Why this family swapped a finished home for a blank canvas

There comes a time in every home owner’s life when they face a choice: comfort or potential, security or possibility.

For Jasmine and Ben Raisbeck, that moment arrived after a decade in their beautifully renovated Federation worker’s cottage in Swanbourne, Western Australia.

It was a home they had thought would be their forever home, one that witnessed the birth of their two daughters, Harriet, 7, and Ivy, 5.

Not only had it been lovingly transformed throughout the years, with luxuries like a butler’s pantry to a large kitchen and an en suite to a main bedroom, but it was also within walking distance of shops and restaurants and conveniently close to the train line for work commutes.

It was the perfect family home until life nudged them in a different direction.

“After we had Ivy, our second child, we realised we wanted a larger backyard and a quieter street,” Jasmine says.

“Meanwhile, I also decided to pursue my art career full-time instead of returning to a secure job, which added some financial pressure, so we decided to sell our finished home and buy another renovator’s delight at a slightly lower price point.”

The cottage had served them well, but with Jasmine’s new career focus, the small room she used as a studio and the kitchen counter for pottery wasn’t cutting it anymore.

After much discussion, they decided to list their home, which sparked a frantic search for a new place in Perth’s rapidly escalating property market.

After losing out on three other houses, their luck turned when a 1950s cottage in Mosman Park popped up.

“I loved the look of this house from the pictures, but what really excited me was the mention of a huge workshop out the back,” Jasmine says. “There was no address listed, but things were selling so quickly that I drove around Mosman Park, hunting for the house based on the image and description. The things you do in this market!”

Jasmine found the house, and though it was smaller than their previous home, it was tucked away on a quiet street. The largest poinciana tree she had ever seen graced the front yard. The moment she stepped into the workshop during the first open house, she was sold.

“It was a dream come true,” she says. “The studio has given me the freedom to take my art to the next level, with plenty of space for all my projects. The icing on the cake was discovering it had three-phase power, which allowed me to invest in a kiln for my pottery and even start running small classes.”

Of course, the move wasn’t without its challenges. Ben, who loves to cook, misses the more spacious kitchen of their previous home, while Jasmine misses the ample storage, forcing her to be more selective about her belongings. Yet, despite the smaller space, they’ve found that the trade-off was more than worth it.

“One thing that surprised us was how much more comfortable we are living in this house with kids,” Jasmine says.

“Our last home was so beautifully finished that we felt like we were walking on eggshells, trying to prevent the girls from damaging anything. Here, we can relax and not worry so much.”

Looking ahead, Jasmine and Ben have big plans for their little cottage. While major renovations aren’t on the immediate horizon, they foresee the need for more space as their daughters grow older.

“I think the first thing we’ll invest in when we have the money is a pool,” Jasmine says.

“Then, down the track, we might add a second storey so we don’t lose too much of the backyard. In the meantime, I’ll be busy with smaller projects like painting the kitchen and adding new curtains – I do love a bit of DIY.”

In the meantime, the Raisbeck family is relishing the trade-offs they made, embracing their new home with no regrets and a renewed appreciation for what truly matters.

“You have to decide what’s important to you, and that’s different for everyone,” Jasmine reflects. “We lived in a bigger, newly renovated home, but I’m much happier here in our little cottage, with my art studio, a veggie patch, and our family thriving.”

The neighbourhood, too, has become a source of joy. Their girls have made fast friends with other kids on the street – something Jasmine considers invaluable.

“We don’t have a front fence, so I often come home to find all the kids playing in our front yard, climbing our poinciana tree, or setting up bike jumps,” she says. “It’s like stepping back in time, and we feel absolutely privileged that our kids get this kind of childhood – it’s pretty rare these days.”

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