Anna Owen and her husband Dave moved into this home 14 years ago – only the third custodians of the house since it was first built in 1955 – and over time have been slowly restoring and extending as sympathetically as possible for modern family living. Named the Browne House after its second owners (formerly the McDonald House), it is one of the last remaining archetypal homes by revered architect Robin Boyd.
When Anna and Dave first took ownership of the Browne house, it was rundown and in pretty poor shape. Over the last decade and a half they have slowly but surely brought it back to its original splendour, and then some!
Anna and Dave’s renovations were sensitive yet extensive – including re-roofing, stumping, plumbing, re-wiring and repairing all the windows. The home features a main bedroom encased on two sides by windows, living areas that have been opened up for better flow and a modern kitchen, and a recent extension comprises a seperate kids area with three bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry.
As is the case with all Robin Boyd homes, the Browne house was ahead of its time. The crown jewel of this home is its glorious north-facing ‘window-wall’, which is thought to be the earliest example of this classic Boyd feature! ‘The pitched ceiling that follows the line of the window-wall fills the internal rooms with an incredible feeling of space and light and a strong connection to the garden’, says Fiona Austin of Austin Design, who is the founder of the Beaumaris Modern group that exists to preserve and protect mid-century architecture in the area. The majestic window-wall looks out to a large recycled Jarrah deck, and the connection to the outdoors is taken to the next level with an undercover outdoor kitchen. Heaven!
Anna and Dave have done so much to ensure the preservation of this historical home, but have decided it’s time to move on. They hope find another mid century house in the area to renovate, and now, the Browne House is on the market. The only requirement of its new owners? Must love modernist architecture!
86 Dalgetty Road, Beaumaris, is going to auction on Saturday, November 27th. Check out the full listing + inspection times here!
