Alister Brae, Pymble

'Alister Brae' - c1904 Single Storey Landmark Residence

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Magnificent in its proportions and style, this architectural landmark, an early Queen Anne Federation, is a single storey masterpiece set on approx 2,032 sq m. at 24 King Edward Street Pymble NSW 2073

• The first owners of ‘Alistair Brae’, Samuel and Annie Head, bought the land in 1904 and built a house typical of the Queen Anne Federation style, naming it to commemorate Annie’s maiden name, McAlistair. Nothing is known of the architect because all plans were lost in Ku-ring-gai Council fire.
• 'Alister Brae' has sandstone foundations, garden walls and paving.
• ‘Alistair Brae’ shows a strong Scottish influence in the interior joinery and decorative glass, and in the well-crafted timber on the wide return verandah. a picturesque turret above the corner bay brings an added dimension to the landmark slate roof of this gracious Queen Anne style house.
• The property was open for inspection by members of the National Trust as part of the Pymble day on Tuesday the 9th March 2010 with several hundred members attending.
• Listed Heritage item within the Ku-ring-gai Heritage Conservation Area - Urban Conservation Area
  - http://www.historicproperties.com.au/alistairbrae.html
• Sold in 2011 for $3,300,000.

24 King Edward Street Pymble NSW 2073

• Fitted snugly into the hillside below Church Street, Alister Brae, c1904, shows a strong Scottish influence in the interior joinery and decorative glass, and in the well-crafted timber of the wide return verandah.
  

• A picturesque turret above the corner bay brings an added dimension to the landmark slate roof.
• This remarkable C1904 residence has a wealth of fine features retaining its historical integrity. With advice from heritage expert Alia Porter the owners have restored the interior decoration to its original style.

• Grand entrance hall showcasing a spectacular stained glass domed ceiling and eight doorways all featuring intricate carved frames

• Formal lounge and dramatic, timber paneled formal dining room both feature ornate original fireplaces and open via French doors onto the return verandah
  
  
• 5 bedrooms, 2 with fireplaces and 3 bathrooms
  
• Master Bedroom reflects the shape of the turret above, there is a large luxurious en-suite/dressing room and French doors that open to a return verandah
  
• Spacious, light filled kitchen adjoining a casual dining area
  
• Generous family room, a North facing sandstone flagged terrace, private gardens
  
• Huge family room, which was once the ballroom, featuring a charming original Wunderlich pressed metal ceiling and ornate gas fireplace
  
• Beautiful, established gardens of approx 2032 square metres surrounding the home
• 
• In ground swimming pool and a full sandstone built double garage
  
• Remarkable federation features throughout, including an expansive tallow wood decked return verandah with ornate timber work, ornately decorated 13ft ceilings, Californian redwood timber detailing, 5 period fireplaces, stained glass windows & original NZ kauri timber floors
  

Alister Brae, Pymble

'Alister Brae' - c1904 Single Storey Landmark Residence

[Previous page: Venice, Randwick Heritage Next page: ]

Magnificent in its proportions and style, this architectural landmark, an early Queen Anne Federation, is a stunning single storey masterpiece set on approx 2,032 sq m. at 24 King Edward Street Pymble NSW 2073
'Alister Brae' at Pymble has sandstone foundations, garden walls and paving. Sold in 2012 for $3,300,000.

• The first owners of ‘Alistair Brae’, Samuel and Annie Head, bought the land in 1904 and built a house typical of the Queen Anne Federation style, naming it to commemorate Annie’s maiden name, McAlistair. Nothing is known of the architect because all plans were lost in Ku-ring-gai Council fire.
• ‘Alistair Brae’ shows a strong Scottish influence in the interior joinery and decorative glass, and in the well-crafted timber on the wide return verandah. a picturesque turret above the corner bay brings an added dimension to the landmark slate roof of this gracious Queen Anne style house.
• The property was open for inspection by members of the National Trust as part of the Pymble day on Tuesday the 9th March 2010 with several hundred members attending.
• Listed Heritage item within the Ku-ring-gai Heritage Conservation Area - Urban Conservation Area
  - http://www.historicproperties.com.au/alistairbrae.html

24 King Edward Street Pymble NSW 2073

Fitted snugly into the hillside below Church Street, Alister Brae, c1904, shows a strong Scottish influence in the interior joinery and decorative glass, and in the well-crafted timber of the wide return verandah. A picturesque turret above the corner bay brings an added dimension to the landmark slate roof.
This remarkable C1904 residence has a wealth of fine features retaining its historical integrity. With advice from heritage expert Alia Porter the owners have restored the interior decoration to its original style.

• Grand entrance hall showcasing a spectacular stained glass domed ceiling and eight doorways all featuring intricate carved frames

• Formal lounge and dramatic, timber paneled formal dining room both feature ornate original fireplaces and open via French doors onto the return verandah
  
• 5 bedrooms, 2 with fireplaces and 3 bathrooms
  
• Master Bedroom reflects the shape of the turret above, there is a large luxurious en-suite/dressing room and French doors that open to a return verandah
  
• Spacious, light filled kitchen adjoining a casual dining area
  
• Generous family room, a North facing sandstone flagged terrace, private gardens
  
• Huge family room, which was once the ballroom, featuring a charming original Wunderlich pressed metal ceiling and ornate gas fireplace
  
• Beautiful, established gardens of approx 2032 square metres surrounding the home
  
• In ground swimming pool and a full sandstone built double garage
  
• Remarkable federation features throughout, including an expansive tallow wood decked return verandah with ornate timber work, ornately decorated 13ft ceilings, Californian redwood timber detailing, 5 period fireplaces, stained glass windows & original NZ kauri timber floors
  

Federation Fretwork

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Wooden fretwork designs suitable for Edwardian, Federation, Victorian and Californian bungalow houses

Some illustrations below are of a home at 87 Avoca Street Randwick which sold recently (Feb 2012) for $2050000

Examples of fretwork used in exteriors

Carved woodwork adorned balconies, veranda, and porches with heavy wooden fretwork adorning verandas.

Decorative verandah trim

Verandah fretwork and fretwork Gable decoration at 43 Rangers Road Cremorne

Verandah and gable fretwork decorating the Exterior, 87 Avoca Street RANDWICK

Semi detached Federation homes in Randwick showing decorative fretting

Magnificent entrance to 87 Avoca Street RANDWICK framed by verandah fretwork

Verandah Corner Brackets and Inserts Timber Corner Brackets and Inserts add that finishing touch to a verandah. Decorative verandah fretwork at 108 Elphin Road, LAUNCESTON, 7250 Door and Window Awnings Corner brackets help provide the solution for protection against heat and weather. Window awnings or hoods Barge-Boards and Finials Barge-boards and finials highlight period style. Prominent finials adorn the roof and decorative fretwork arches support the verandah Barge Boards used in Glebe Victorian Terraces Gable Fretworks These gable fretworks highlight and add contrast to the pitch of the roof. Edzell House 76 St Georges Road Toorak VIC Edwardian style house in Heidelberg Victoria Fascia Trim Fascia trim designs to the barge-board or fascia board add extra character. Arundel has decorative fretwork frieze along the verandah Friezes and Fretwork Friezes and fretwork add charm and warmth. Balustrading 108 Elphin Road, LAUNCESTON, 7250

Examples of fretwork used in interiors

An arched bay window:

Grand foliage pedestal arch frames an Alisterbrae bay window

Ornate picture rail and chimney frieze at 41 Victoria Street, Roseville

Room division arch(L) and screen (R) in 34 Johnson Street, Chatswood, NSW 2067

These diagrams courtesy of http://www.woodworkers.com.au

Basic Arch styles

arch details

Pedestal Arch styles

Much more details of these arches are available at http://www.woodworkers.com.au/website/pdfs/FAQs/WW_arches_brackets.pdf

Fretwork Fanlights

Fanlight designs enhance your door opening.

Examples of fretwork fanlights for heritage home interiors

Impressive Fanlight fretwork around the staircase and spandrels beneath the bench seating at 87 Avoca Street RANDWICK

Fretwork Spandrels

1. The roughly triangular space between the left or right exterior curve of an arch and the rectangular framework surrounding it.
2. The space between two arches and a horizontal molding or cornice above them.

Impressive fretwork spandrels frame the front entrance at 87 Avoca Street RANDWICK

Eloise Spandrels are complemented by Triangle E Post Face Brackets, Turned Posts, and Balusters:

Eloise Spandrels in use

Picture rails

These are placed 1ft to 1ft 8in below the ceiling cornice to form a frieze.

Edwardian picture rails at 29 Grandview Street, Pymble, NSW

Decorative picture rails at 29 Grandview Street, Pymble, NSW

Picture rails in this room are painted subtely, but still present

Alisterbrae picture rails

Wall panelling and picture rails at Edzell House 76 St Georges Road Toorak Melbourne