45 Hethersett Road, Sassafras, VIC, 3787, Australia

With its origins dating back to the first subdivision in Sassafras in 1893, this endearing family home on over half an acre of stunning grounds is pretty as a picture, both inside and out. Perfectly positioned in one of Sassafras’s best streets and magnificently oriented for winter sun and summer shade, the home with striking western red cedar façade seamlessly blends modern comfort with classic character with a series of original elements delivering timeless beauty within its thoughtful two storey layout.
With an emphasis on supreme liveability, relaxed family comfort and year-round enjoyment, a collection of flowing living and dining zones cater to every family occasion and requirement with lashings of light dancing on parquetry and Tasmanian Oak floors via lavish panes. Expanded, reimagined and beautifully maintained over many chapters, “Hethersett” is now seeking new custodians to preserve her glory for years to come.

Sophisticated socialising and serene relaxation is achieved through a variety of sunlit living zones beginning with a generous living/dining domain accented by luxe Axminster carpet and ornate original fireplace framed in Edwardian marble. From here, French doors invite you to the all-season deck or through to the family room with a solid iron Masport pot belly fire. You can also reach the family room via the garage courtesy of a striking copper lift door believed to be from the old Tivoli theatre.
Step up to the sun-kissed kitchen boasting solid marble bench tops, deluxe 900mm English Belling stove and a farmhouse sink that drinks in glorious garden vistas. Bathed in winter sun, an adjacent sunroom with lavish floor to ceiling windows is the perfect spot to curl up with your favourite chapters snuggled by the wood fire. More French doors guide you to a cosy lounge fondly coined the “blue room” which can be shut off from the world to soak up the beautiful original fireplace, leadlight and sash windows, mid-century Edwardian lights and exquisite ceiling rose. Accommodation is spread over two levels with a master retreat with ensuite and walk-in robe and a fourth bedroom housed upstairs garnishing glimpses of the twinkling Melbourne lights. Two bedrooms downstairs share a family bathroom.

Enjoy seamless transition to a serene multi-climate deck from each of the living zones with blinds to enjoy the outdoors regardless of the weather. The lush and layered backyard cascades over many levels with buffalo grass lawn framed by manicured garden beds blooming with perennials, drifts of bulbs and many rare species of Dahlias and hydrangeas where you can indulge in a daily bouquet. Stately trees shade the gardens come summer including Canadian maple, oak, copper beech and a century old Himalayan Ash and Variegated elm tree. Stretch your green thumb, spend lazy weekends by the firepit, watch the kids play and run around in the fresh air immersed in nature or sneak away to one of the many quiet retreats that dot the grounds to soak up the peace and serenity. The picturesque low-traffic road is family-friendly and community-oriented boasting a 10 minute walk to iconic Proserpina Bakery or to Sassafras village via the bush track. Restaurants, cafes and boutiques are all within reach and the school runs a breeze with Sherbrooke Community School less than a kilometre away with Sassafras Primary and Ferny Creek Primary reachable within 5-minutes. Weekend pursuits will never be in question, with a collective of family-friendly playgrounds, recreational reserves and local scenic walking trails to experience and the station at Upper Ferntree Gully is just 7km away.

At a Glance:
• Four-bedroom, two bathroom two-storey residence circa 1895 on a private 2296m2.
• Beautifully expanded and restored with numerous modern enhancements blending with character features for family comfort.
• Period elements include high ceilings and impressive entrance foyer framed by original French hand etched glass front door, the original natural stone foundations and stone chimney, lead light windows, ceiling cornices/roses and solid wooden doors.
• Red cedar façade in original hills colours with tessellated tiled entry.
• Original fireplace in lounge, potbelly stove in the family room and a wood heater in the sunroom.
• Handcrafted leadlight cabinets in the kitchen.
• 120 square metres of freshly sanded parquetry flooring.
• Gas ducted heating and reverse cycle air conditioning for seasonal comfort plus ducted vacuum system (new pipes required).
• The downstairs mud room/laundry and English Royal Doulton toilet will be a talking point among guests!
• Large attic storage that could be used to increase the upstairs footprint.
• Ample under house rooms including a workshop and the former cellar.
• Sealed driveway leading to a double lockup garage with remote controlled doors, internal entry to the laundry and reclaimed timber detail.
• Chicken house, bird aviary, potting shed and a well-established fire pit perfect for bonfires.
• Woodshed and ample wood.
• Substantial manicured gardens of lush rolling lawns established mature gardens, ponds and sprawling deciduous trees lovingly curated by a long-standing member of The Ferny Creek Horticultural Society.
• Rose garden at the entrance and flourishing lemon and tamarillo trees.
• Spotlights light up the rear gardens at night creating a magical atmosphere.
• Underground electricity.