House of the Week: Get cosy in this quintessential Melbourne terrace in Carlton North

In the dead of this Melbourne winter let’s hunker down and concentrate on the cosy. Our town does cosy very well. Our old row houses in the inner city, transformed from dour and dank to bright and beautiful, are some of the best examples of cool climate comfort you’ll find.

This house in Davis Street also benefits from its superb location. Rathdowne Street and its fine village lifestyle sit a stroll from the door; the CBD too is only a rugged-up winter ramble away.

This is a quintessential Melbourne terrace – a facade hugged tight by similar charismatic frontages on either side and a long hallway off the entry to the neat rear.

A pretty bedroom is first on the left and boasts glossy boards, good storage and a bright view of the street.

The classic hallway of exposed brick is another sweet little touch with an arch to match. Next left is the second bedroom benefiting enormously from the central light well/courtyard that admits crucial light to the centre of the house.

A step takes you up to the downstairs bathroom, a small but perfectly configured and smartly fitted-out space.

Out into the stylish open plan rear, the space on offer here has been, again, well organised with a smooth kitchen set to the rear offering stone benches and crisp white cabinetry.

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In front the bright, handsome living room has a bank of glass on the southern wall that slides open onto a fine, private deck with rear lane access.

A smart extension here sees a custom-made Tasmanian Oak staircase take you up to the excellent main bedroom where a bright window draws in light and air and a glass door takes you out onto the terrific northerly rooftop deck.

Across on the other side of the staircase there’s a fabulous, sleek en suite with stylish taupe tiling, twin basin floating vanity and a big glass shower. Check out the great windows here, too, offering you a view of the rooftops of Carlton and the tips of the towers of town.

Sure, it’s a petite thing, but not all houses of the week are measured on their size and flash; some are measured by how well they capture the essence of something uniquely Melbourne. This little gem on Davis Street ticks plenty of boxes to keep you cosy and might just help you discover your own winter of deep content.

51 Davis Street, Carlton North

Photo: Jellis Craig

$1,375,000-$1,475,000
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Auction: 1pm, July 22
Agent: Ben Harrison, Jellis Craig 0430 457 234