18 Asbury Street West, OCEAN GROVE.

This attractive three bedroom, two bathroom home that sits gracefully upon prime 'old' Ocean Grove land at 18 Asbury St is a modern antique. Modern, due to its contemporary yet harmonious renovation, and antique because of its well-kept, classic Victorian-era features.

The result of a thorough and clever renovation is a home that appears vintage but one that performs as a youngster. For example, the new and deluxe ensuite bathroom and walk-in-robe in the master bedroom are two very modern features that have been crafted around an old, though classically appealing Victorian fireplace.

The home is replete with period details - all of which have been painstakingly sanded-back, polished, painted, rewired, redone, restored or renewed. On the outside is the verandah with its exposed rafters, the decorative timber work and the heavy front door with its elaborate panelling and coloured glazing. On the inside, high skirting boards surround polished baltic pine boards and there are architraves, cornices, ceiling roses and a hallway arch. But none of these are excessively ornate or garish. On the contrary, these Victorian features are simple, basic ones which set the tone for the spacious and contemporary feel of the home's modern additions and interior decor.

The bedrooms of the home are situated to the left and right of the wide central hallway. All are simply decorated, light-filled and feel spacious due to their large sash windows and high ceilings. Towards the end of the hallway is a stylish and brand new generously sized bathroom with bathtub and beyond this room is the open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge. This living area runs the rear width of the house.

In keeping with yesteryear, this new room has a country style, but it's country-chic, not countrified.
Clean lines, open spaces, large pale-wood bench-tops, stainless-steel appliances and modern inset sinks make for a functional and thoroughly attractive kitchen; in the middle of which is the practically positioned and highly sociable dining table - country style. Adjacent is the lounge area which opens - through French doors - onto a modern (i.e. large) rear entertainment deck from which ocean glimpses for a morning surf check and the low maintenance garden can be enjoyed. The home also comes with a split system air-conditioner and rainwater tanks.

Living in today's throwaway society, surrounded by excessive production of short-lived or disposable items reinforces the fact that antiques are an investment that will stand the test of time and lives. As fashions come and go, future generations will inherit an even rarer and, as a result, more sought-after and valuable antique. Best of all of these is an enduring, endearing and exciting antique that can be admired and lived in at the same time.