Elegance behind quirky Californian Bungalow style

Those shingles under the eaves and broad columns are clearly speaking to the Californian Bungalow style, but there's more to this house, and this is a very modest facade to a grand family home in the leafy and picturesque Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe.

The street is quiet, the position is elevated, and the views go for miles. Such is the appeal of these inner-Yarra Valley suburbs, less than a half hour's commute from the city, but with a tranquil feel. It reminds you of the Hollywood Hills out here - great views, leafy streets, the hustle and bustle just minutes by car, but a world away.

This wonderfully renovated home displays a few of the characteristics of house design that I've come to love in my travels through hundreds of properties as a real estate copywriter. And they're not all about size, or grandeur, or even striking views. Some are quite mundane, yet important on a daily living basis, and that, after all, is what we have to do in our homes - live in them.

Look at the kitchen here:

That intriguing island design at the room's centre column is actually very clever. Why? Well think about how you entertain and cook in a kitchen - you're chopping veggies, or pouring glasses of your favourite chardonnay, and while you're doing that, you're probably watching the TV, or talking to a friend about what a day you had. Both of these are outside the kitchen - in the living room. So this kitchen allows you to do your culinary thing and attend whatever else is going on. It's a really simple thing, and very common, but easily overlooked. (By the way - you see how the stove is in the opposite position - this works too - when cooking on the stove, you really need to concentrate a bit more... so distractions are best avoided!)

Here's a nice picture of the back yard, from the pool. The sense of space is highlighted here by having the pool extend from the house into the back corner of the yard, giving both length to the pool, and depth to the vision. It's nice. It looks great (it's why I chose this photo).

Here's what I really want in my home - a study with bookshelves and a nice garden view. Plus a couch to kick back on and watch a movie when I should be working. Why don't more houses have these?

Formal lounges and dining rooms are a bit old-hat these days, with a preference for open-plan living, however I think there is real value in the design. Not for nothing was it considered proper to have a 'drawing room' where one could retire with friends after dinner for a glass of whisky (or sherry) and discuss the world. It makes sense to draw the day to the close with friends, and to do it in style. Don't ever put a TV in these rooms, it would spoil it. So, big points for old-fashioned home design here, long may it last.

That's a few thoughts on this great home. There's more detail of course (I spent a while looking through this one), and if you want to buy it, it's going to auction on the 4th of March. Agent: Nelson Alexander. More details here.