Ann wanted her new home to have simple, clean lines, with two levels for bedrooms at one end and a series of living spaces on one level at the other, like the American houses she'd seen in the 1940s and 50s.
These living spaces were designed to be opened up for entertaining large crowds, and that's what the Holdaways did - over the years hosting dozens of dignitaries and community groups at garden parties, weddings and fundraisers.
The house's scale also had to suit its setting - a sprawling, secluded section ringed by mature trees. It's set at the end of a sweeping drive that borders Stanich Reserve on Ocean View Rd and is a few minutes from Northcote's motorway onramps.
After growing up feeling sorry for servants who had to cope in cramped kitchens, Ann had strong ideas about her own kitchen.
"I was going to be the cook, so I decided that the kitchen would be the nicest room in the house."
She also told the architect to put Jim's study right next door "so I could stand at the sink and we could have a good chat about what our plans were for the day".
Both of these rooms, two of the five bedrooms, the dining room, and a large living room with a soaring pitched ceiling and open fireplace look out through large picture windows and glass sliding doors to a gently sloping, north-facing lawn with tennis courts at one side.
Neatly tucked on the south side of the house, to the left of a central hall that runs off the large entrance foyer, is a double carport beside a workshop and laundry. These open on to a sheltered utility area and clothesline.
Stairs at the end of the hall lead down to self-contained living quarters that include two bedrooms, a separate toilet and shower and a large living room that incorporates an oven, bench and storage cupboards.
Other than renovations to bathrooms, the house is mainly as it was originally designed, including defining features such as the jarrah parquet floor in the living areas, Japanese-style "Shoji" panelled sliding doors, and a striking green and white marble fire hearth.
Since Jim died, Ann has moved into a rest home nearby and is happy for her house to be sold to new owners who can enjoy this unique property as much as the Holdaways and their three children did.
