Struggling to utilise a downstairs space connecting a kitchenette and storage area, he contacted the owner of Ortenburg Interiors for advice. 

From her studio, Juli and her son Justin, an architecture graduate, classical musician, and seasoned sketcher, began creating a space she fondly refers to as ‘The Man Cave’. 

“Initially the client wanted only to upgrade the kitchenette and had not given much thought to the adjoining storage area,” says Juli. 

“I asked him what he intended to use the area for.  

“His response was a place to entertain friends and family visiting from Sydney.  

PLANNING 

Agreeing on the overall direction and budget for the man cave, Juli set about measuring the space and sketching a basic layout. 

The concept was modelled digitally in 3D while she ensured adequate storage remained priority. 

“This included display shelving for his collection of spirits, liqueurs, and memorabilia, cabinetry under the bar and a bar fridge, dishwasher, sink, and as much cupboard space as possible in the new repositioned kitchenette.” 

Final plans were completed in Computer Aided Design (CAD), including cabinetry drawings, lighting, plumbing, and electrical markings, before Juli organised each trade. 

PROBLEM SOLVING 

To utilise the space more effectively, Juli and her team had to add an extra 200mm to the storage area. 

She devised a plan, together with her go-to engineer, that included removing a wall and replacing it with a reinforced steel beam. 

“200mm doesn’t sound like much but can make a world of difference to the usability of a space,” Juli says. 

“We re-plasted the ceiling where needed, problem solved.” 

UNIQUENESS 

Juli’s next “a-ha” moment came when she spotted a recurring theme. 

“My client had several model vintage motorcycles along with a sign he had made that read ‘Dad’s Bar – again’,” she said.

“This prompted me to pursue this theme, using colour and texture to create a dark and moody vintage/industrial vibe. 

“At the completion of the project, taking pride of place in the centre of the bar, flanked by the floating shelves, is the ‘Dad’s Bar’ sign, a decidedly quirky finishing touch adding homely warmth and familiarity to the space.”  

COLOUR AND TEXTURE 

It was a feature on the cupboards that became a subtle nod to the linearity of machines, adding another texture to the man cave. 

Using Polytec’s Botanica as the choice of green added yet another layer of depth. 

“Wallpaper was also an effective way to introduce textures,” says Juli. 

“And, I simply couldn’t resist including a colour clothweave  which struck a balance between grunge and velvety elegance, while solid Tasmanian oak added a raw simplicity to the otherwise deep and rich palette.” 

UNITY 

Juli says repeating a feature in two separate areas is a clever way to unify the space. 

In this case she used the same engineered stone bench top in both the bar and kitchenette. 

“The kitchenette has a much sleeker silhouette, using dark wenge grain cabinetry and a smoky mirror splashback. However, there remain references to the adjoining space, including the matt black handles featuring the same lineal grooves as the under-bench cupboards in the bar.” 

ADVICE 

If you’re thinking about renovating, Juli suggests homeowners take the time to familiarise themselves with the house, coming to terms with likes and dislikes, what works and what doesn’t, before taking action. 

“Scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration can be a great starting point, but the infinite options available might overwhelm you into a state of indecisiveness,” she warns. 

“It’s worth noting that not all styles or trends are going to work for your property, and an expert will help you narrow down the possibilities and find a direction that’s appropriate to the existing building.” 

With more than 25 years in the industry, Juli can offer fresh advice for any challenging spaces. 

“Having an experienced professional guiding you can be such a game changer, saving you so much expense and headache in the long term. 

“We can come up with solutions you may never have considered that add value to your property.” 

For more stories like this:

• Discover the best restaurants in Newcastle
• Five steps to buying your first home
• History Illuminated 2023 sets sail

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LGA: Newcastle 

Part of Islington’s appeal is its diversity. 

The gentrified suburb that sits on the fringes of Hamilton and Wickham, is just a stone’s throw from Newcastle’s waterways and CBD, making it popular amongst a range of age groups. 

It is home to one of Newcastle’s largest parks, is nestled on the banks of Throsby Creek and boasts plenty of walking and cycling paths and a popular off-leash dog park. 

Food lovers are spoiled for choice too, with an array of cuisines on offer from every corner of the globe. 

Its shopping, services, bars and cafes make Islington a destination in itself. 

Its diversity also stretches to its real estate landscape, says Green St Property licensee Peter Aloupis. 

“I’d say its vibe can be described as ‘new renaisSance’. 

“As it becomes more popular, we’re seeing prices reaching up to $2 million and even $4 million.  

“We just sold a block for $495,000 and with so much going on in the way of development, it’s a suburb that continues to grow and attract new buyers.” 

Suburb Amenities: 

Suburb snapshot:  

Central to both Beaumont Street and Maitland Road, Islington is abuzz with shoppers and diners most days, and into the nights.   

It is home to new developments that will offer a range of housing options from basic townhouses to luxury apartments. 

“It’s getting a new flavour to it,” Aloupis says. 

“It’s exciting to see Islington progressing into an enviable suburb that is gaining attention from buyers near and far.” 

24 Fern Street, Islington 

Land size: 236 sqm 

$495,00 Sold at Auction on 15 July 2023 

Agent – Josh Mana 

4/113 Albert Street, Islington 

3 bed 3 bath 2 car Townhouse 

$1,074,500 Sold on 12 April 2023 

Agent – Josh Mana 

3/113 Albert Street, Islington 

3 bed 3 bath 1 car Townhouse 

Sold for $1,080,000 on 16 May 2023

Agent – Peter Aloupis 

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The iconic property, 12 kilometres west of Maitland, was recently listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in recognition of its pivotal role as the first coach station inland along the Great North Road.

Owners Dr Allan and Dr Lisa Thomas were elated by the decision, following a recommendation from the Heritage Council of NSW.

“We have cherished this estate for 35 years,” they said.

“So, we nominated it for State Heritage Register listing to help share its history and preserve this landmark for generations to come.

“The Georgian Colonial-style coach house was a vital rest stop for weary travellers and horses on the Great North Road, a major colonial trade and communication route connecting Newcastle, Maitland and the developing inland settlements.”

Lochinvar Coach House and Setting was built by visionary entrepreneur Henry Nowland.

He developed an extensive coaching network predating the well-known Cobb and Co by more than two decades.

Mr Nowland was one of the earliest Royal Mail contractors and established routes spanning from Maitland to Morpeth, encompassing the Hunter Valley settlements, inland regions like Armidale, and extending all the way to Brisbane.

The house itself is a testament to the period’s architectural heritage.

Constructed with locally-sourced materials and convict labour, it showcases the Georgian Colonial-style, referring to buildings constructed in Australia from 1788 to 1840.

“At the beginning of the 1800s, transport and communication between early colonial settlements was fraught with danger,” Heritage Council of NSW chair Frank Howarth said.

“Passage through the country was notoriously uncomfortable and bushrangers would wait for the coaches on isolated roads to rob the mail runs.

“So, Nowland’s Lochinvar Coach House and Setting, along with its spelling paddocks, provided a welcome respite for equines and passengers.

“The (Georgian Colonial) style was popularised during the reigns of the four British monarchs George I-IV and featured buildings, which were symmetrical in design.

“Rural houses were generally humble in their presentation with a hipped roof and wrap around veranda.

“The coach house has served many purposes over the years, from a wayside inn and Royal Mail station to a licensed inn and eventually a residence, all the while maintaining its structural integrity and historical significance.”

NSW Department of Planning and Environment executive director heritage Sam Kidman admitted Nowland’s Lochinvar Coach House and Setting was an extraordinary example of a colonial property.

“It’s largely original and has been continuously occupied from the time it was constructed in the 1840s,” he said.

“It is a rare and exemplary representation of rural architecture from that period.

“This listing will provide protection to the Lochinvar Coach House to ensure its stories are upheld.”

For more property stories:

• Housing affordability worst it’s been in 30 years
• Right property, right price, buyer’s advocate the right start
• Five steps to buying your first home

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For more home inspo:

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64 Womboin Road Lambton NSW 2299 

When they bought their Lambton home more than a decade ago, the owners of number 64 Womboin Road were launching into the real estate market for the first time. 

The beautiful corner cottage had drawn them in with its charm, while the location was exactly what they’d hoped for. 

As the years went by, they lovingly spent their weekends renovating each and every room of what they thought would be their forever home. 

But, life changes, and with a growing family they are reluctantly parting with their first love. 

This home, says its real estate agent Steph Jordan, is ready for its next chapter, and would once again be perfect for a first home buyer. 

“It’s a very cute cottage and it’d be ideal as a first home,” Steph says. 

“It’s charming, the price makes it accessible, all the work has been done for you, and who wouldn’t want to live in this location, it’s the perfect place to start your home ownership journey.” 

The home itself is a blend of traditional character with distinct contemporary style. 

From its sweet street appeal that includes a white picket fence and well-established hedge, to its original hardwood flooring and semi-enclosed outdoor sun deck. 

Inside you’ll find three bedrooms, separate living and dining areas, a modern kitchen and a renovated bathroom. 

And while it has maintained its character, it has updated its list of comforts, with ducted air-conditioning and plantation shutters throughout. 

Walking distance from the buzzing hubs of Lambton and New Lambton, sports, shopping, restaurants and cafes. 

For more stories like this:

• Your guide to markets in our region
• Hotter, drier summer forecast for the Hunter
• Suburb profile: New Lambton

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It was also the last time the average Australian household could buy an affordable home. 

A PropTrack report released late last week confirms housing affordability is now at its worst level in more than 30 years, with rising mortgage rates and increasing home prices crippling the average Australian household. 

Families in NSW, Tasmania and Victoria are being hit the hardest. 

Households earning the median income, which is currently $121,000, can afford the smallest share of homes since 1995. 

That’s when housing affordability records began, that’s when the average Australian household could afford just 13% of homes on the market. 

In August 2023, the typical-income household in NSW could afford just 7% of homes sold statewide. 

PropTrack senior economist and report co-author Angus Moore says several factors are to blame. 

“Surging home prices throughout the pandemic and rapidly rising interest rates over the past year have brought housing affordability to its worst level in at least three decades,” he states.  

“The situation is especially challenging for lower-income households and first-home buyers.  

“Mortgage interest rates have increased extremely rapidly from the record lows in 2020 and 2021, following RBA rate hikes that began in May 2022.  

“This has caused the sharpest increase in mortgage rates since the mid-1980s and has reduced borrowing capacities by as much as 30% for new borrowers.  

“At the same time, existing borrowers, which make up around a third of Australian households, have faced sharp increases in mortgage repayments.  

“A typical recent borrower now faces repayments as much as 50% higher than in early 2022.  

“In August, home prices rose for the eighth consecutive month.  

A household earning $64,000 per year can afford just 3% of homes in Australia as it currently stands. 

In NSW that means the average income household could purchase just 7% of of available homes.

Servicing a mortgage is close to as hard as it has ever been, only just below the peak reached in 1989.  

A household earning average income would need to spend a third of their income on mortgage repayments to buy a median-priced home. 

And, while incomes have risen, particularly in the private sector, it is still not comparable to mortgage rates. 

“This has been insufficient to offset higher home prices and, critically, the surge in mortgage rates,” says Mr Moore. 

For more stories like this:

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Working independent of real estate agents, the Hunter-based buyer’s advocate says his role is to help his client’s achieve financial independence. 

“We minimise the most common mistakes investors make, which is buying the wrong property, selecting the wrong location, and overpaying,” he says. 

“The goal is to buy the right property at the right price.” 

It’s a process that begins by asking the right questions. 

“We start by asking why you want to invest in real estate, where are you at now, and where do you want to be in x-number of years from now,” Nigel says. 

“Then we’ll look at what to buy and where, whether you should build, buy an existing home, townhouse, block, or subdivision. 

“We’ll form a strategy unique to the client, and then the analysis, research and acquisition process begins, working within a buyer’s budget and always aligned to their goals. 

With a resume that includes naval officer, engineer, and construction valuation technology management, buyer’s advocate and qualified property investment advisor Nigel Watts, has an attention to detail that is second to none. 

Together with his passion for property, the father-of-two has been buying and investing in property for the past 25 years. 

Through his role at Niva Property, he now plans to share what he’s learned. 

“We aim to remove the buyer from the emotion and stress of the purchase, and to get the best possible outcome for the buyer.” 

For more property news:

• Suburb profile: New Lambton
• Lake Mac suburb makes top 10 NSW housing boom list
• How to solve Hunter housing crisis

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LGA: Newcastle 

The people fortunate enough to call New Lambton home are a very patriotic bunch.  

If you ask them, they will very proudly list all the reasons why their suburb is one of the best in the region. 

Parks, shopping, a sports stadium, doctors, health practitioners, walking tracks, a nature reserve, and schools that are the envy of neighbouring postcodes. 

It also boasts 29 parks that cover almost 40% of its total land area. 

For Lisa Macklin Property director Lisa Macklin, New Lambton is more like a village than an address. 

“People move in and around New Lambton, but very rarely do they leave,” she says.   

After her husband had spent a lifetime in the suburb, this is where the pair chose to raise their own son, and ironically this is also where he resides with his own family. 

“New Lambton is such a family-friendly suburb, it honestly is a wonderful place to live.” 

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE $1,025,000 

MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE $630 per week 

HIGHEST DEMOGRAPHIC 40- to 49-year-olds with children 

Suburb snapshot: 

New Lambton is a hive of activity most days, with the suburb’s 11,000 residents popping in and out of the main shopping precinct at various times of the day. 

From beauty, books, coffees, and groceries, to fish and chips, pubs and homewares, the postcode services the community both within and outside its 5.5km radius. 

The former coal mining township stretches from its 450-acre nature reserve on one side to its 30,000-capacity international sports centre on the other. 

It sits on the border of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGAs. 

Suburb Amenities  

Primary Schools x2 

John Hunter Hospital 

Newcastle Private Hospital 

Hotels and clubs x 5 

Quality Boutique Shopping Village 

Blackbutt Reserve 

38 Addison Rd, New Lambton, 

3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car 556sqm House 

$1,410,5000 10/07/23 

Lisa Macklin 

26 Meadow Rd New Lambton 

3 bed, 2bath, 2 car house  468 sqm 

$1,200,000  19/04/23 

Stephanine Jordan 

6a Henley St, New Lambton 

3 bed, 2 bath, I car – Townhouse  – 232 sqm 

$1,167,000 13/06/23 

Lisa Macklin 

For more property news:

• Maitland named NSW’s fastest growing region
• Exiting investors keeping market bouyant
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So, what’s next?

Well, this is where the fun begins – or the stress if you’re not prepared, warns Curtis & Blair director/principal Jane Blair.  

 
Step 1 – Your offer has been accepted. 
It’s time to send the required details to your real estate agent and advise your bank or broker that your offer has been accepted. The real estate agent will send a sales advice to the vendor’s solicitor and your solicitor outlining the sale price, contact details and conditions of sale.  

 
Step 2 – Deposit and reports 
It’s at this time the agent will ask for a deposit – generally an initial .25% deposit so that contracts can be exchanged with a cooling off period, allowing you time to do pest and building reports, and for the bank to do a valuation so formal approval can be obtained. This also prevents anyone else from offering on the property once contracts are exchanged, however, you should be aware that if the sale does not proceed from here the .25% is not refundable.  
Sometimes, due to time frames your conveyancer/solicitor may seek a 10-day cooling off period to make sure there is time to complete all of the necessary due diligence. 

 
Step 3 – What happens if there are issues? 
If you’re not happy with the pest and building report, there are two options – you can either ask the seller to fix the issues or you may ask for a reduction to fix the issues yourself.  
If there’s an issue with finance and you are unable to obtain formal approval you must notify your agent immediately. You will also lose the .25% deposit that you paid.   
Once you’re happy with all the reports and your bank has advised you have formal lending approval you must pay the balance of the 10% deposit before the cooling off period ends.  
 

Step 4 – Pop the champagne 
You have unconditionally exchanged contracts. On exchange of contracts your solicitor/conveyancer will advise a settlement date.  
 

Step 5 – Final inspection 
Just prior to settlement you should contact your agent to arrange a pre-settlement inspection. This is a final inspection to make sure all inclusions that were noted on the contract remain at the house and that everything is in working order as it was when you inspected the property. It is also a good time to make sure any rubbish etc has been removed from the property.  
On the big day your real estate agent will advise when settlement has taken place and the keys will then be released to you.  

Congratulations you now own a home! 

For more property stories:

• What about Raymond Terrace?
• Rental crisis worsens as available houses halve in number
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10 Waropara Road, Medowie 2318 

Set on a generous 9,997 square-metre block, this home could be perfect for a buyer who is ready to find a better work-life balance. 

With enough space for a whole family, their pets, toys, and hobbies, there is little that won’t help lower the blood pressure. 

“Peaceful, tranquil, and relaxed” are all terms Curtis and Blair real estate agent Jane Blair has used to describe this rural retreat. 

The single-level brick home 

“It’s a tranquil haven that’s all yours,” Jane says. 

“It’s the perfect setting for those seeking a relaxed small-acreage lifestyle.” 

The home itself boasts four-bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two separate living areas. 

Its list of features includes an updated kitchen and flooring, ducted air-conditioning, a fireplace, ceiling fans, a media room, an ensuite and walk-in robes throughout. 

A large freestanding garage and carport mean having guests for gatherings is easily sorted, too. 

Outside, fenced paddocks and an expansive backyard mean new owners could welcome horses, dogs, goats, or alpacas into the fold, with an established chicken coop and orchard ready to accommodate edible gardens and fresh free-range eggs.  

A solar heated swimming pool with adjacent pool shed, accessible shower and extensive courtyard mean most of the warmer seasons are sure to be spent outdoors, and the tree-lined block offers the privacy to appreciate it. 

Schools, a medical centre, cafes, and shops are all within 3km and the new international airport is less than 10-minutes by car. 

Price $1.25 million. 

Contact Jane Blair from Curtis and Blair. 

For more stories like this:

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