook. The big meals area and open living room have white French doors that open onto a large verandah. Tucked around the corner is a sitting room with French doors leading to a north facing verandah. Dark timber floors throughout are a reminder of the history of this part of the house. A Daikin reverse cycle split system teams with the wood fire to provide convenient and year-round comfort.

There is a bathroom with a gorgeous claw foot bath and heritage basin, and a useful washroom with exterior access.

The new part of the house has a virtually maintenance-free Colorbond exterior that matches the colour of the weatherboards.

The link to the extension has been sensitively achieved with glossy timber stairs, panelled walls and lovely rustic doors. There are three bedrooms on the ground floor, all very spacious. They have charming angled ceilings in painted timber, and all have panelled walls and warm woollen carpet on the floors. Hydronic wall panels keep these rooms toasty in winter.

The living area here is vast, with concrete floors and hydronic wall panel heating. Glass sliding doors lead to a north facing verandah and to a porch and bring sunlight flooding in.

A spiral staircase heads up to the grand master suite. This is a very generous space, with a delightful angled ceiling and beams, and pale painted panelled walls. A sitting area at one end has sliding doors opening to a fantastic, deep verandah with views of the garden and beyond. North facing, this is a sheltered and private space. There is an impressive Hollywood walk in robe, with frosted doors on each side, and a lovely ensuite.

The entire extension is double glazed and well insulated for comfort and sustainability.

The glorious gardens surrounding the house measure 2295 m2, just over half an acre. Red brick paving has been extensively used to create inviting patios and paths. There are gravel terraces and steps, and stone edged garden beds. Plantings are a combination of exotic and native, and have been used to create garden rooms for meandering and exploration.

There is a double carport. The property is on town water and mains gas.

Only a comfortable 1 km walk to the railway station, this unique and tranquil property is in the highly desirable Campaspe House neighbourhood. Whilst preserving a piece of Woodend’s past, it is truly a home for the 21st century.