171 Ridge Road, Mount Dandenong, Vic 3767

Brimming with artistic history and boasting its own feature in The Design Files, this Fasham Johnson original sits on a flat half-acre and has been exquisitely crafted to cater for families, busy professionals, weekenders and retirees alike. Architecturally designed and offering private and relaxed living in a tranquil, community-minded hills neighborhood, this calming home is enviably positioned walking distance to village life in the highly prized Ridge Road. Once home to the Grey-Smith family (multi-generational artists of their time), and currently owned and enhanced by a local artist, it’s fair to say designer flair permeates the home.

Crafted from double besser blocks, clad in a bagged render, and beautifully integrated within its landscape, the lowset home was conceived to maximise light and create a seamless interplay between the house and the natural environment. Showcasing a tapestry of earthy materiality including polished concrete floors, rendered walls and plywood ceilings, every pared-back corner exudes a calm, homey ambience. But it’s the gardens which are the star of the show with serene vistas creating live art from every floor-skimming double-glazed pane – a signature design element throughout the home. Nurturing togetherness, the open plan living/meals radiates comfort and warmth with a toasty Nectre wood heater providing quintessential hills charm. 

An easy conversation away, a social kitchen is centered around a concrete island with dining bench, where a window splashback affords garden glances as you meal-prep, perfectly complementing the 900mm Ilve cooker, Franke sink and Bosch dishwasher. Nestled quietly down the hall, a two-bedroom layout could easily become four, but currently houses two king size rooms both with floor to ceiling robes and windows. The palatial primary bedroom with study nook spans the width of the home with a perfect view of the changing skies at sunset.

One of many favourite spots to savour in the warmer months, is the master retreat to quietly observe the eastern spinebills that frequent the kangaroo paws in the garden area. Both beautifully organic bathrooms mirror each other and are finished with luxe monsoon showers and the main with a showpiece bath to soak away the day with a perfect view of starry skies. Outside, easy-maintainable landscaped gardens and thoughtfully curated surroundings (including a work from home garden studio) create a picture-perfect backdrop from every angle and a haven for entertaining or child’s play. Rock framed garden beds brim with natives and indigenous plants including the large statement xanthorrhoea glauca (grass tree), lush tree ferns and the mesmerising dwarf snow gums.

The terraced design with blankets of lush lawn attracts many birdlife such as yellow-tailed black cockatoos, rosellas, king parrots, kookaburras, fairy wrens, lyrebirds, rainbow lorikeets and the odd echidna. Well connected to bus stops, lookouts, café culture, schools and tourist attractions, this is an opportunity to embrace a tree change and enjoy the beauty of hills living.

At a Glance:
• 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Fasham Johnson designed home on 2097m2 (built in 1980).
• Originally a four-bedroom house, but the previous owner renovated the interior to create two larger bedrooms.
• Large and flat half acre block offers the potential for an extension to the home in future with plans approved by Yarra Ranges council (drawings available).
• Well insulated with crossflow ventilation. 
• ARKit garden studio for home office or artists retreat featuring arbour entrance, inbuilt desk and shelves, new flooring and electric heating.
• Hundreds of natives planted, including local indigenous plants and rare premium plants.
• Luxaflex blinds, block out in bedrooms.
• Laundry installed and plumbed with cabinetry and pulley drying system.
• Nectre wood heater plus hydronic heating throughout.
• Tuscan aggregate driveway.
• Cubby and kid’s play deck.
• Veggie garden beds, self-watering (wicking) beds.
• New downpipes
• Wood and garden shed
• Storage shed renovated with deck to meld with the landscape.
• Carport plus ample off-street parking including space for a caravan/boat.

Disclaimer: All information provided has been obtained from sources we believe to be accurate, however, we accept no liability for any errors or omissions (including but not limited to a property's land size, floor plans and size, building age and condition) Interested parties should make their own enquiries and obtain their own legal advice.