20 Sandow Road Lower Chittering WA 6084
Nestling into its landscape, with magnificent sweeping views down a wooded valley, Valentine Springs is a salute to rural Australia and the very best of modern design; this bold, steel-framed, glass and zincalume residence is light-filled and spacious and offers a lifestyle of simplicity and tranquility. Situated in Lower Chittering, this property is peaceful and private, but close enough to the CBD for commuting; Perth airport is within easy reach, just 45 minutes away.
The intelligent design and perfect orientation of this elegant and luxurious house enable solar-passive principles to embrace the winter sun and exclude the summer heat, providing year-round comfort as the house is naturally warm in winter and cool in summer. This thoughtful design includes strategically placed eaves, suspended roof areas and high ceilings creating pleasant natural breezeways. Although the house benefits from under-floor heating and air conditioning, these are almost never used by the present owners. This summer the air conditioning has only been on for one day due to the efficiency of the solar-passive design. There is a significant saving in energy costs and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; this is a sustainable ‘home of the future’.
The hub of Valentine Springs is a 20-metre long glass box, six meters deep, which overlooks the lap-pool and houses the U-shaped stainless steel kitchen, a dining space and a large living area, which is perfectly designed for entertaining. Behind the main kitchen, a second kitchen/utility room incorporates a pantry, laundry and additional food preparation area. There is a polished concrete floor throughout the house.
A book-lined winter sitting room and library – with an open fireplace – is at the western end of the house; the library opens into the office.
Much of the furniture is custom-made and built-in, complementing the overall design.
Light, location and luxury combine with the lifestyle of rural tranquility at ‘Valentine Springs’.
The spacious north-facing master bedroom suite, with glass doors to an outside covered area, has a bath, double basins, shower and dressing room with built-in wardrobes behind it.
On the southern aspect, there are two double-bedded guest suites, each with their own en-suite shower room, walk-in wardrobe and separate entrance to the house.
The main cedar deck is perfect for entertaining: large sit-down dinner parties and dancing.
Outside the master bedroom and the library, there are additional covered areas, both enjoying wonderful views of the largest dam.
Water is in plentiful supply with a spring and large feature dam. A tank holds 250,000 litres of rainwater collected from the expansive roof area and is equipped for pumping or gravity feeding from its elevated location. Six further small holding tanks are situated at the corners of the house. Another dam is strategically located in the southern paddock and, as it is fed from run-off and a winter creek, there is potential for expansion in this area. Four paddocks, each with their own dam, are well fenced and have been used for cattle grazing and horses.
The zincalume shed is 12 x 9 metres (108 sq metres) with power and a concrete floor with long-term garaging for up to 4 vehicles.
The fertile Chittering Valley is renowned for its citrus orchards, vineyards and lush grazing country. A short drive away is the famous Swan Valley with its many wineries and restaurants.