It’s safe to say I’ve completely fallen in love with this 19th-century former whaler’s cottage in North Sydney, quite literally bursting at the seams with character, colour and charm.
“It’s a beautiful home,” says owner Karen Dewey. “I think it’s only had three owners in 80 years because it’s so hard to leave!” She loved working with her friend, interior designer Lisa Burdus, putting her faith in her and the bold colour choices.
Karen says everything came together perfectly once all the layers of art (largely painted by her mother) and collectables were added. “With the colour, I decided to take a risk and lean into it. The place came to life and I was so happy.
“It’s got a real cosiness. All these nooks and quirks make it such a special place. My daughter once said to me it’s the most romantic home she’d ever seen!”
The quirky and vibrant cottage with a nod to classic English country style, breaks every rule about cohesion and using neutrals on the walls and the result is nothing short of perfection.
Set across three storeys, each with its own hue (and way before the colour-drenching trend became a thing), there’s a delightful feature at every turn, and despite not having an expansive footprint, the home’s layout is surprisingly flexible and can accommodate many family members and guests.
The house has seen many parties and family gatherings over the years with Karen saying friends always wanted to come to their place, not just because of its wonderful location, but because it is a great entertaining space. “The place feels very cocooning.”
Karen wasn’t tempted to have everything painted neutral when putting it on the market this week. While of course the new owners can do whatever they want with it, Karen feels the person that falls in love with the character property will probably appreciate this colourful version of it. “Pretty much everyone who ever walks through the door always say ‘oh my God, this house!’” With her children now all grown up, Karen feels it is time for a new family to use the house to its full potential.
Set in peaceful garden surrounds with front to rear gardens, the one-of-a-kind home is full of history and original details but its colourful updates give it a modern, yet somehow totally in keeping, feel. It has a private back yard and is walking distance to many parks.
It features three substantial bedrooms, one being a completely self-contained suite to the front of the property with its own private access offering the perfect parents or teenager’s retreat or home office. Not to mention the potential to rent it out to tourists. “Because of the way the spaces are divided up, there’s so much scope for different family members to have privacy or work from home, despite it not being huge.”
Karen says it’s the sweet spot for people wanting to move in from a larger house in the suburbs with older children, and while they’re still young and active enough to appreciate being able to walk to everything and use the stairs.
The cottage is hidden down a quiet, tree-lined cut-de-sac, an easy walk to Waverton Park, Berrys Bay, North Sydney Station and prestigious schools. “It’s incredibly quiet; the quietest place I’ve ever lived,” says Karen.
This glorious home at 70 Bank Street is is currently for sale through Bresic Whitney with an auction guide of $3,650,000. The auction is scheduled for 31 August 2024 at 9.45am on site.
