An extensively renovated, very mid-century home in Kiama, which was being sold with its bespoke furniture included, has found a buyer. The property at 53 Thomson Street had its asking price recently reduced before being snapped up by a local buyer.
Price reduction leads to sale
The home was initially listed for sale via a timed online auction. Despite six registered bidders, selling agent Andy Wharton from First National Coast & Country said they were unable to secure a sale through that method. The property had a price guide of about $2.1 million, which was later reduced to between $1.85 million and $1.98 million as it remained on the market.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Wharton confirmed the home had sold to a local buyer who loves everything about the property and was relocating from a large unit. The sale price remains undisclosed, but he said it was within the range of the latest guide.
It's their style of property, that mid-century feel, Mr Wharton said of the new owners. And they also liked that there was no maintenance required, no renovation required. When we altered the price, it created far more interest, and they snapped it up.
Bespoke home not for everyone
Mr Wharton noted there had been an amazing amount of interest in the home, but it was also a bespoke two-bedroom home that doesn't suit everyone's needs.
Chris Shaw and husband Ian Treloggen bought the home in 2015. At that time, 53 Thomson Street was a boxy, blonde-brick house trimmed in royal blue, with florid carpet and a purple bathroom. The couple enlisted Wollongong-based architect Geoff Borst for the renovation.
The extensive project took 18 months to complete and won the prestigious Trends International Design Award 2019 for Architect Renovation of the Year.
Mr Shaw recently told the Mercury the goal was simply to create a house for the two of us, which included going from a three-bedroom home to a two-bedder to create extra space. It's very bespoke, very mid-century, he said.
Unique features and ocean views
The home sits on an elevated 845.6 square metre block, offering easterly harbour views and uninterrupted ocean vistas. A chrome starburst around the front door handle was salvaged from a demolished mid-century house in Palm Springs, USA. Retro features include the original kitsch fish bathroom shower screen, a zig-zag white handrail at the front, and blue-and-white mosaic tiles on the terrace.
The property was offered fully furnished. Mr Shaw said some of the pieces date back to 1955 and have been fully restored and reupholstered.
