Old meets new in wonderful Walkerville
Located in Adelaide’s exclusive city fringe suburb of Walkerville, this 1925 bungalow features a luxurious modern extension and is now on the market with a price tag of more than $2.68 million.
For business owner Leigh Chinn, it was the prime location and endless renovation possibilities that first drew him to 3 Smith Street, Walkerville some 13 years ago.
The serenity of the suburb, with its picturesque tree-lined streets, and the spacious size of the block, were major selling points.
“A big asset (of the home) is the area of Walkerville and the convenience,” says Leigh.
With his background in construction and renovation, Leigh saw the opportunity to transform the property with a stylish contemporary addition.
“I came up with a design and chose all the materials and selections,” he says.
Leigh says that maximising living space and creating a low-maintenance property were priorities.
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He took inspiration from modern style homes in the United Kingdom and Los Angeles, combining traditional elements with contemporary flair.
“I visited a few other builders and showrooms, and I also consulted with my carpenter, who is from the UK,” he says.
“The facade was still very traditional. So, inside, we used some of the details that you can see from mansions and castles in the UK … so, it’s a mix of modern and traditional, but the traditional is only in minor details.
“Overall, the design is very modern.”
Leigh wanted to have unique styles in different parts of the house, as can be seen in the bathroom with its frameless showers and Italian travertine on the main wall and floor.
Set on 932 square metres, the 1925-built home includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms and space for up to four cars.
The house features herringbone direct-stick timber flooring, while the master bedroom has a spacious en suite and walk-in wardrobe.
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At the rear of the home, the light-filled, open-plan living and dining area measures an impressive 30-by-9 metres, while the soaring ceilings reach 3.6 metres in height.
Leigh says this open plan space is his children’s favourite area, where they enjoy riding their bikes.
“From inside the house, you can look out at the backyard, which is like a picture frame with vegetation and bamboo,” he says.
One of the first things Leigh did when he moved in was re-landscape the garden, which includes oriental pear trees and different levels of hedging.
Another highlight of the garden is the concrete seating in the front yard.
Leigh struggles to name his favourite feature of his home; he loves it all.
“To be honest, if you walk in from the front door or the front gate, I couldn’t imagine any part that is not my favourite. The property’s been completely redesigned with considerations in every area and every corner of the house,” he says.
But with the different lifestyle needs of his family and frequent overseas travel, the Chinns have now moved interstate.
Leigh says he will miss the serenity of Walkerville the most.
“Every day you walk through the front gate, it gives you peace of mind,” he says.
The sale of 3 Smith Street, Walkerville, is being handled by Ryan Yuan and Lalita Yuan of Toop + Toop.
