Eton my heart out..

Unassuming exterior

Going straight out to buy a tatts ticket now that I've seen 4 Eton Court Heidelberg! Wow. Designed by Architect Charles Duncan and built in 1964, this home is a testament that good design - in terms of both layout and materials - will stand the test of time.

Not only is it in immaculate original condition thanks to the loving care provided by its one owner - it's also huge!! It's a similar design to a home I previously featured in Seymour Grove, Viewbank. Lots of pictures today as they are all so fabulous!

Beautifully detailed breakfast bar

The 50 year old kitchen is contemporary even by today's standards

Charles Duncan worked on quite a few influential homes in the Banyule area and was clearly influenced by the work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. You can see FLW's influence in the selection of materials, strong emphasis on the horizontal plane and stepping of the building to follow the contours of the land. 

Unusual pyramid-esque timber lined ceiling

Built in furniture & pelmet lighting in Master Bedroom

Mosaic tiles to family bathroom

Light flooded walkway to kids bedroom 'wing'

Fabulous original bunk rooms - just like a holiday house! (All images courtesy Nelson Alexander Ivanhoe)

Big thanks to KS for the tip off on this house!

Pocket Sized

For those looking for a mid-century home on a budget: a couple of apartments are currently up for sale in these groovy apartment blocks...

5/176 Lower Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe East - you can see more of the great brickwork on this apartment here.
 

Image courtesy Miles Real Estate

1/103 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg  (seems this one may have already sold)

Image courtesy Miles Real Estate

Lord of Buckingham Drive

If you can't quite afford the impressive Banyule Homestead at 60-74 Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg....
 

Banyule Homestead - Image courtesy Jellis Craig

you might want to check out this other less expensive, slightly less impressive, but no less original home 60's/70's abode at 55 Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg. I've been watching this property and it has been on the market a while now - just waiting for the right person with the right 'vision' perhaps?

Street Appeal

Original Living Room!

Love the original timber paneling - Would even look great painted white! All images courtesy Miles Real Estate

Yes Bronte!

I was very excited to see the listing at 25 Bronte Street, Heidelberg last month as it was clear from the photos that this home had been put together by a lover of 'retro' and 'mid-century modernism'. Filled with brave colour and design that enhances the good 'bones' of the building, a fairly humble 50's weatherboard home has been elevated to a stand out property. Bravo owners!!

Fantastic Bold External Colour Scheme - Contemporary but also Enhances the existing Character of the Facade

Key Colour Red brought through to the living room.

and Kitchen - Lovely new plywood ceiling too!

Brave bathroom tiles! - Images courtesy Barry Plant Ivanhoe.

The King of Buckingham

Recently I was reminded of this amazing house at 79-81 Buckingham Drive Heidelberg that came up for sale in October 2009. Unfortunately I didn't go to see it at the time but I remember how spectacular it looked when I saw it online. The rooms are spread over 3 luxurious levels, and include plenty of undercover parking, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a inground pool with cabana. It was designed by Building Designer/Architect Sol Sapir and built in 1971.

I have a hazy recollection that it may have been used in the telemovie 'The King' about Graham Kennedy and starring Stephen Curry. Please feel free to confirm or deny in the comments if you saw the movie or can vouch for the rumor!

Fantastic to see a home of this vintage updated sympathetically. This is exactly what we love to see at Banyule Modern!!

Images Jellis Craig Real Estate

 

Heidelberg Beginner

(images courtesy Ray White Heidelberg)

I thought this unit at 4/18-20 Rosanna Road, Heidelberg would be a goodie for first home buyers. It's getting pretty tough to buy a house as your first foray into home ownership but this tidy little retro unit has direct access to parklands behind giving you the feeling of a lot more space than what is on the title (and you don't need to mow the park!!)

Potential grooviness in kitchen - just add some colour to the walls!

secret garden / access to parklands

Buzby Berkeley

Another home in the green belt area is 72 Berkeley Avenue, Heidelberg. I saw it a little while ago but it slipped off my radar. Perhaps worth a look now (seeing as we are in the area!)...

(All images courtesy Miles Real Estate)

Banyule Homestead controversy

Thoughts about the controversial plan to subdivide land surrounding historic Banyule Homestead for three new townhouses: 

What will the townhouses look like? 
Please no periana / repro / neo-classical facadism, I just couldn't cope!!! How about something sympathetic, yet contemporary to juxtapose with the simplicity of the Elizabethan homestead? This is afterall the preferred way of siting new building works with heritage significant ones.

My other concern is that $400,000 will not go far on restoration works, particularly when the developer stands to make considerably more profit here....

Back in Fasham

Now, I know that strictly speaking this is a website celebrating Mid Century design in Banyule but I also aim to promote good design principals such as passive solar orientation, honesty to materials and indigenous gardens.

All Images from Jellis Craig

This newly listed Fasham Johnson residence at 7 Yellowbox Terrace, Heidelberg meets these criteria and clearly the vendors have an appreciation of Mid Century design - evident in their furnishings and personal items. The house is listed with Jellis Craig.

M, maybe not

M and I went to the open of 174 Hawdon Street Heidelberg over the looong weekend. We were seduced by the optimism of the 50's Modernist facade but were quickly disappointed once inside. Those bricks don't even go "all the way up". Can't judge a book by its cover eh?

Front Facade - So Sunny and Sweet (Courtesy Bedford Dewar)