IT is arguably one of the most recognisable homes in Carrington and now, it's on the market.
The three-level New Orleans-inspired home at 40C Gipps Street is an opulent, architectural wonder created by its owners who looked to The Big Easy for inspiration when renovating the four-bedroom, three-bathroom property.
With a history of renovating early 19th-century homes in the Hunter Valley, the couple set out to find the perfect backdrop for their vision to build a New Orleans-inspired home.
After a three-year search, they purchased the property in Carrington in 2010.
"Carrington had all the elements to reflect the perfect backdrop of a New Orleans setting, from the surrounding river and harbour mouth, the beautiful ornate verandas of the historic homes, to the palm tree-lined streets," the owners said.
The renovation took six years to complete, the owners drawing inspiration during several trips to New Orleans.
The couple befriended New Orleans residents whose homes had inspired the build and they kept them updated on the progress of the renovation.
From the imported floor-to-ceiling French doors and custom cast iron fencing from the Saint Louis Cathedral of New Orleans to 16 millimetre American Oak flooring and antique light fittings (also imported from the United States), the project has been a labour of love.
The owners, both psychologists, said they understood the significance of environment on mental and emotional wellbeing so they planned the interior design with particular attention to light, creating airy sun-drenched rooms, and indoor-outdoor spaces.
They are now ready to move on to their next project and have listed the home through Cveta Kolarovski at Cveta Property via expressions of interest.
"It's not a home that you see every day," Ms Kolarovski said.
"It is attracting many types of buyers with interest coming in from all over.
"The house is beautifully positioned on the corner and it is very hard to miss.
"Everyone in Carrington knows this house."
This property consists of two buildings with a garden that connects the main home and a separate studio/coach house that could double as a home office.
Palm Springs stunner
From New Orleans to Palm Springs, another US-inspired property in Carrington went under the hammer last week.
A renovated miner's cottage at 61 Rodgers Street, owned by an interior designer and a builder, sold at auction through agent Matt Barnes at Found.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home's Palm Spring-inspired aesthetic and clever design drew strong interest, selling for $890,000.
