This classic beauty in serene Malvern is our house of the week

Malvern is one of our favourites. It’s one of those attractive Melbourne suburbs where the particulars never seem to change.

That is not a criticism. Malvern never fails to deliver elegance, space and a certain leafy refinement that makes one covet its lovely charm.

Then of course there are the houses. Classic beauty abounds here, and the reinvention of some of its ruby red brick Edwardians offers a template on how to move the pretty period piles into the polished progressive.

14 Irving Street, listed with Gowan Stubbings of Kay & Burton South Yarra, is the perfect example. It helps that its set on 950 square metres of sublime space. The deep front and side gardens give the home a brilliant frame. Beyond the lovely veranda and leadlight side entry you come into the handsome, wide entry foyer.

Immediately to the left is a generous study that offers a winning view over the front garden.

Across on the right it’s the deeply attractive formal lounge room with marble fireplace and excellent, serene zoning away from the communal rear of the home. Flowing back from here, the formal dining room is another lovely space with a beautiful leadlight-fringed box bay window.

Head back to the entry hallway and under the magnificent arched fretwork, the main bedroom is tucked nicely into the north-west front.

This is a fine space with garden views, ample storage and a particularly impressive, fully tiled en suite boasting huge glass shower, mirrored storage and twin basins above the floating stone-top vanity.

Head east down the main passage and there are two terrific bedrooms, both with good storage and desk space separated by the sharp central bathroom.

Out into the excellent rear section there’s more of that generosity of space with the meals area set to the side, allowing you to spill out onto the triptych of terraced decks that line the south side of the home.

Set to the other side, the white minimalist look of the sleek kitchen is given a delineating punch by the floating dark stone bench and section of dark timber veneer cabinetry. A butler’s pantry and adjacent laundry/wine store and bathroom underscore the rock-solid amenity here.

Beyond the meals area, step down, past the cool cantilevered marble-clad hearth – a real head-turner – and into the easy elegance of the broad family room.

Out back there’s a grassy terrace, sparkling pool and poolhouse with barbecue and bathroom and a two-car garage with multiple laneway access. Marvellous Malvern, don’t go changing.

Need to know: The house was last sold for $2,625,000 in October 2013 and the highest recorded house price in Malvern (past 12 months) was $6.2 million for 52 Elizabeth Street, in August 2016. Recent sales: $3,175,000 for 27 Thanet Street, May 2017; $1.11 million for 14 Norfolk Place, May 2017, and $3.42 million for 2a Robinson Street, April 2017.

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