Add CategoryA historic Semaphore home has been sympathetically renovated to preserve its heart and soul, and updated to make it the perfect contemporary family property for generations to come.
Annette Fiedler bought the home eight years ago as a renovator, attracted by its potential for a transformation. But it was its external offerings that proved to be the strongest original drawcard.
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23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
“I saw the gardens which were fairly mature at the time, and I’m a gardener by nature and I knew I would absolutely love living there, and that’s what I’ve done – I’ve lived and breathed the garden really,” she says.
“I love that location. I lived in Ethelton many years ago and renovated a house there, and then moved down to North Haven and just wanted to get back to Semaphore. I love it there. It’s such a community-minded area, there’s always something happening and the vibe is very relaxed. Semaphore’s great because you’ve got all the festivals and all the fairs and shows, and there are always events on, so lots of people come down for that and they always wander down to my place after and settle in for the night, it’s really lovely.
23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
“A lot of people stay here too, because there’s plenty of space for everyone. Plus, everyone here is very caring, and it’s just a lovely place to live in all seasons. I told my neighbours I was selling and they started crying. It’s that sort of neighbourhood.
“The home itself was very well preserved, very lovely and very original, and to find one in that original condition is very hard to find these days. I really wanted it to have a mix of the old and new, so I’ve enhanced the old and all the comfort and luxury that comes with that, and then I’ve carried that through and opened it up to be modern through the back.”
In renovating the home, Ms Fiedler says she was never going to do it any other way than the best she possibly could.
23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
“I really did think I would be there for another 10 years, but it has just really got too big for me because my kids are all off doing their own things in their careers,” Ms Fiedler says. “Because I was doing it as a place to live long term, I did it to the best standard and quality I could. That’s just in me and I don’t think I could do it any other way. Quality lasts, and I really wanted to honour the heritage of the property. It was a farmer’s summer home and the original bells for the servants are still in the hallway, so it’s got so much history.”
23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
The home has four bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen, dining and family room, a separate lounge, quality fixtures and finishes throughout and a large alfresco area with an outdoor kitchen that overlooks the rear yard.
“I love entertaining, so to have a big table and an open kitchen area and a big outdoor area is lovely,” Ms Fiedler says.
23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
“I have had a lot of parties here and hosted a lot of family gatherings, and you’re both inside and outside the whole time – it just works really well. All the big events are held here, and I once held an afternoon tea here for about 60 women and there was plenty of room to move.”
But as amazing as the property is, Ms Fiedler says it’s the garage, complete with its electronic turntable and hoist, that turns its fair share of heads.
“We had a race car that we used to run at Virginia in there, and motorbikes and an old Morgan as well, so we needed somewhere to put the toys, and that’s a great work and show space,” she says.
23 Penny St, Semaphore. Pic: supplied.
“The turntable is amazing, and it’s a fantastic workshop, but that space could easily become a studio or extra living space or a family room. You could do whatever you liked with it.”
With Ms Fiedler looking to travel more, she’s now making the move to a lock-up-and-leave West Lakes Shore home, and is sure the next owners will love the property just as much as she has.
“It’s a really special place and it’s with a very heavy heart that I’ll leave it.”
Price: Contact agent.
Agent: Harcourts Smith, Kate Smith 0419 183 371.
Land size: 825sqm.
Auction: Saturday, August 20 at 1pm.