This home full of heart
could be yours...
This is my Mum’s cherished home. She has lived here,
enjoying the beautiful view over Oberon and surrounding
farms, the tranquillity of the nearby bush and birdsong for
the past 20 years.
The beautiful bush nearby is full of walking tracks around
the Oberon dam, and birds and wildlife can be seen and heard
from the house. Kangaroos visit the grassy parklands below
the houses. It's a very quiet street with not much traffic,
being on the edge of the town, but still walkable to the
shops or a short drive. Playgrounds abound for children's
delight just a short walk down the road. These photos are
ones I've taken over the years on visits to Mum's place with
my children.
Kay’s father moved the family to Jenolan St in Oberon as he
was one of the carpenters building the dam in the 1940’s.
Kay, then about 7, along with her 6 brothers and sister
(some born after her) were known as ‘the dam kids’ by the
other children at the Oberon school. Kay lived most of her
childhood with her family in one of the ‘dam houses’ in
Jenolan St, until she married and moved away.
Kay's happy childhood memories include fishing for trout,
catching rabbits, picking blackberries for jam-making,
roaming the nearby bush and helping with chores alongside
her siblings.
When Kay’s circumstances changed about 20 years ago she
returned to her home town and bought one of those dam houses
several doors away from her childhood home, where she has
enjoyed the past 20 years.
Since buying the house, Kay has done much to improve its
comfort and looks. She had cladding added to the outside,
with insulation between to help retain heat in winter and
cool in summer. This means also that painting maintenance is
kept to a minimum. She added more insulation to the roof
cavity, and had the gorgeous wide pine floorboards
throughout the original house uncovered and lacquered. The
sunroom/loungeroom floor was given a new floor of Tasmanian
Oak, and she repainted the house inside. It’s well laid out,
and the renovations have opened it up making it easy to live
in.
The roof was replaced with new Colourbond, which is much
safer in a bushfire than tiles which can allow embers
between the tiles into the roof cavity.
The front entry hall is big enough for several pieces of
furniture which increases storage space in a pleasant way.
Note the high ceilings giving a sense of airiness.
The bathroom was renovated in Federation style and features
a traditional claw bathtub with a shower, and a large
skylight gives it cheap and lovely light by day, so indoor
plants flourish there.
High ceilings, picture rails and 3 large bedrooms make this
home very comfortable to live in. It stays cool in Summer
with the help of a large ceiling fan in the main living
area, and the fire heats most of the house in Winter. With
high quality hand made curtains with linings on the main
windows, the house can be managed to stay warm or cool as
needed.
The Lounge room/sunroom is a very large living area which
can be used for various activities, all with a wonderful
view past the verandah.
The wood fire is the best I’ve come across, burning
brilliantly but very controllable and efficient. Easy to
light, even on the coldest nights it’s cosy and warm with
the blaze crackling safely behind glass.
The large solid timber formal dining table and 6 chairs in
the sunroom/loungeroom was used for large family occasions
like Christmas and birthday parties. It’s in original as new
condition, and has a matching sideboard and hutch which fit
the room beautifully. These are for sale separately to the
house. The oak coloured dining table and chairs are $1995
and the hutch for $995.
Last year we helped Mum to put in a new IKEA kitchen with
plenty of storage. The kitchen is big enough to have a
four-seater table and extra kitchen furniture like the
antique kitchen dresser in the kitchen, which is so cosy and
has a ‘family’ feeling.
The Westinghouse fridge is for sale separately and works
perfectly, for $300. The washing machine is also available,
a very new and efficient front-loading Miele for $450. Also
a small deep freezer for $150. Great for first home buyers,
young families, retirees or even a well-appointed country
getaway!
A large double-car sized shed on a concrete slab was added
at the back of the house for storage and a craft work area,
as well as an extra car parking space apart from the carport
if needed. The shed is already set up with strong and
efficient storage shelves. A rainwater tank there is handy
for watering the garden. (That mess at the side on the
gravel has been cleaned up now!) That's snow on the roof, by
the way, it is new blue colour bond so it doesn't reflect
sun flashes.
Next to the established vege garden is a great wood storage
shed, as well as an area under the deck out of rain for more
wood storage or outdoor furniture storage, wheelbarrows etc.
The sturdy gate at the front allows secure car storage, and
the hand-crafted large steel letterbox (my brother welded
it) will last forever. Actually the gate has been replaced
with a better one since this photo was taken.
Facing North East, the covered verandah attracts the morning
sun and it streams into the living area too, making it a
cheerful room, with a sensational view over the town and
countryside. Sheltered from the wind, the verandah is a
lovely place to sit with a cuppa any time. Both front and
back deck/verandahs are full length across the house, giving
extra covered living spaces at front and back, and great for
plants that need some shelter. The back deck even has a
childproof/pet-safe gate.
The view changes with the seasons and the weather...
This sunrise was filled with the sounds of the bushland dawn
chorus...
The back stairs were recently replaced and a safety railing
added to the sides, and there’s plenty of storage room under
the back of the house for garden tools etc.
Kay has always loved her garden, and it’s
one of the prettiest in the street, especially in Spring.
The garden is planned well, with easy care plants and not
too much lawn-mowing. There are many coloured irises and
bulbs to surprise, and something to put in a vase all year
round, as well as a useful vege garden to supplement
groceries. There’s even a lemon tree in a position to
survive the snow. The hard work has all been done here.
This house is a home that has been
well-loved and well-looked after. It has a friendly
atmosphere and a happy history. Many grandchildren have
built snowmen and roamed the bush with their wonderful Nana
Kay. We will miss coming here to stay so much.
If you're interested in this great home,
please contact:
Lisa Behan, First National Oberon, ph 0448
313 585
Go
to the Domain House Listing
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