If you've been around for long enough, a house can have a number of lives. And if you're a smart owner, you can be responsible for breathing new energy into a tired old dame. This was the case for Anne Sadler and her husband, Henry, when they took on a classic turn-of-the-century villa tucked behind a hedge on the corner of Peel and Warnock Sts in Westmere.
Eight years ago, behind the return veranda in the classic bay-fronted house, was a jumble of three flats, chopped about in previous renovations some time in the 80s. With the help of architect John Cornthwaite, six and a half years ago the couple tidied the floor plan and brought the house back to its original glory.
"There are lots of possibilities here, especially with the Residential 5 zoning," explains Anne. "We've run a bed and breakfast here, had four kids come and go, with up to 10 mates staying for the weekend. I've moved my business into the downstairs. Under the unitary plan, with all this land, it could be more."
Originally, the property was stables for a local cartage business. The great-granddaughter of the original owner remembers tales of a Mr Redwood's carriages, and her grandmother having to scrub the steps. Today, the rambling old stables are unexpected bonus space - the couple use them for storage and clear roofing in one corner allowed a glasshouse - but this corner site begs to be rebuilt into a modern garage and studio.
