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Whoever said you can’t buy class – well they’ve clearly never seen this immaculate property in the quiet of Duffys Forest
I like to arrive early at house inspections (in fact I like to arrive early everywhere, an annoying habbit for everyone but me). It allows me time to take in the atmosphere without pressure from agents or owners hovering over me.
The 10 minutes I had to myself outside 5 Kinka Rd were superb.
I heard a rooster crow and a nearby horse snorting from behind a manicured hedge and I watched gnats play chasings in the wintery light. Not another sound or movement occurred.
This is peace at it’s richest.
Guided through the grand double (electric) gate and along the manicured (again) buxus lined driveway, through the park-like grounds, it is a crazy amount of time before arriving at the turning circle and the front door. This is an entrance.
The delightful and chirpy owner and two lovable black labs greeted me at the door and the tour continued.
The inside of this gracious, two-storey home is filled with light, with the sun throwing patterns of french window panes across the carpet. The sunken, formal lounge, lined to the ceiling with bespoke bookcases filled with well read tomes draw visitors into its embrace, with the promise of good conversation in front of the central fireplace.
A look back across the room and you see a piano tucked into a sunny nook, a view of the garden a certain inspiration for creating beautiful music almost within reach, through a large picture window.
As we pass through the hall, with yet another window beckoning, the owner mentions how it was she who put the window there, after wondering what piece of artwork would look best hung on the wall.
She said she soon realised what art would look best – the unbeatable view of the glorious and ever changing grounds that roll on to the horizon, punctuated by specimen trees and curious objets.
The dining room, casual lounge and kitchen, then study and guest quarters stretch out along the flagged veranda. Every conceivable space opens up to the huge lawn, tennis court and pool, and in return the view and sunlight fill the rooms,
This is a house designed for families to play cricket, footy or badminton on a grand scale – hide and seek must be an all day affair.
There is a TV room in glamorous grey near the circular staircase that leads to the bedroom level. Every bedroom has, not just oodles of space, but heavy doors on the wardrobe and storage spaces that reinforce the notion that this is a solidly built home.
At the other end of the floor is the master suite, with breathtaking views from the juliet balcony and a dressing room worthy of royalty.
The utilitarian aspects of the home are equally well designed, the bathrooms spacious and modern, the kitchen enormous with a welcoming bar for those lucky enough to sit and watch a meal revealed.
Just a few steps away and more chance to be outside, where a large dining set sits between house, pool, and garden.
A better place to contemplate a wintery day is hard to imagine.
A home unlike any other, as warm as a summer morning and beguiling in its beauty awaits a lucky family.
Prue Miller is a writer with News Ltd and can be read in The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Telegraph and Manly Daily