It’s straightforward to see why this charming seaside shack on the Mornington Peninsula caught the attention of its present house owners on their first drive-by, 5 years in the past.
Tucked away on a quiet one-way avenue, the unique weatherboard dwelling, which on the time was owned by an Italian couple who had lived there for 60 years, got here with a longtime vegetable backyard and mature fruit timber.
‘It’s so quiet and peaceable, being within the yard that backs onto the wetlands looks like a sanctuary,’ says the proprietor.
The property itself had equally sturdy foundations. However whereas the setting was idyllic, the unique ground plan wasn’t profiting from it.
To reimagine the house, the house owners enlisted Olaver Structure to overtake the interiors whereas rigorously retaining the unique character of the facade and entrance rooms.
‘Functionally, the plan wasn’t nicely related to the rear backyard — a missed alternative — and there was not a lot movement between areas,’ explains Emlyn Olaver, director of Olaver Structure.
The renovation, accomplished in 2023, changed the rear part of the home with a beneficiant open-plan kitchen, residing, and eating space, alongside a extra non-public foremost bed room suite.
Simply 20 sq. metres was added total, however the affect feels far better. New decks prolong from both aspect of a small courtyard, creating easy indoor-outdoor movement, whereas a examine, up to date laundry, and improved aspect entry make the house really feel quietly sensible in addition to lovely.
Most significantly, Olaver designed these new areas to seize the house’s prized north-westerly facet, while avoiding the temptation to overbuild.
‘We didn’t need the structure to be the hero,’ explains Emlyn. ‘The gardens and the life round and inside the structure are essential.’
Inside, the palette is calm and tactile, with mild oak flooring and joinery, pure stone, raked ceilings, and expansive home windows that body the encompassing coastal-meets-Mediterranean backyard — a nod to each to the house’s seaside location and its authentic Italian custodians — designed by Peachy Inexperienced.
It’s a house that feels embedded in its setting, and true to its beginnings.
Now, the present house owners have made the tough resolution to put up for sale. When requested what they’ll miss most about residing right here, their reply is speedy: ‘Every part!’
12 Tern Avenue, Capel Sound, VIC, is listed on the market with Jake Egan and Lilli McMillan from Marshall White. Expressions of curiosity shut 2pm AEST, Could 19, 2026.
