WHEN Claire McWilliam-Mair first viewed Paramatta Villa in Holburn Street she was looking at it through rose-tinted glasses.
“As soon as I walked in I fell in love with it, especially the vestibule and the beautiful staircase,” she said.
“It was packed with original features and I thought ‘This is going to be great.’
“When I ventured upstairs it was just a shell. Lots of the plaster had fallen down and there was some water damage. But I had tunnel vision and just didn’t see the amount of work that lay ahead,” said Claire, 35.
It was Ian, a data processor with SubSea 7, who found the house online and e-mailed Claire from offshore. On her second visit he went to see the property with her.
“We were a bit naive about how much work there was to be done. We just thought it would be great,” she said.
At the time the couple were looking to make the move from their flat into a house.
“We wanted a granite house and were looking for one that needed some work, but maybe not quite as much as this,” said Claire.
Ian, 40, and Claire began the renovation downstairs and put in new windows, plumbing, heating, wiring and a new kitchen.
Claire’s brother Darrel, who has a joinery firm, gave a helping hand.
“We wanted to try to work with as many of the original features as possible, but also bring the property up to date with modern fittings and fixtures,” said Claire.
“We put in a lot of hard work stripping back floors, skirtings and doors by hand.”
It took five years to complete the project but the end result is a stunning traditional granite property that stylishly combines old with new.
Claire, a senior business travel consultant with Munro’s Travel said: “Blood sweat and tears, heart and a piece of soul went into this house.
“At the time we thought ‘when is this going to end?’ But it’s amazing how it comes together and you forget all the pain and hard work.
“We learned how to do so many different things we had never done before.
“And it’s something to be really proud of.”
Paramatta Villa is a charming property on three floors.
Stepping into the bright vestibule it’s easy to see why Claire was instantly won over. It has stained glass panels, an ornate plaster frieze and ceiling and terrazzo-tiled floor.
A partially-glazed door with original acid-etched glass panel opens into the spacious hall with its impressive staircase.
The elegant lounge showcases some fabulous period features including restored wooden floorboards and moulded cornicing.
The focal point of the room is the handsome Victorian cast iron fireplace with decorative tiled inset and granite hearth.
The dining kitchen and family room wasn’t always open-plan.
“Initially we had a separate dining room but when I became pregnant with Scarlett I wanted to create a family room – so we knocked through to the kitchen.”
The kitchen is very stylish, with farmhouse-style units and lovely wine coloured tiles which provide a rich contrast to the natural colour of the units.
“We created a great family area and I love it,” said Claire.
On the first floor is the bright and spacious master bedroom that can easily accommodate free-standing furniture.
There is a fitted wardrobe and Aberdeen cupboards.
“It can be quite difficult to accommodate an en-suite in older houses.
“We decided to turn the bedroom next door into a large en-suite with double-size shower,” said Claire
Bedroom two is light and airy and very spacious.
Bedroom three is the nursery which Claire lovingly painted in sugary pink and white for seven-month-old Scarlett.
The family bathroom is beautifully fitted out with a traditional-style cistern, wash hand basin and a free-standing bath with claw feet.
The attic conversion provided the couple with two more light and airy bedrooms and a smart shower room.
To provide access to this floor they had a replica of the staircase below made, and it fits in beautifully. The couple’s eye for design is also highlighted outside in the large back garden.
Split over three levels there is an expansive patio area which is perfect for alfresco dining, while the next level is a decked area and down from there a large lawn.
Claire and Scarlett are going to miss this fabulous home but it’s time for them to move on.
Claire is looking for another project she can put her own stamp on, but one that’s a little less ambitious.
“This time I want to be able to do it in five weeks and not five years,” Claire said.