The Richardson family wanted a new home in 2003, so they decided to demolish their 1920s residence and rebuild. Having spent
about seven years in Hilary Grove, they loved the quiet cul-de-sac and knew the best attributes of the block.

The design brief for Canny was relatively simple, but the result is far from ordinary. The Richardsons wanted a ? ve-bedroom home that the children could bring their friends to. The C-shaped courtyard to the side of their old home had to stay in the new design because they used it all the time, and the new house had to work around the tennis court they had put at the rear of the block of about 1444 square metres.

Owner Robin Richardson says through the design stage the building team provided practical ideas and tailored the new house to the needs of her busy, growing family. “It’s a very straightforward and practical house,” says Robin.

The house may be practical, but it’s certainly not banal. A French provincial overtone carries through from the façade to the internal ? nishes, such as the parquetry ? ooring, the sweeping staircase with a custom-made, wroughtiron balustrade and wrought-iron chandeliers in the front reception rooms.

Robin chose a neutral colour scheme because it wouldn’t date.

Continuity is another strong theme, such as the stone Italiana bench tops that are in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.

The planning was so succinct that every inch of the space has a distinct purpose. Living areas are divided into adults’ and children’s spaces, plus a large, open-plan communal area. “My favourite space is the back room because that’s where we live.

The kids can go off to their own spaces, but if we’re all there it’s big enough to hold us all,” says Robin. “If we have guests we are always in the back room, not in the formal dining room.”

This area integrates a fully-equipped kitchen with a huge island bench and arcs around the side courtyard. There’s a Jetmaster ? replace with a niche above for a television, and picture windows either side. To the right, French doors
open to the courtyard and a self-cleaning heated pool, while to the left, concertina doors fold back to a rear terrace and the tennis court.

A feature wall of blue tiles contrasted against timber batons appears to surge out of the pool. To the side is a barbecue area and a pool house with a gym, powder room and climatecontrolled cellar.

Every conceivable mod con has been included, from the ? ve bedrooms with en suites to the smart wiring. “It’s mind-blowing when you look at the switchboard, but the smart wiring is so easy to use. It has the capacity to do whatever you want,” says Robin.

The hardest thing the new owner will have to do is unpack before enjoying the luxurious surroundings. mwm

At a glance

3 Hilary Grove, Glen Iris
BEDROOMS: Five.
BATHROOMS: Five.
LIVING AREAS: Formal living room, open-plan living and dining and top-?oor family room.
THE REST: Formal dining room, study with automated projector screen, gym with powder room, fully ? tted climatecontrolled wine cellar, mod grass northsouth tennis court with non-re? ective lighting, self-cleaning heated pool with water feature, double automatic garage, smart wiring, ? tted laundry, zoned reverse-cycle heating and cooling, ducted vacuum, surround sound, fully appointed kitchen with European appliances including Miele coffee machine, data/internet cabling, automatic watering system, paved courtyard with built-in barbecue and closed circuit TV/security system.
PRICE: $3 million plus.
AUCTION: June 18 at 11am.
AGENT: Kay & Burton, 9820 1111.