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Rohan and Kelly White had spent two years living opposite London’s Big Ben and Westminster Bridge when they bought their “renovator’s delight” in Newtown, sight unseen.

They recall it wasn’t so much the house that attracted them to the property at 15 Read St in 2006, but the expanse of parkland it looked upon.

“Having lived with that congestion, when we saw the space and the park, we really fell in love with it,” said Mr White.

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On returning home to Geelong, the couple set about renovating the circa 1942 property, while preserving its charm.

“We wanted to modernise it and create a place that would suit our growing family, with open living, where we could interact with each other, but still have zones,” explained Mrs White.

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“We had also come to appreciate hydronic heating and double glazing when we lived in London, so we put in all the insulation that would make it comfortable and the sanctuary we wanted it to be.”

Today, the original hardwood floors and decorative cornices remain. But the old lean-to at the back of the house is gone and in its place is a stunning kitchen and family room that opens out through three sets of french doors to the deck and back garden.

It’s Mrs White’s favourite room in the house.

“It’s a lovely space because it’s an open-plan living area where we can all come together. You can have nice family interaction from the kitchen out to the deck, or to the living area.”

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Her husband’s favourite place is the front lounge room with its gas log fire and views of the park. The family uses it as a music room.

“Playing the piano and being able to look out over the park is great,” he said.

To the left of the central hallway are three bedrooms, all with built-in wardrobes, ceiling fans and plantation shutters. The main bedroom opens onto a private courtyard and has an ensuite with a bath and a walk-in wardrobe.

Mrs White, who has a keen eye for interior design, said a foundation of timber and white shades and adding dashes of leafy green (in the furnishings, kitchen splashback and front door) had captured “a spacious, light and bright feel”.

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Add to this, the large windows that bring in views of the bountiful greenery outside, and this is a home that lightens your mood as soon as you step inside.

Additional features of this property include a power room, study nook and a garage with built-in storage.

Read St sits in a special pocket of Newtown. Elderslie Reserve hosts the Newtown Chilwell Football and Netball Club, the Barwon River walking trails are close by, as is the Queens Park Golf Club, and the shopping strips along Shannon Ave and Pakington St. It is also close to the Ring Rd, making it ideal for Melbourne commuters.

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“We really do love the area, and we thought about staying, but it would have meant pulling apart the home that we created, because we wanted more space and we just couldn’t do it,” said Mrs White about the decision to sell.

“We have been here 16 years, we have awesome neighbours, but it’s time for a change and a slightly bigger home,” Mr White added.

Gartland, Geelong agents Will Ainsworth and Tom Luxton are handling the campaign to sell 15 Read St, Newtown, culminating in at auction on December 10 at 12.30pm.

Price hopes are $1.425m to $1.525m.