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When Kirrily Hurst first started Suci Potted Plants it was just a small pop-up, however fast forward two years and it’s become a popular destination for plant lovers.

The pop-up was originally located on King William Road, before moving to a permanent location on Goodwood Road in February, 2018.

“My family are plant lovers and my father is a horticulturist, so it’s in the blood,” Kirrily says.

“When I bought my first unit I really started to enjoy and appreciate the benefits of plants.”

As you would expect, Kirrily’s plant obsession doesn’t stop at work – with her beautiful home filled to the brim with luscious plants.

“I love the laundry because it has my rhipsalis collection,” Kirrily says.

“We will be starting on an extension this month, so I can’t wait to have a bigger living area for more plants. They definitely inspire me, I love the look of greenery in the home and natural materials.”

sucipottedplants.com

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WORKLIFE

Owner Suci Potted Plants.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS/BEST KNOWN FOR …

Starting Suci Potted Plants and my lacrosse team making it into the SA Sporting Hall of Fame.

MY HOME IS A …

Place to relax and enjoy with friends and family.

I LIVE WITH …

My partner Ben and my beautiful rescue dogs Brodie, 14, and Jaxon, 5.

I LOVE MY HOME BECAUSE …

It’s ours and we can decorate how we want.

BUT I STILL NEED TO …

Get our living room extension done, starting this month.

MY DECORATING STYLE IS …

Botanical and natural materials.

RECENT PURCHASE

The MRD Home Jasper tan leather chair, Oliver black lamp and XL Monstera Deliciosa.

I COLLECT …

Plants.

FAVOURITE ROOM

The laundry with my rhipsalis collection, plus it’s the first room we’ve renovated.

HOME FAVOURITES

● Relaxing with a glass of wine with Ben (because we both work a lot).

● Brodie because she is over 14 and I know I don’t have a lot of time left with her.

● Our Belinda Bention art.

WHEN I GET HOME AT NIGHT, I …

Put on my ugg boots, I’m not a fan of being cold.

AT WEEKENDS I LIKE TO …

Catch up with friends for a run along the coast and have coffee after, walk the dogs at the beach or find a new trail in the hills we haven’t done and spend time with family and friends.

MY FIRST CAR …

Was a Subaru.

I LIKE TO LISTEN TO …

My old CDs.

AT THE MOMENT I AM READING …

The Boy On the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson.

FAVOURITE FILM

Blade Runner.

CLEAN FREAK OR MESSY BESSIE?

In between.

ON MY WISHLIST IS …

To do a marathon.

WHEN I’M HOME I LIKE TO COOK …

Banana pancakes.

FAV CAFE/RESTAURANT/BAR

Pink Moon Saloon.

FAVOURITE DRINK

Whiskey Sour.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WANTED TO BE …

A fashion designer.

FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY

Going to our Uncle’s farms at Milang.

IF I COULD CHANGE CAREER NOW I WOULD BE …

I wouldn’t.

FAVOURITE SA HOLIDAY SPOT

Deep Creek.

DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Maldives.

FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM

The Matildas.

SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

To grow my business so that I can continue to work doing what I love.

MY NEIGHBOURS ARE …

Really sweet, we love them.

I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT …

Plants and running.

IF I COULD AFFORD IT I WOULD LIVE …

On a farm with a view of the coast on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

HOME MEANS …

Comfort.

The post At home with Suci Potted Plant’s Kirrily Hurst appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Hamilton’s very own castle, found at the heart of the southwest Victorian town, has graced the property market.

Hewlett House, which also has been crowned The Castle in building title documents, is for sale with a $780,000-$840,000 price guide after an impressive transformation.

Charles Stewart Real Estate agent Penny Adamson said the 1876 property at 36 Gray Street was instantly recognised by locals walking down the main street.

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“It’s a rare and unique opportunity to purchase such beautiful architecture in the middle of Hamilton,” Ms Adamson said.

“The current owners purchased the property in 2004 and they’ve lovingly restored it, put in a beautiful new kitchen, new ensuites and carpet.”

The vendors also hired local cabinetry company Unicraft to add quality storage and shelving throughout the home, which has created an impressive library.

Other features include a formal entrance hall with a traditional archway and leadlight windows, three living rooms, an underground cellar and a separate home office.

The 892sq m block also offers large private gardens that wrap around the five-bedroom Italianate house.

A City of Hamilton conservation study by the South Grampians Shire Council shows the property was originally built for local doctor Edmund Vialls by architect William Holden.

Ms Adamson said the property could also be transformed for commercial use, just like a similar building in Hamilton called Roxburgh House had been used.

“But so far interest has all come from residential buyers, who have adored the architectural prominence of the property,” she said.

The vendors downsizing from the large property, which they bought in 2004.

It’s for sale via a private sales campaign.

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The post The Castle: Hamilton’s main street landmark home for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

When you look at the professional runs on the board Nick and Phillipa Tayler have, it comes as no surprise that their Mosman home is bursting with artistic flair.

Mr Tayler is an architect with 30 years’ experience and Mrs Tayler a social worker, artist and art therapist, who has worked and volunteered for in the health, welfare and educational sectors for more than 25 years.

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They have owned 30A Mandolong Rd, since 1994, and over the decades have renovated, creating a cherished family home where they have raised three daughters and collected countless memories.

The striking design features extensive use of glass, louvres and balconies to create a luxury home with a beach house that is full of light, sea breezes and wonderful views to Balmoral.

The beach itself is an easy 250m walk away, and the Taylers have loved being able to walk to the water with their kayaks.

“This house is exceedingly easy to live in,” Mrs Tayler said. “As our family has grown the house has been able to evolve with us.”

The couple’s artistic touch is everywhere in the home – even the heated plunge pool with swim jets and spa is a visual pleasure thanks to the walls of glass that line one side of the rumpus room.

It creates a clever frame for the pool and its sandstone wall, turning it into a water feature you can swim in.

Other features include a versatile studio/office/gym, artist’s studio and double carport. The property is for sale by expressions of interest, closing on September 30.

Jacqui Rowland-Smith, of Di Jones Mosman, has set a price guide of $5.75 million to $5.95 million.

She said the uniqueness of the design was attracting plenty of attention from buyers all over Sydney.

“The architecture is so clever with the way the owners have utilised the aspect and the Balmoral views,” she said.

The property is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11.30am-12.15pm. Private inspections are also available.

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The post Mosman home is a beautiful work of living art thanks to its creative owners appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A ‘grape’ opportunity has cropped up for those in search of either a country escape where they can ‘wine’ down or a chance to pursue a career as a vintner.

The ‘sip-erb’ Auburn property at 5397 Balaklava Road that is home to a quaint stone cottage and vineyard has hit the market for the first time in 24 years.

The 16.34ha estate, which includes 2.02ha of established shiraz vineyard and another 1.42ha ready to be planted, is listed with a call for best offers, starting at the high $700,000 mark.

Selling agent Julie Gabe, of Elders Real Estate Clare Valley-Burra, said the owner bought the property in 1996 as a place to retire, then poured his heart and soul into building the three-bedroom Cape Cod-style home.

“He went out and hand picked the stone for the property to be built from the local quarry,” she said.

“The home has got a real country feel – it has got a real warmth and character to it.”

Cathedral ceilings, exposed wooden beams and lattice windows characterise the two-storey home.

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Half of the ground floor is dedicated to an open kitchen, living and dining area, while two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and laundry occupy the other half.

The main bedroom, a family room and small bathroom are on the top floor.

Ms Gabe said sprawling views of the Clare Valley on offer upstairs were a highlight of the property.

“The views are to die for,” she said.

The property also has two sheds, one of which was designed to be used for winemaking and the other a workshop.

The cropped land is currently tended to by a Balaklava farmer and the vineyard is looked after by Kilikanoon Wines.

Ms Gabe said the property’s new owner could continue with the existing arrangement to make a little bit of money or pursue their own venture if they wanted.

The post Auburn acreage estate comes with country cottage and shiraz vineyard appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Melbourne’s stage four lockdown has cut the state’s new house sales by more than 14 per cent in the past month.

The Housing Industry Association has warned the figures will prompt a construction slowdown and that interstate builders are already advertising to poach tradies, with many expected to leave by the end of the year.

HIA’s New Home Sales report released on Wednesday shows a 14.4 per cent decline in Victorian new home sales last month.

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HIA chief economist Tim Reardon warned they expected worse figures in September, with their report surveying key building groups responsible for one in four of the state’s new homes.

Of the five states covered, Victoria was the only one to record a decline in August.

Sales in Queensland surged 19.1 per cent, New South Wales was up 11.7 per cent, Western Australia added 11.4 per cent to its July tally and South Australian sales rose 7.4 per cent.

Mr Reardon said the nationwide figures showed the impact the federal government’s $25,000 HomeBuilder grants would have on the building economy and employment.

Builders in other states would begin poaching Victorian tradies before the end of 2020, and he said he had seen jobs advertised in other states offering six months guaranteed work and accommodation including pay during quarantine periods.

“But Victoria has missed that surge in August and we are expecting that they will miss further sales in September, which means there is a very small window for Victorians to access HomeBuilder,” Mr Reardon said.

“Victorian home building has been a driver of national economic growth over much of the past decade, and it’s certainly a concern that its outlook in the short term is poor.”

A sharp rebound in October and November could get things back on track, but this would depend on many variables, he added.

HIA Victorian executive director Fiona Nield said the first step to rebuilding the lost sales and Victoria’s building economy was to allow safe access to display homes.

Under the government’s current road map to recovery, this could not happen until at least October 26.

“We would hope the government could see their way clear to safely reopening display homes before October 26,” Ms Nield said.

Volume home builder Porter Davis’ general manager of sales and marketing Shaun Patterson said while hundreds of buyers had proceeded to contracts without physical contact with the firm, an extension to HomeBuilder may need to be a part of the state’s recovery.

“We are having lots of people buying the house all through the digital world,” Mr Patterson said.

“But Porter Davis would agree with an extension (to HomeBuilder).”

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The post Stage four lockdown cuts Victoria’s new home sales by 14.4 per cent appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A Townsville house on 13 acres has hit the market, complete with its own professional motocross track.

That same track has been given a test-run by one of the world’s top MotoGP champions. Located at 28 Granitevale Road in Alice River, the sprawling property is being marketed as the “Australian dream with enough space for children to be children”.

And while the motocross track would be enough to get any red-blooded kids heart (and motor) racing, that is not the only fun feature that this property boasts.

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Inside the four bedroom, AP Williams & Co designed house is an activity room and a large theatre room – perfect escapes for those stinking hot and muggy days that are on their way.

But it is outside this property truly shines as the ultimate playground.

In addition to the motocross track is a large in-ground swimming pool, a huge deck, a large outdoor entertaining area complete with an outdoor kitchen and built-in gas barbecue, a dam and a gym (equipment included) inside a Colorbond shed with power and lighting.

As for the residence, it is 400sqm under roof and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms,

spacious open-plan living areas including 3.1m high ceilings in the main living area, a study and airconditioning.

The master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe, a large ensuite with a spa, a double vanity and a double shower.

One of the three bathrooms has a gas instantaneous unit to guarantee hot water, even when the power goes out.

The kitchen has an integrated fridge and dish drawer, V-Zug appliances, a large butler’s pantry with sink and room for a dishwasher.

Other outdoor features include a solar system, a bore with a new submersible pump, automated irrigation with pop-up sprinklers to over 50 per cent of the 13 acre property and two 30,000 litre water tanks.

The property is owned by Steve Hannah of Hannahbull Hydro Excavations and wife Sharni (nee Williams), the granddaughter of Alexander Park (AP) Williams, who founded AP Williams & Co in 1932.

Mrs Hannah, who designed the house, said Townsville-born world Moto-GP champion Jack Miller had taken a few spins around the track, as had her nephew, Kayden Downing, who is now racing in the US.

It is listed with husband and wife duo and Open Property Townsville agents Michael Gilbertson and Carrie Hubert.

“Open Property have had the opportunity to sell some fantastic acreage properties however this one is something very special, this might be North Queensland’s best back yard,” Ms Hubert said.

“It isn’t often you find a home built of this size and quality that features a professionally built moto cross track, in-ground swimming pool and purpose built dam.

“The residence has been live on line for 24 hours and we are already receiving a number of inquiries.”

The post The Townsville designer home and acreage complete with its own motocross track appeared first on realestate.com.au.

WHEN Frank Bowling and Barbara Makepeace designed their dream home on Tasmania’s East Coast they truly left no stone unturned.

From sustainable living building principles to carefully selected materials, from the inspired floorplans to the orientation of the house, every inch of the property was well considered and then built with a craftsman’s eye for detail.

The definition of a dream home will vary from person to person, and for Frank and Barbara this ocean-side coastal home was their dream.

They bought the land about five years ago after finding it “almost by chance”.

Frank said they knew it was the place for them immediately after laying eyes on the glorious, almost 180-degree ocean views.

“We designed the house with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise those views,” he said.

“It is paradise. You can watch the waves breaking and the whales swimming past each year.”

Frank described the home as particularly well built.

“With its insulation properties, orientation and passive solar design we don’t need any heating or cooling, aside from occasionally running a fire if there is an extended run of wet weather, ” he said.

“The walls of the house are about 500mm thick and are made from a rather attractive looking rammed earth and concrete block that looks similar to sandstone.

“Some of the internal walls are lined with limestone, which makes large feature walls.

“And we have a sliding barn door design for the internal doors.”

Frank said the home had a large thermal mass and was completely soundproof, too.

“To hear the waves you have to open a door or crack a window open,” he said.

“The windows, a German design, have a two-way action to swing open or lean back.”

Barbara and Frank named their property Wombat Cove, inspired by the location and the visitors that come by the property.

Less than two hour’s drive from Launceston, 15 minutes to Scamander or 20 to St Marys, this property feels peaceful and private, yet not isolated.

Its absolute coastal frontage includes private beach access.

Indoors or out, there are myriad vantage points from which to enjoy the location.

Inside the house, living and dining areas are highlighted by spotted gum floors that flow to fabulous decks.

One in particular that grabs they eye is a sheltered retreat that is the ultimate indoor-outdoor room.

The house has tall ceilings that give the interiors a spacious, light and airy feel.

An entry foyer is positioned near the centre of the home.

To one side there is a laundry and then the master bedroom suite with an impressive ensuite and the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe.

On the other side of the foyer there is a splendid median room/home office, the main bathroom, a bedroom — both bedrooms boast unforgettable views — and the open-plan living zone, including the kitchen.

Equipped with European appliances — Miele and Siemens — the chic kitchen features stone surfaces, an island bench and ample storage.

The home office is enhanced by 60Mbps fixed wireless broadband and the property has ethernet cabling and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.

Back outside there are landscaped areas, a dam filled 24,000-litre water tank, an automated irrigation system, a secure double garage and a workshop.

There is a separate self-contained studio (calling all handymen and artists, this spot’s for you) a 7.8m x 5.7m space with a sun deck and the property’s third bathroom.

Barbara, a trained horticulturalist, has created absolutely spectacular gardens, primarily with Australian natives, alongside extensive vegetable gardens inside pest-proof enclosures. And there is a small vineyard, too.

The orchard is home to cherries, figs, apricots, lemons, passionfruit, berries and much more.

While the impressive features of this property also include 90,000 litres of rainwater storage, three-phase underground power, extensive solar panels, historic sealers’ walls, a Nectre fireplace and a pizza oven, it might be the location and the views that are the elements that stay with you the longest.

No.21428 Tasman Highway at Four Mile Creek is listed with Knight Frank and will be sold by expressions of interest.

The post Watch whales swim by from your deck on the East Coast appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Viewbank has been crowned Melbourne’s speediest property market, with houses typically flying off the shelves in less than three weeks.

Houses sold in a median of 17 days over the past year in the popular suburb, which agents say is being buoyed by leafy streets and top schools.

Realestate.com.au data shows North Warrandyte and Seddon houses were also snapped up at rapid rates, notching sales at a median of 18.5 and 19.5 days respectively.

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Properties in Melbourne’s northeast dominated the list of the city’s fastest-selling suburbs, with speedy deals also recorded in Watsonia, Heidelberg and Heidelberg Heights.

Jellis Craig Eltham director Aaron Yeats credited Viewbank’s quick transactions to the area’s top-quality schools.

“Viewbank College is particularly very sought after, and even the local primary school is highly regarded,” Mr Yeats said.

“It definitely is selling a little faster than the suburbs surrounding and I think the reason is the suburb and the school zone are quite tight. So when properties do come up, people are keen to buy when they can.”

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee agreed, noting the fast-selling suburbs pointed towards strong interest in family homes.

“Particularly with the suburbs in the northeast – they are all areas that are leafy and have great access to public transport, but also offer great affordability,” Ms Conisbee said.

Viewbank houses have a $980,000 median sale price, according to realestate.com.au data.

While she expected Victoria’s stage four real estate restrictions to extend the time properties spent on the market, she said it wasn’t curbing buyer interest.

“The issue isn’t demand, because we can see people are still looking at houses,” she said. “It’s just increasingly difficult to make that transaction at the moment.”

For units, Sunbury scored the fastest sales of the past year in a median of 22 days, followed by Clifton Hill and Elwood at 27 days.

Blackbird and Wren Real Estate director Ben Roberts said demand had been strong for several years for Sunbury units, which were attracting first-home buyers and those looking to downsize.

“It’s not unheard of for a well-placed unit in Sunbury to sell after just a few days or a week on the market,” Mr Roberts said.

He said the market might see an upswing in fast-paced sales after lockdown, as budding first-home buyers who had been forced to put their purchasing plans on hold flooded back into the market.

christina.karras@news.com.au

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HOUSES

(Suburb, median number of days on market)

1. Viewbank, 17

2. North Warrandyte, 18.5

3. Seddon, 19.5

4. Watsonia, 19.5

5. Dingley Village, 21

6. Murrumbeena, 22

7. Heidelberg, 23

8. Woori Yallock, 23

9. Bayswater, 24.5

10. Heidelberg Heights, 24.5

UNITS

(Suburb, median number of days on market)

1. Sunbury, 22

2. Clifton Hill, 27

3. Elwood, 27

4. Balaclava, 27.5

5. Balwyn North, 29

6. Bayswater North, 29

7. Bentleigh, 29.5

8. East Melbourne, 30

9. Ferntree Gully, 30

10. Kew, 30

Source: realestate.com.au

The post Melbourne’s fastest-selling suburbs: Viewbank, North Warrandyte top list appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A riverside pocket in Belmont has proved hot property with a quick sale setting a street price record.

Six potential buyers had emerged days in to the campaign to sell the renovated four-bedroom house at 22 Riverview Terrace.

The 560sq m property was scheduled to be auctioned in October, but McGrath, Geelong agent David Cortous was forced to bring the sale forward due to the huge amount of interest.

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Mr Cortous said two buyers from Melbourne, who had were unable to inspect the property due to the stage four lockdown in the capital, drove the early running for the two-storey house 250m from the Barwon River bank.

But a Geelong family’s bid of $1.26 million proved the strongest.

The sale price was $60,000 above the top end of the quoted $1.1m to $1.2m price range.

“The house is beautiful — a great floorplan and it was executed beautifully and it obviously had the location,” Mr Cortous said.

“Riverview Terrace is the premium street of Belmont and it right near the river there. The house had been beautifully rebuilt and saw a record price.”

The open-plan living area offers a large indoor-outdoor family space and the kitchen has stone benchtops, double Siemens ovens and a butler’s pantry with floor to ceiling cabinetry.

The main bedroom upstairs has a private balcony, ensuite and sitting room or home office.

It’s the fourth house in Riverview Terrace to sell for more than $1 million and Belmont’s second million-dollar sale in 2020.

Earlier, vendors who had spent to two years renovating a 1920s residence at 113 Roslyn Rd sold for $1.18 million.

The house, which occupies a 830sq m corner block at Cambridge St, sold in July.

Belmont’s median house price has climbed 9.2 per cent in the past 12 months to $580,000, Hometrack data shows.

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The post Belmont: Riverside house beats price hopes by $60K as six bidders swoop before auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

CONTROVERSIAL political adviser James Ashby has embarked on a renewed push to sell his investment property in the central Queensland coastal town of Yeppoon.

The block of four townhouses, which is owned by the right-hand man to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, is back on the market with a new asking price of offers over $440,000 with Harcourts Yeppoon.

It had previously been listed for sale with another agency for $425,000 earlier this year, and before that, $455,000.

The new listing describes the property at Raymond Terrace as “designed and built to capture the sea view and sea breezes” and “perfect for first entry level buyers, investors and buyers hoping to downsize”.

“The units have always had long term reliable tenants and have been well maintained and cared for over the years”.

The complex consists of three, two-bedroom townhouses with open-plan living and kitchen areas, and one, one-bedroom townhouse on the ground floor.

The building is situated on a quiet street with accommodation for two cars and within walking distance to town and the beach.

The staffer recently made headlines again when it was reported he was suing the Commonwealth for $3.67 million in costs incurred in litigation against former speaker Peter Slipper for alleged sexual harassment in 2012.

The post One Nation identity puts unit block back on the market appeared first on realestate.com.au.