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After years of dreaming about making a sea change out of Melbourne, interior designer Tara Kennedy found a vacant block near Torquay that ticked all the boxes.
‘I called the agent — he told me it had just sold,’ Tara says.
‘The very next day, Stage 4 lockdown hit and the agent rang back to say the buyers had pulled out. We jumped on it. First impressions? It felt like we were out in the country, but only four minutes from the beach — best of both worlds.’
Tara and her husband Mick seized the opportunity to build their dream family home where every day could feel like a holiday, taking notes from the classic, white-rendered buildings of the Greek islands and the vibe of relaxed resorts.
‘One of the big reasons I leaned into that holiday feel is because I had a real fear of flying — so I never imagined I’d get the chance to visit those kinds of destinations,’ she adds.
‘Instead, I brought the holiday to us. Every detail was chosen with that in mind.’
The main living and kitchen area forms the heart of the home, featuring soaring six-metre pitched ceilings and oak herringbone floors, connected to an expansive Palm Springs-inspired alfresco zone built around a crazy-paved fireplace hearth.
It’s a true entertainer’s dream where long lunches can easily turn into sunset soirees, with views across the pool and spa.
Handmade finishes enhance the luxurious atmosphere inside, with limestone, travertine, and handmade Moroccan tiles peppered throughout. The floor plan was created with family living in mind, offering privacy for the parents’ retreat, a second rumpus room, and a self-contained studio dubbed the ‘barn’, complete with a home office, kitchenette and a bedroom for guests.
‘What I love most about the house is how much natural light we get through all the oversized windows — it makes the whole place feel bright and open,’ Tara says.
The five-bedroom house is now on the market for the first time, and the owners say they’ll miss 13 Leicester Street‘s serene gardens, calming location and family-friendly neighbourhood.
‘And the views… Waking up each morning to see the pool and gardens right outside the window has been such a dream.’
13 Leicester Street, Torquay VIC 3228 is for private sale with Suzy Jones and Lynne Hayden from Links Property.
