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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE &GARDEN| 77
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ometimes, the stars align and fate steps in,
showing you exactly where you need to be. For
Melburnians Joanne and Craig, buying this
beautiful terrace in the city’s east began with a
serendipitous parking spot in 2009.
Hong Kong-based at the time, Joanne was visiting
Melbourne for three whirlwind days of back-to-back
appointments. “I parked in a street lined with elegant
terraces, across from a gorgeous park, and imagined
how wonderful life could be here – kids climbing trees,
playing cricket, picnics with friends, revelling in the
open space. Then I noticed that one of the houses had a
‘For Sale’ sign,” says Joanne.
Craig made a follow-up trip to inspect the house. He
loved how light the home was, the generous proportions
of the rooms, and the abundance of surrounding greenery,
but what really captivated him was its proximity to
Melbourne’s cultural and sports centres. After winning
the house at auction, the couple rented it out until they
could return to Melbourne, which they and their children- Sophia, now12, and Xavier, nine – did in2012.
The layout would do for the moment, but some elements
of the1970s decor would not. “We always knew we would
need to renovate,” says Joanne. “The kitchen was tiny,
but I could live with it. I just couldn’t live with all the
Mission Brown tapware.” They did what they could,
including changing the tapware and installing >