8 Acacia Street, Elsternwick, VIC, 3185, Australia

Celebrating a sublime synthesis of Victorian-era grace with contemporary style and sophistication, this former Rippon Lea Estate gardener’s cottage has been gloriously reimagined to inspire refined and relaxed indoor/outdoor family living and entertaining in a blue-chip lifestyle location, just metres to Rippon Lea village and station.

Picture-perfectly set behind a white picket fence, the delightful ‘contemporary cottage’ style gardens pay homage to the freestanding weatherboard home’s circa-1890s heritage and introduces the captivating fusion of ‘old-meets-new’ design elements found throughout the completely renovated property. Reclaimed Baltic pine floorboards, high ceilings with decorative roses, and the original fireplace all endorse the Victorian tradition, while plantation shutters, crisp white-on-white paintwork, and a hand-blown designer pendant in the central hallway add contemporary appeal. There are three light-filled bedrooms in the front section of the home, including the north facing main which has a wall of built-In robes, linen sheers and block-out blinds. Resplendent with floor-to-ceiling hand-cut Spanish tiles, and illuminated with skylights, the luxe bathroom has a walk-in dual-head rain shower, a twin stone vanity and reeded glass window. Marking the transition from the old home to the new, full-height custom glass and powder coat steel door, which is both beautiful and practical, allowing to zone the rear section from the front, ideal for entertaining, and also for reduction of energy bills. A feature wall of hand-trowelled lime plaster is matched by the kitchen splashback, while designer mood-lighting and large format skylights enhances the gallery-like living and dining space helmed with the sleek gourmet kitchen, featuring a stone island bench/breakfast bar and equipped with high-end Bosch appliances including an induction cooktop, 900mm oven and integrated dishwasher.

Framed by two pairs of oversized glass and steel French Doors, the light-filled open-plan living/dining area’s outlook is to the glorious private rear garden, featuring a hand-laid brick outdoor fireplace, a delightful decades-old pear tree, and bluestone crazy paving. The blackbutt alfresco deck incorporates a built-in barbecue, while a custom aluminium baton structure conceals the garden shed and matches the highly-considered materials and colour palette.

Additional features include an integrated central reverse cycle heating/cooling system, a Euro laundry, secure off-street parking, plus two street parking permits. This outstanding pocket of Elsternwick is neighboured by the illustrious mansion and grounds of the Rippon Lea Estate and just a 3-minute walk to Ripponlea Station as well as choice of shops, cafes and restaurants, including world-renowned Attica. It’s also close to Brighton Road trams, Elsternwick Village, and a choice of leading schools including Caulfield Grammar, Shelford Girls’ Grammar and Elsternwick Montessori.