Symmetry and amenity unite in this Balwyn North House of the Week

Balwyn has long been regarded as one of Melbourne’s more classically composed suburbs. Big blocks, green gardens, attractive housing stock are the reliable hallmarks here and in Balwyn North.

Over the past decade or so, the smooth and shiny has landed too, laying down those sharp-edged shapes so beloved of new millennium design.

This amazing looking home might be one of those, but delving deeper in here, you’ll find a place with gorgeous symmetry alongside state-of-the-art amenity.

Once you’re inside beyond the entry that splits the two boxes, there’s plenty of fun drama to balance the sharp design.

We love the entry stair – broad, handsome and serving its role in making you pause and take in the scene.

We love that, when you get to the top, you turn left and step down into main bedroom. In here it’s gorgeous; a terrific walk-through robe taking you to the uber chic en suite with marble accents and hanging twin square basins.

Head across and more stairs take you up to a terrific wedge of study, a big picture window here showcasing the street.

Back down on the entry hallway you get another bedroom tucked across on the left as well as acres of concealed storage. Another very impressive bathroom and generous laundry are here too.

Across from them is the dark, dramatic fun of the sound-proofed cinema room.

One of the best features is the excellent marriage of timber and stone – you see it used judiciously throughout, but its best expression finds itself in the vast open-plan rear section.

Polished concrete, marble, timber-banded ceilings and brilliant accent tiles bring the shimmering spaces to another level. The kitchen is a beautiful example and also boasts a terrific butler’s pantry to demonstrate that amenity is not sacrificed to style.

The glass that runs beside the living area gives you light and sparkling pool views. More sliding casements to the rear open out onto a brilliant covered entertaining terrace with storage to burn.

Step up beyond here to the flood-lit mini tennis/basketball/soccer play space framed by the beautiful terraced gardens.

Back inside and up some more great stairs there are three excellent bedrooms serviced by two coolly stylish bathrooms.

A long line of study space makes great use of the open hallway before you get to the teenager’s retreat at the rear of the level with another of those gorgeous picture windows overlooking the back garden. Quite superb.

44 Hedderwick Street, Balwyn North

​$3.6 million-$3.8 million
5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Private sale
Inspect: Contact agent
Agent: Fletchers, Nick Fletcher 0403 387 580

Need to know: This is the first time the property has been offered for sale and the highest recorded house price for Balwyn North (past 12 months) was $5.5 million for 6 Harrington Avenue in February 2017. Recent sales: $2,086,000 for 21 Riverside Avenue, March 2017; $1,675,000 for 9 Seattle Street, March 2017, and $1.67 million for 6 Leicester Street, March 2017.