A picture of easy elegance in the gardens of Lindfield

Visiting this Lindfield residence, thoughts arise of author May Gibbs’ Neutral Bay home, Nutcote, where gumnut babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie were born. Like Nutcote, it has been designed in a charming, inter-war, Mediterranean fashion.

“We immediately fell in love with the romantic, Italian-style garden and villa with its classical and Georgian influences; it’s ideally suited to Sydney’s climate,” the owner says pointing out features such as the many round arches framing garden views, french doors, small-paned windows with indigo-painted exterior shutters, charming wisteria-covered pergolas, loggia and hand wrought-iron balcony balustrades.

Created around a private, symmetrical, central courtyard the home has a U-shaped floor-plan which, combined with its northerly orientation, brings sun and light into most rooms for much of the day.

Interior furnishings are in keeping with the traditional architecture. Contemporary pieces happily rest alongside antiques such as occasional chairs covered in modern fabric and reproductions, notably the sitting room’s Chippendale-style sofa plus Asian objets d’art.

When they moved in with their then-young family, the owners were mindful to change little.

While others might have replaced the period bathroom, this never crossed their minds.

“The green tiling is a work of art from a time when master tradesmen would arrive in suits and ties and tiles were made in myriad shapes and sizes. Each handmade tile is different. Being respectful of the home’s heritage, we only wanted to make minimal and sympathetic alterations like creating casual family living spaces flowing to the garden,” says one of the owners.

And what a garden: 2500 square metres of parklike, peaceful, outdoor “rooms” plus a lawn tennis court and sheltered pool. “The previous owners were passionate about the garden and we benefited from their thoughtful plantings including large trees, sasanqua camellias, maples, azaleas, fragrant gardenias, crepe myrtles and old-world roses.”

When the children were young, the rambling garden provided many magical hide-and-seek spaces… but with not a “big, bad Banksia man” in sight!

50 Treatts Road, Lindfield
About $5 million
Built 1927, renovated 2000
4 bedrooms, two bathrooms, 2 parking
For sale By expressions of interest
​Agent Luschwitz, 0412 425676

Where to buy

Art work

Diana Watson’s Castalian Spring, oil on linen, is 112 x137cm, $8800. Currently hanging in an exhibition in Double Bay’s new Intercontinental Hotel. franceskeevilgallery.com.au

Plants

Japanese Box clipped into spheres provides year-round greenery. It’s a perfect plant to shape as it’s hardy and remains compact. Small plants start at $10.95 in 140mm pots, and range up to $1000 for a mature, topiaried specimen from Parkers of Turramurra, 9487 3888.

Butler’s tray

Each Garrat dark chestnut butler’s tray is hand-crafted, displaying the timber’s natural knots, grain and colour variations. The folding legs are removable. 63cm x 51cm x 43cm, $895, ph 1800 033 453. laura-ashley.com.au