Not every dream begins in a chapel…but this one very nearly did. When the owner couldn’t find the perfect church to restore, she designed her own from scratch: Ingle-nook is a soulful sanctuary inspired by sacred spaces and shaped by love, local hands, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The result? A handcrafted and locally sourced haven that honours the earth, defies convention, and holds you with quiet reverence.
Tucked behind a circular driveway and framed by a charming, stone-edged garden, this two-storey double brick home invites an exhale the moment you arrive. The design brief was simple but bold: every element must be born sustainable, repurposed, handmade or locally crafted. And it shows - in every grain, every beam, every considered element.
Step through the double doors and into a warm, grounded embrace with bamboo floors stretching underfoot. Upstairs, the open-plan kitchen, meals, and living space unfolds beneath exposed timber trusses, bathed in light from hand-crafted windows made by a local Transylvanian artisan. A Welsh-designed fireplace anchors the room - perfect for slow roasts, deep conversations, or joyful chaos around a long, laughter-filled table. The kitchen is equal parts practical and poetic, with a 900mm stainless steel cooker, dishwasher, messmate benches, and plenty of space to create with soul.
Descend the vine-wrapped staircase - crafted from Malaysian twisted timber and a Warburton-sourced cedar beam - and you’ll discover a second generous living area, complete with a Coonara wood fire and soaring ceilings crowned by a stunning “sun” pendant. Down the hall, three oversized bedrooms are insulated by 1-foot-thick cobb mud walls that help regulate the temperature, each a retreat in its own right with Danish oil heaters offering cosy, energy-efficient warmth.
And then there’s the chandelier clad bathroom - a serene, spa-like space with a pebble-tiled deep soaking bath long enough for a full-body stretch, and twin stone basins that echo the earthy elegance found throughout.
From alfresco breakfasts with birdsong to firepit chats under the stars, the outdoor areas invite connection - to nature, to people, to stillness. With bushfire shutters, full sarking, rainwater tank, Ethernet data points, and native gardens that attract local wildlife, the home is ready for both the elemental and the everyday.
All this, just minutes from Olinda and Mount Dandenong Villages, the Rhododendron Gardens, Destiny Point, and Sky High. A retreat, a story, and an artwork you get to live in.
At a Glance:
- Soulful, sustainable home inspired by church architecture on over ½ acre (approx 2609m2)
- Locally made timber doors/windows, double brick construction
- Two-storey design with bamboo floors and soaring ceilings
- Open-plan kitchen/living/dining with Welsh-designed wood fire
- Kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and messmate timber benches
- Luxe bathroom with pebble-tiled bath and twin stone basins
- Separate toilet with integrated powder room in the laundry.
- Second living downstairs with Coonara heater and pendant feature light
- 3 oversized bedrooms with cobb mud wall hallway and Danish heaters
- French doors to alfresco zone and firepit area
- Bushfire shutters, sarking, and rainwater tank
- Garden shed
- Ethernet + wireless internet
- Space for garage (STCA), circular drive with stonewall entrance and abundant off-street parking
- Close to Sky High, local villages, gardens and trails
- The ultimate in mountain living, providing peace and privacy yet a commutable distance to Melbourne CBD, close to Montrose too, with it's easy access to public transport and schools.
Disclaimer: All information provided has been obtained from sources we believe to be accurate, however, we cannot guarantee the information is accurate and 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.
