Jenny MacGillivray calls it her "stairway to heaven". It was the impressive tapering staircase from the slate-tiled entrance lobby to the upper level of the 1980s home she and husband John went to view 23 years ago that made her think the house could be something special.
"I just lovedthe way you came in the front doors and you were faced with these stairs leading up to the next level," says Jenny. "I felt that this could be a house of discovery -- and it was."
Features of the two-level cedar and concrete render home included the clever use of skylights. There are several in one corner of the master bedroom, while the kitchen has a conservatory feel thanks to numerous skylights.
They were also wowed by the cathedral-style ceilings in the kitchen, dining and library nook that are located on the upper level. Also upstairs is a generous lounge with a gas fire, the master bedroom, which has an en suite and a walk-in wardrobe, a second bedroom, and a powder room.
This upper level is where Jenny and John tend to spend most of their time.
"In fact, we hardly ever go downstairs, which is why we are selling," says John.
Jenny, a chef, spends a lot of time in the kitchen, which is a lovely, light space to work in and, thanks to its elevation, has great views of the neighbourhood, including a peep of the obelisk on top of One Tree Hill. There is ample storage space and she had a heavy-duty gas hob put in years ago which gets plenty of use.
One of John's favourite places is the deck off the dining room. "When you stand out there it is like being on the bridge of a ship -- you can see so much," he says.
Yet when they're sitting down at the outdoor table, they can't be seen thanks to the solid wooden balustrades.
Image 1 of 8: An intriguing layout made a couple want to discover more about this home. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
There's another small deck off the library nook, which is the sunniest part of the house. The couple confess they've often sat down to read on the sofa, which is surrounded by bookcases, and nodded off because it's so warm.
Downstairs is a second lounge that is so spacious there's room for a baby grand piano. This room opens out to a paved, private courtyard.
Two generous double bedrooms, an office, a bathroom with spa bath and separate shower and a laundry with access to the paved rear garden complete the downstairs layout, along with an internal access double garage and workshop.
The house also comes with a parking area for two more cars or a boat, and the gardens are low maintenance.
While it would be suitable as a lock-up-and-leave property, it's also ideal for families. John and Jenny's two sons were young adults when they bought, but two of their granddaughters have been able to enjoy everything the house has to offer.
The home's location is a major reason why the MacGillivrays have ended up staying so long.
It is in a quiet, leafy no-exit street bordering One Tree Hill Domain and Cornwall Park, and just two minutes walk to Greenwoods Corner, with all its shops and eateries. The children's playground at One Tree Hill Domain is also just a quick stroll away.
"And it is so easy to drive anywhere from here," says John.
"You are not far from the city, from the airport and the motorway. It is a central location -- it will be hard to leave."
