Historic Rosebank Cottage in Bungendore renovated to offer contemporary living

Sometimes an old house can strike it lucky with an owner who understands how to revive a property’s former glory.

Rosebank Cottage in Bungendore has to be counted as one of the lucky ones in having Alix Burnett as its owner.

The antique dealer bought the heritage-listed home with a mission to restore the property to its 19th-century splendour.

“I was 20 when I bought the cottage in the 1990s and fell in love with the place at first sight. I have always had a passion for old buildings and this house was just so pretty,” Alix says.

Since extending Rosebank Cottage to three times its original size, Alix and her husband have been commended by the National Trust of Australia for the renovations.

The trust has also opened the house to the public to show renovators how to extend historic homes without destroying their original character.

“Maintaining the home’s history and character has always been paramount with everything we have done to the property, including the garden,” Alix says.

Alix called on a suite of design experts including an architect, colourist, landscaper and stonemason to ensure the cottage was transformed into a spacious version of its former self.

“What we love about the property is that it is very beautiful to look at and live in and has a very special feel about it. It has the history of the cottage but the benefit of large contemporary living areas as well,” Alix says.

There are eight sitting areas in the garden among fountains, lawns, courtyards and terraces. The house, which is on a 2085-square-metre block, overlooks tree-lined pathways and grazing land.

Other features of Rosebank Cottage include high ceilings, modern kitchen, two en suites, two bathrooms, four fireplaces and ducted gas heating and airconditioning.

The Burnetts are selling the house to concentrate on restoring two more 19th century homes that they have in their Bungendore property stable.

No. 7 Turallo Terrace, Bungendore, is for sale by negotiation through Berkely Residential agent Simon Richards. Price guide: $1.7 million. Inspect: By appointment.

Home has come a long way

One of Yarralumla’s oldest homes is also one of the blue-chip suburb’s most ideally located.

This elegant 1920s house is close to Lake Burley Griffin foreshore, Royal Canberra Golf Club and is opposite Westbourne Woods reserve.

Owner Chris Bailey says the home has come a long way aesthetically in the six years since he bought it.

“The house was yellow back in 2010,” Chris says.

“It had been extended in the 1980s and in need of some work. It’s almost 100 years old and it’s a very well constructed home but it had humble beginnings as a brick-factory-worker’s cottage so that was the tone we wanted to stay with.”

Fresh paint, a landscaped garden and tweaks to the interior breathed new life into the weatherboard property.

The three-bedroom home offers space with two double bedrooms and two modern bathrooms. Other features include a studio suitable for a home business or conversion into a granny flat.

No 22 Banks Street, Yarralumla, is for sale through Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Woden and Weston Creek agent Shane Killalea via expressions of interest which close on May 23. Price guide: $1.25 million. Inspect: Saturday 1.30pm- 2.15pm EER: 0.5