Newspaper Article 2017 – Art Deco retreat

Art Deco retreat

By Kem Ormond

If you lead a rather busy life, like to travel or visit family, then I have found the perfect property that is going to enable you to live your lifestyle to the full.

Set in a special character area of Hastings, along a private road, this grand lady reigns graciously over a smart development of architecturally designed townhouses on the edge of Cornwall Park.

Constructed in 1934, this two storied home is the former residence of architect Harold George Davies, a leading light in the Art Deco movement and this property, at 9/511 Fitzroy Avenue, is a quintessential Art Deco home, offering a stately presence.

With a pitched tiled roof, complemented with a roughcast exterior and many features associated with this era of design, this is a home of significance to the area, with a touch of grandeur and quality.

This light and airy house has achieved a level 5 Homestar build rating and upon entering, it will be noticeable how warm it is. With features including energy efficient exterior glass, solar panels and newly insulated walls, ceilings and floors, you will be able to keep your power bill to a minimum!

The kitchen has high quality appliances including a new Smeg double wall oven, large butler’s sink and an induction hob. The open-plan dining room and lounge all have beautiful polished native timber flooring with a compliant cast iron wood fire for cooler evenings. In the lounge, the original inbuilt radio has been preserved. Made of beautiful timber and in the Art Deco style this is something special and a great talking piece.

French doors lead off the dining room to the outside and the lounge with its curvilinear shaped windows and French doors, so indicative of Art Deco and simply stunning. The paved patio area of the same shape is ideal for a comfortable chair or for a spot of al fresco dining while watching family enjoy the well fenced plunge pool.

There is a downstairs powder room consisting of a W/C and hand basin and stairs lead up to a large master bedroom with plenty of wardrobe space and French doors open outside to a wonderful patio area. Perfect for a morning coffee while looking out over the nearby park.

There is a large luggage room ideal for spare bedding and suitcases. Also an upstairs bathroom and separate W/C. Two more bedrooms make for ample room when having guests or family to stay.

The generous sized laundry even includes a meat safe, all restored and in keeping with the era of the home. The main entrance and associated portico are both welcoming but still underpin egalitarian thoughts of that time. Lighting, curtaining, door decoration and even the architraves have had thought given, with the aim of preserving the integrity of the Art Deco era.

Restrained renovations have meant that the rational of the original floor plan has been retained. This is a well fenced, well planted and easily manageable site and in time will provide privacy.

This is truly a unique property born out of the creativity of one special architect with an eye for detail, design and a true love of Art Deco. A perfect property to enable you to entertain, enjoy life, sit back, relax or lock up and leave when the need arises.