No need to worry about the big bad wolf huffing and puffing and blowing down this house of straw.
Based on sustainability principles, the two-bedroom home is made of straw bales encased in a limestone render.
Thick walls and north-facing walls of glass ensure this little piggy’s home is solid and solar passive.
Leave the curtains open in winter and the sun warms up the tiled floor, spreading warmth to the whole house.
In summer keep them shut until the Doctor comes in and you won’t need the air conditioner in the upstairs main bedroom.
“I have never used it, you just don’t need it,” the vendor says.
Rocking up to this home, sitting on a generous 589sqm sub-divided block, was like arriving in the country.
An orchard of fruit trees and huge permaculture vegie patches are backdropped by mature trees and more greenery in neighbouring properties.
This home has a whopping 20 fruit trees, including apricot, nectarine, peach, guava, apple, lemon and orange trees–and a pomegranate.
You step into the open-plan living/dining/kitchen from a timber decked alfresco area, shaded by a massive jacaranda that will look magnificent in November when it’s a haze of purple—unfortunately two months too late.
The kitchen is a generous space, with timber benches and bench tops but it is looking a bit tired and new owners will no doubt want to update.
Luckily there’s plenty of scope and space to do just that.
Limestone steps lead down to the living area, with its solid walls, soaring bush poles and masses of glass overlooking the garden.
A glass-walled and roofed sunroom is a lovely spot to enjoy warm spring sunshine, or to watch the fury of spring gales lash down while remaining warm and toasty.
Head upstairs and you’ll find a mezzanine sitting/kids’ play area and the two bedrooms, tucked under a sloping ceiling.
Both are double, and could have stepped straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
There’s no shortage of shops nearby, including one selling organic stuff. Although fruit and vegetables probably won’t be high on your list of things to buy living here.
The local primary school is pretty close too.
For your fairytale ending check this one out.
by JENNY D’ANGER
21A Howson St, Hilton
$589,000
Kris Cookson | 0413 773 644
O’Byrne Estate Agents | 9336 2666