Among The Gumtrees
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday August 28, 2002
THIS Tingira Heights house has all the atmosphere and charm of a country retreat but without the hard work that generally goes with caring for an acreage.
The picture-perfect three bedroom plus study Storybook Cottage stands high above a bushland reserve gully ringing with the sound of bellbirds.
The rear section of the house block is planted with flowering native shrubs which blend with the bushland reserve leading down to the start of South Creek, the waterway that enters Lake Macquarie at Warners Bay.
The four-year-old house on two main levels is the family home of Greg Essex and Debbie Plath who are moving into Newcastle.
It sits in a quiet cul-de-sac facing north so the livingareas are filled with winter sun.
There is level land to one side for a children's play area and a stampcreted driveway leading to a single garage.
A return timber-decked veranda on three sides of the house gives elevated space to entertain and relax outdoors with a bird's-eye view of the bushland below.
A winding path leads through a landscaped front garden to the entry, off the covered front veranda.
The split-level ground floor living area including the kitchen is floored in a beautiful rich-coloured timber. The sitting area at the front of the cottage is painted a sunny yellow and has a big brick country-style fireplace and high cathedral ceilings.
Also on this level is the master bedroom and the second bedroom, both with built-ins, as well as the tiled bathroom with a timber vanity, a separate toilet and wash-hand basin.
A few steps below is a second level of living space painted wedgewood blue and white with raked ceilings and leading out to the back deck with its serene bushland views.
This space includes a large gleaming white and stainless steel kitchen with a gas cook top, paned glass display cupboard, grey granite-look worktops and a pleasant outlook from the kitchen sink over the surrounding hills and bushland.
The kitchen opens out to the spacious dining area. A large tiled laundry leads off it and accesses the side barbecue deck.
A carpeted flight of stairs leads up from the foyer to the generously-sized loft rooms above.
One is used as a sitting room and study space while the other is the third bedroom, also with a built-in wardrobe.
© 2002 Newcastle Herald