"This was the first house we bought together as a couple 12 years ago and we thought it was our life together house," says Vena. "But now we have children we are on to our next chapter."
Before they leave, though, they have given a facelift to the Art Deco home they call "the grand dame of the street".
When they bought the 1930s home, it had already been extended "down, out and up" in the 1990s.
"At the time, tonnes of steel went into the house so there are lots of open-plan spaces with no pillars," says Vena.
Some of that steel is still visible in the exposed beams in the large basement garage. But its effect is more obvious in the light-filled top floor of this three-level home, which has an open-plan kitchen and living area with balconies off three sides. The northern one has harbour views but the curved balcony facing east is where Vena and David like to hang out.
"That's our favourite place: on the deck overlooking the street," says Vena. "We'll have a glass of wine out there and lean over the railing and chat to neighbours walking by."
Recently blonded wooden floors give the living space warmth, and sets of stacking bifold doors provide light and easy access to the northern balcony. Blonded timber is also a feature of the entrance, the wide stairs and hallway on the ground floor. New carpet and LED lighting has gone into the house, which has also been repainted.
The ground floor has the master bedroom at the front of the house with a curved, shuttered bay window overlooking the street, a small balcony on the northeastern corner, and a tiled en suite with a marble-topped vanity. There is another bedroom behind and a third bedroom with an en suite at the rear off a lounge that opens out via stacking bifold doors to the entertaining area surrounding the swimming pool. This sheltered, private zone has an outdoor fire, making it usable all-year-round.
"You can get the swimming pool up to 40C so it's like a spa," says Vena. "And we sit out here in summer and winter toasting marshmallows."
Image 1 of 6: 30 Hamilton Rd, Herne Bay. Photo / Ted Baghurst.
Although this outdoor area is cosy, the rooftop deck is open and spectacular with views over the neighbourhood and harbour. Vena and David have relaid the deck, put in glass balustrades, installed gas piping for the barbecue to create an outdoor kitchen, and fitted lighting.
"We sit up here and watch the evening sun and it's marvellous," says Vena, who points out the home has fulfilled their love of entertaining.
"We are spoiled for entertainment areas here.
"There are lots of gathering points in this house; we've had 150 people here for New Year's Eve parties and there are people in the pool, sitting by the fire, on the decks, and we all gather on the roof and watch the fireworks and toast the New Year."
Vena says the home has also been a catalyst for making new friends.
"Strangers have knocked on the door and have asked if they can have their wedding up on the rooftop and we have said yes because that's the sort of people we are."
