The House Hunter: An old money estate on the upper north shore

Carinya is, of the many homes I've visited, the most stunning. It epitomises upper north shore federation gloriousness – it's enormous, retains its heritage-protected features, and represents the best of the area's envy- worthy estates. You wouldn't see it if you were strolling past. Its 102 metre frontage is lined by a high brick wall, which gives the impression that you're passing a well-heeled school or several different houses (which isn't too far from the truth, since Carinya encompasses two houses over three titles).

The most notable feature of this house is the land size. It is over an acre, and while the north shore is known to have land, it doesn’t normally have this much. And there is something special about the potential to agist a horse just 16 kilometres from the CBD – not that you would let a horse trample Carinya’s original English gardens!

The home and its grounds conjure a little of the panic you feel when you navigate a very important place with many breakables, but maintains the warmth of a well-loved home. Even if it is one with its own orchard (which produces, amongst other things, lemonade fruit), enclosed vegetable patch, billiards room, ball room, cabana, sauna, tennis court, cellar and office of professional proportions.

Read more of Monica Kovacic's local architectrual musings at The House Hunter