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A Cliffside Manor With A Modern Refresh

Gap Road, Watsons Bay

Privately positioned cliffside 8 Gap Road, Watsons Bay offers expansive views of the city’s twinkling harbour, via a former 1920s Masonic Lodge that has been reimagined and delivered to luxurious modern standards by renowned architects Weir Phillips.

Dream living all year — through arguably the perfect new year’s eve party pad — the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home boasts a tangible sense of airiness and ease as driven by stately proportions and 5-metre ceilings across open plan living areas, bespoke arched windows connecting not only to history but the literal inside to outflow.

The finishes throughout are impeccable and unique, with 200-year-old French parquetry flooring paired to a Calacatta marble kitchen that’s fitted with Gaggenau appliances and an elongated, showpiece, marble benchtop for dining.

The upper level, accessible by private lift, sees the five large bedrooms each fitted with under-floor heating and Perrin & Rowe marble ensuites in each as well as a separate self-contained guest level.

The master suite comprises a dressing room larger than most Paddington boutiques (what’s left of them) and more views over Sydney Harbour.

Outdoors feature a covered entertaining area as well as a separate balcony space with in-built outdoor kitchen. There’s also a rebuilt Egyptian limestone pool with William Dangar designed gardens completing the space.

8 Gap Road Watsons Bay

Parking for two cars is secured by an electronic gate, security and camera system. The house sits within a two-minute stroll of Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, Robertson Park and known restaurants such as Doyle’s and Dunbar House.

The listing is with Michael Pallier of Sotheby’s Sydney, +61 417 371 544; POA.

sydneysothebysrealty.com

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Martin Benn Finally Reveals The Name Of New Melbourne Restaurant

Martin Benn

When three-hatted chef Martin Benn announced that his lauded Sydney fine-diner Sepia was closing more than three years ago, heightened levels of anticipation surrounded his next move.

Combining with Melbourne restaurateur, Chris Lucas, Martin Benn and Vicki Wild kept their cards close, only revealing that an upcoming venue would be housed at 80 Collins street in Melbourne’s CBD.

Today, the trio announced the launch of Society – a 300-seat landmark establishment of dining and drinking due to open in late March 2021.

“This year we have been challenged like never before, but we have proven our resilience and in 2021 we will celebrate our achievements,” says Lucas. “Society is a restaurant for Melbourne and Australia, it will signal a rebirth of our great city and I hope it will be a restaurant that places us comfortably on a global stage.”Three venues will complete the offering at 80 Collins Street, with the centrepiece, the Society dining room – to also offer customised private dining – alongside the Lillian Terrace and a luxurious lounge bar.

The fit-out, by leading Melbourne design firm Russell & George will see the lounge bar connect the two restaurants, acting as a perfect hideaway for a Martini and a pre-dinner taste of what’s to come. Elsewhere, the main Society dining room sees lofty ceilings for a grand, yet intimate experience and the Lillian Terrace enjoys a leafy, open-air terrace experience for indoor-outdoor dining.

Martin Benn’s avant-garde cooking style will continue to evolve on the plate however the menus in all three environments will be entirely unique to each setting and will be a la carte throughout.

Societyrestaurant.com.au

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Sydney’s ‘Villa Florida’ Is On The Market

Tivoli Avenue Villa Florida

Offering true waterfront, 12 Tivoli Avenue, Rose Bay, Sydney – built-in 1928 – is set across 1290sqm and is ready for sale.

Enjoying an extensive refresh courtesy of acclaimed architect Michael Suttor, the three-storey, 7-bedroom, 9-bathroom, 4-car parking residence – affectionately named ‘Villa Florida’ – offers an elusive street-to-waterfront property with views of Sydney Harbour.

Suttor and his team restored the home beyond its former glory, making use of its architectural features – such as the arched windows, a pitched cathedral ceiling, wrought iron balcony details and a jaw-dropping spiral staircase – drawing a line heightened levels of ‘European’ luxury.

The home sees a manicured courtyard area usher you into the approx. 930sqm home. Inside, the residence is replete with a combination of parquetry flooring, travertine limestone tiling and sandstone finishes alongside Venetian plastering finished in beeswax.

On the lower ground floor sits the billiard room, family room and kitchen, fitted with European appliances, granite benchtops and custom cabinetry.

Also on the lower ground floor are two bedrooms, each complete with an ensuite, accompanied by a further bedroom and access to the terrace.

Up the aforementioned spiral staircase to the ground floor lands the master suite which features a walk-in-robe and ensuite with access to a private balcony and the sunroom providing further water views through the arched windows. A further two bedrooms are also found on this level.

Elsewhere, on the ground floor, arrives the formal dining and living, complete with a working stone fireplace and another kitchen – with finishes coordinating with the downstairs offering.

Throughout the expansive residence, the nine bathrooms feature mosaic tiling and travertine limestone flooring with granite details.

Upstairs further to the first floor sees a further two bedrooms and a library that is accompanied by a large sandstone terrace that has capacity for 200 people.

Outside, the sandstone adorned pool loggia arrives with a bathroom and chef’s kitchen. Here, the terraced gardens guide you down to the water’s edge allowing the owner to soak in the best of what Sydney has to offer.

The listing is with Black Diamondz Property Concierge’s Monika Tu (+61 409 898 888) and Jad Khatta (+61 432 669 287). Price guide $45 million.

Blackdiamondz.com.au

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Wi-Fi Wonderland: A Guide to Smart Home Holiday Decorations

Christmas House Lights

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—when you get the opportunity to outfit your home in all manner of illuminated goodness.

Whether you’re a fan of bold decorations or understated elegance, classic or contemporary styles, smart home technology can help you achieve the look—and manage it—with ease.

Below, a few options for high-tech holiday cheer.

Twinkly

Perhaps the name in connected Christmas lighting, Twinkly offers multi-color LED lighting options in a variety of forms—strings, icicles, curtains, clusters—all with clever and convenient smart technology. In addition to providing a palette of over 16 million colours, Twinkly makes it simple for users to get the exact look they want. In addition to offering voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, Twinkly’s user-friendly app allows owners to program the colours they want down to the exact bulb—even letting them draw and customize the light scheme they desire by tracing with their finger. And if you’re not feeling particularly creative, no worries. Twinkly has a suite of pre-programmed lighting effects and animations that can be simply selected via the app or voice command. And, of course, as you would want from any holiday light, Twinkly lights are IP44-rated weatherproof, making them ideal for indoor or outdoor use.

Twinkly multicolour LEDs range from approx. $70 to $263, depending on size and configuration.

AtmosKIT Plus (M1)

Multicolour LEDs aren’t your only opportunity to play with light and magic this holiday season. The AtmosKIT Plus is a ViewSonic M1 short-throw projector that can quickly and easily drape your home in cinematic digital decorations. The endlessly portable projector, which weighs under two pounds and features a built-in, 360-degree smart stand, is capable of projecting on to surfaces 40 to over 100 inches away—and comes with 12 holiday decoration projections, with hundreds more available for download from AtmosFX.com. Or you can find and create your own. The AtmosKIT is able to wirelessly mirror and project anything you can play on an iOS or Android device, meaning you can loop snowflakes falling on your window, or play the entirety of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on your wall.

The AtmosKIT Plus (M1) is available for approx. $448.

Meross Smart WiFi Indoor/Outdoor Plug

The holiday season is all about traditions and perhaps you have some decorations which you use every year; maybe they’ve even been passed across generations. Well, never fear—you, too, can take advantage of smart technology. The Meross Smart WiFi is a dual port, indoor/outdoor plug that works with Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and can easily handle any of the weather conditions that mark the holiday season in colder climates. In addition to offering users voice control, app control and the ability to schedule when to power on and power off devices, the Meross lets you control each outlet independently—meaning you can power your decorations together, or decide to alternate between various holiday cheer scenes.

The Meross Smart WiFi Indoor/Outdoor Plug is available for around $40.

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Hamilton’s Hottest Home Is Up For Grabs

Perched on the spectacularly private Hamilton hill, 55 Markwell street is a luxurious three-story residence boasting panoramic views of Brisbane’s CBD.

Designed by architect Shaun Lockyer, the 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom, 4-car garage residence is filled with a raft of resort-like amenities across a 2456sqm plot, only 10 minutes from the CBD and airport.

The main house offers over 1000sqm of living space and is fitted with a heady combination of timber, glass and stone achieving a contemporary aesthetic through floor to ceiling glass doors and windows, lofty ceiling heights and timber panelling.

On the first level, the kitchen well-appointed with Miele appliances, a marble island and is bordered with stonework pylons alongside a walkthrough butler’s pantry. Creating a free-flowing space are connections to the formal dining, casual dining, family room, lounge and outdoor deck area.

Additionally, on the first level is a study alongside four of the bedrooms, three of which come with ensuites.

Throughout the home, the bathrooms are adorned in a combination of limestone tiling or marble benchtops, with the aforementioned timber, stone, glass design trinity referenced.

Up the marble staircase, the upper level sees the master retreat, complete with its own ensuite, boasting twin vanities and ‘his’ and ‘hers’ walk-in robes and more impressive views.

The lower level of the home sees a private squash court, games room, personal gym, theatre and cellar, along with a laundry and yet another bathroom.

Built to entertain, the deck area and backyard host an outdoor kitchen, complete with barbecue, pizza oven, sink, built-in refrigeration and fire pit. There’s also a jaw-dropping 21-metre heated lap pool complemented by a spa and sauna.

On the technology front, the home is fitted with a C-bus lighting system, multi-zone security system with cameras and a Sonos sound system.

The residence also offers a separate fully self-contained one-bedroom cottage for the housekeeper or guests.

The listing is the Ray White New Farm’s Matt Lancashire (+61 416 476 480). POA

Rwnf.com.au

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Kurraba Residences Is Redefining Luxury Harbourside Living

Set to become a notable architectural icon, the new Sydney project – Kurraba Residences at the tip of the headland in Kurraba Point – offers a front row seat to the action with 180-degree views that wander across the CBD, Opera House, Bridge and beyond, and which form a heady entree to what is a once in a generation build.

A powerful alignment of nature, architecture and interiors, Kurraba Residences rests between Neutral Bay and Shell Cove, encompassing just 24 designer addresses spanning 2- and 3- bedrooms inclusive of an ultimate 4-bedroom, 4.5 bath penthouse.

Custom cabinetry and wide aspects of the harbour.

Brought together by a tantalising trio – SJB architects, Mathieson Architects and landscapers Dangar Barin Smith – the exclusive Thirdi Group project proves a curved wonder that sits within the ’20s narrative of nearby properties, a tasteful nod to heritage as seen in the exterior use of shapely brickwork.

Each residence boasts a sense of style, space and elevated living, with finishes that include solid limestone and marble, alongside touches of bronze and fine ash timbers, with design that seamlessly melds the indoors to alfresco terraces.

Kitchens are fitted with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, with Grigio Argento marble workspaces boasting fluted detailing and custom fireplaces that align in the use of the finish.

Bedrooms feature commodious and functional wardrobes (with the option of customised cabinetry), while bathrooms and ensuites have carved marble basins, Vola tapware and custom stone baths alongside bronze adornments.

Luscious private gardens come grafted to several apartments, while others offer the use of a shared rooftop garden with views across the harbour. Elsewhere, landscaped grounds spill to the neighbouring Kurraba Reserve which borders the water’s edge and where heritage figs and slender palms line the shore.

View from the penthouse master suite.

The literal crown of Kurraba Residences is the 430sqm, two-storey penthouse. Serviced by private lift, the interiors echo the themes of other residences while limestone floors, coffered ceilings and skylights lighten the second story that’s accessed via a bespoke, stonework staircase.

The penthouse also boasts custom wine cellar, expansive garden terrace – the outdoor area measuring 250sqm – and private infinity pool framed by spectacular city and harbour views.

The main bathroom also takes in the aforementioned vistas and includes circular marble vanities and carved marble baths that complement an oculus skylight. Further, a second living area and private study forms a removed and private sanctuary.

Each residence has private parking and access to a temperature and humidity-controlled cellar as well as a communal lounge space and concierge services.

Fluted marble details adorn the kitchen.

Kurraba Residences sit 10 minutes from the Sydney CBD by car (or ferry from nearby Kurraba Point Wharf). The acclaimed Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Neutral Bay shopping precinct and Balmoral Beach are all within nearby and easy access.

The project will officially launch on November 7, with building to be completed in Q4 2022.

Sales and enquiries via CBRE Residential on 1800 656 874.

Kurrabaresidences.com.au

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An Award-Winning Riverside Queensland Home Is For Sale

Sanctuary Cove

On the banks of the Coomera River in Queensland’s tightly held Sanctuary Cove, the award-winning ‘Cove House’ by architect Justin Humphrey is sprawled across a 966sqm block.

Located an hour from Brisbane CBD, or 30-minutes from the Gold Coast at 7366 Marine Drive East, Sanctuary Cove in Queensland, the 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom and 3-car garage home takes its cues from both brutalist architecture and tropical modernism. The heady combination sees an intriguing melding of materials and details – such as off-form concrete and curving timber battens –  throughout the home that follows an unconventional layout revolving around lush, open-air tropical garden atriums.

Sanctuary Cove

Dark tones set against timber is a theme that is reflected throughout the home – including in the kitchen – which sees a charcoal hued benchtop, European appliances and a hidden wine cellar.

From here, the space flows towards the dining and living areas where timber panelling adorns the ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass windows give views to the aforementioned central tropical gardens and out to the river.

From the main living area and kitchen, the outdoor entertaining terrace is accessed. The luxurious space is fitted with an in-built barbeque and fireplace, kitchenette with bar fridges, sunken lounge and a pool while an attached mooring allows homeowners to lap up their watery surrounds.

Sanctuary Cove

Elsewhere, the home’s master suite sees curved architectural features, glass Venetian-style shutters, a walk-in robe and an ‘indoors-outdoors’ ensuite that offers privacy through the residences central gardens (while still feeling like you’re outside). A further two bedrooms and study are found throughout the home as well as a private laundry courtyard.

Beyond the Cove House’s considered finishes, it holds a submerged rainwater tank, a solar photovoltaic system capable of 15kW alongside three Tesla energy storage batteries furthering its green cred.

The listing is with Matt Gates (+61 404 444 439) of Ray White Sanctuary Cove; POA.

Raywhitesanctuarycove.com.au

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Inside Aston Martin’s First Luxury Apartments

Aston Martin Apartments

Aston Martin’s design language extends well beyond luxury cars. From helicopters to boats the British marque has now tried its hand at the luxury home, the latest of which sees a collection of five exclusive homes available for purchase in the enviable 130 William building – New York City’s premier new luxury residential development.

Together with developer Lightstone, architect Sir David Adjaye and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman have worked select residence’s custom furnishings and architecture.

Adjate is responsible for the entire vision of 130 William – designing both interior and exterior elements – which holds 242 residences at over 244-metres and 66 storeys.

The exception being five fully furnished Aston Martin collaborated homes located on the 59th and 60th floors of 130 William with each featuring a private, expansive loggia spanning the entire length of the residence, while bespoke screens divide balconies into a series of distinct zones for dining and relaxing.

Furnishings boast a curated selection of handcrafted materials and textiles from the acclaimed Aston Martin Home Collection by Reichman and Adjaye with other nods to the British marque’s crosshatch pattern – found here in bronze – alongside a smoked glass mirror engineered by Aston Martin and which reflects the city’s skyline.

The flowing spaces combine with the kitchen featuring custom textured blackened oak Italian cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances, marble countertops and a cantilevered Nero Marquina marble top – which acts as additional bar seating.

Bathrooms feature a textured Italian Salvtori marble throughout with the master featuring a solid carved marble bathtub and carved marble double vanity sinks alongside a walk-in shower.

Of the master suite expect an expansive bed with custom cashmere headboard cushions, slender metal detailing alongside bedsides by Formitalia, spacious walk-in closets and wall-mounted lighting by Boffi.

Buyers will have the option of customising one of the rooms in the two-and three-bedroom homes in a racing simulator, an office and library space or bedroom.

As something of a sweetener, owners will also receive the 130 William Adjaye Special Edition Aston Martin DBX in a bespoke colour inspired by the building’s exterior and which features unique elements such as real stone accents, marble inlays matched with satin walnut wood interior finishes and leathers that includes ‘parliament green’ trim and a steering wheel from Aston Martin’s customisation service, ‘Q by Aston Martin.’

Priced from approx. $5.65m with penthouses from approx. $14.8m; astonmartinresidences.com

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One Of Hawthorn’s Finest Hits The Market

Hawthorn Grove, Shakespeare

In Hawthorn’s most desirable street, less than 15 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and nearby to the Yarra River, leading schools and local dining precincts, this three-storey home is set on approx. 886sqm, offering 5-bedrooms, 5-bathrooms and space for seven cars.

Designed by Charles Salter, of Salter Architects, with interiors by Jessie Cook of Cook Gordon Architects, the home finds Harper & Sandilands oak flooring underfoot while bespoke panelling and brickwork arches come to define the home’s aesthetic.

The kitchen boasts Miele appliances and a Liebherr built-in double door fridge, marble benchtops, and a butler’s pantry while the connected living, meals and alfresco dining area is elevated with the aforementioned timber panelling and a fireplace.

A formal dining, study, laundry and powder room are also found here.

Also on the ground level is the master suite, which sees private access to the verandah, another fireplace, large walk-in-robe and ensuite decorated in marble with twin vanities, dark timber cabinetry and a standalone bath.

The combination of marble and dark timber cabinetry extends to the powder room, while marble is replaced with a granite vanity in the upstairs, pool house and lower ground family bathrooms.

Upstairs sees the other four bedrooms, one of which is privy to an ensuite, private balcony and walk-in-robe.

On the lower ground floor arrives an expansive family room which houses a cellar servicing 144 bottles. Elsewhere, the showroom style garage houses five vehicles and boasts its own rear-lane access. A further two car spots are also available on the property

The outdoor area truly impresses with an incredible in-ground heated pool alongside a pool house which acts as a covered resort-style pavilion complete with its own bathroom. It is further complemented by the alfresco dining area – ideal for entertaining – arriving with an in-built BBQ, tap, sink and mini-bar fridge, detailed with stone benchtops.

The home is fitted with multiple CCTV security cameras, with back to base monitoring, accessible via mobile while a 14 zone Sonos sound system is found throughout.

1 Shakespeare Grove, Hawthorn, Melbourne is listed with Jock Langley (+61 419 530 008) and Emma Pierson (+61 409 182 310) of Abercromby’s Real Estate and is set for auction Friday 11 December. Price guide; $8.8 million.

Abercrombys.com.au

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A Country Manor In Sydney’s Castle Hill

This multi-property estate sits in one of Sydney’s Hills District’s most sought after areas across an expansive 3504sqm block.

Located in a quiet cul-de-sac, minutes from the newly built Sydney Metro link to the CBD, this extremely unique, the five-star property includes two stunning residences that holds 8-bedrooms, 5-bathrooms and 5-car parking split across two residences and two separate titles.

With resort-like luxury features throughout, the home also boasts an array of enviable amenities such as championship sized tennis court (with floodlights for an after dark hit), covered in-ground pool, sauna, spa and wine cellar.

The main residence holds four generous bedrooms across the upper level, including the master suite complete with large dressing room, built in daybed and opulent full-size marble bathroom and spa – complementing the other bathrooms.

Downstairs sees a main living space seamlessly linking to the outdoors, as well as a bespoke kitchen finished with marble and stone benchtops, alongside a handmade Italian cooktop and oven.

The alfresco dining area overlooks the tennis court and manicured grounds that include waterfall feature, bridge and koi pond, making for a relaxing area to unwind and also entertain.

Further luxuries include a dedicated theatre room with bar.

The second residence boasts a lift connecting the ground floor with the upper level featuring two king-size bedrooms that share well-appointed bathroom ensuite, along with a further bedroom. Three bathrooms fill the second home, featuring floor to ceiling tiling while parquet floors in the foyer transition to open plan living connected to an alfresco entertaining area that includes sauna, jacuzzi and wine cellar.

All enquiries to LJ Hooker Dural’s William Brush (02 9651 1566).

dural.ljhooker.com.au