388 Bowen Terrace New Farm

34 Brown Street Newcastle NSW 2300

20 Cichon Road Bridgewater SA 5155

Opulent Edwardian Styles across Australia

Previous post: Federation Bath (tubs) …. Next post: ]

This is a comparison of three Edwardian homes across three states:

• Fenton in New Farm (of Brisbane) in Queensland, by Robin Dods,
• Bishopscourt on The Hill at Newcastle (NSW) and
• Bridgewater in the Adelaide hills of South Australia

‘Fenton’ 388 Bowen Terrace New Farm

A Grand Residence with Style and Convenience; Beautifully restored and sitting on one of New Farm’s largest land holdings, this immaculate Robin Dods-designed estate is a stunning expression of quality craftsmanship and timeless design. Sold for $1,800,000 Fri 23-Nov-12

Fenton, 388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, Qld 4005

“Beautifully restored and sitting on one of New Farm’s largest land holdings, this immaculate Robin Dods-designed estate is a stunning expression of quality craftsmanship and timeless design – a remarkable offering with dual street access and 23 metre frontage.

• “From the expertly landscaped gardens to the inviting front portico, this traditional residence exudes classic style and sophistication.”

Desirable features:

• Rich interior details combine timber VJ (vertical joined) walls,
• a restored fireplace,
• high ceilings and
• polished timber floors for a warm and welcoming atmosphere that radiates class and elegance.
• An extensive verandah runs down the side of the home, opening several rooms up to this swathing outdoor area. Overlooking the pool and enclosed by louvers, it is ideal for year round use.

Other features:

• Entertain poolside, or simply relax with a cooling dip to escape the summer heat.
• A centrally located gourmet kitchen is sure to become a gathering point whether you’re entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet family lifestyle.
• Stone benches, extensive work and storage space and a range of quality stainless steel appliances ensure a functional yet stylish space while
• a gallery of windows bathe the kitchen in soft natural light, providing views of the lush, green surrounds.
• There are three good-sized bedrooms serviced by two bathrooms. This includes a large master suite completed by timber floors, fireplace and study alcove.

---

‘Bishopscourt’ 34 Brown Street Newcastle NSW 2300

“A Magnificent Family Estate Capturing Harbour and Coastal Views Unlike Any Other Property in Newcastle; Influenced by the style and proportions of a grand 19th century English estate, this landmark property on The Hill known as ‘Bishopscourt’ is quite unlike anything else on offer. Expressions of Interest ends 11th May at 12pm.

• A landmark property on The Hill known as ‘Bishopscourt’ is quite unlike anything else on offer.
• Taking pride of place in one of Newcastle’s finest dress circle positions.”

Desirable features:
All the classic features of the period including

• rich timber floors and wood paneling,
• a grand staircase,
• soaring ceilings and
• large arched windows with elegant leadlight detailing.
• The generously proportioned floor plan offers family versatility with a lavish choice of expansive living areas, exceptional seven bedroom accommodation and four bathrooms

Bishopscourt, 34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE, on the Hill

Other features:

• Landscaped gardens on over one acre offer exceptional potential to extend or add a pool (STCA)
• Formal lounge room with elegant timber wall paneling a feature of its era
• Formal dining room with outdoor flow to gardens
• Concertina doors enable one huge living space, perfect for large scale entertaining
• Study with curved ceiling, impressive leadlight bay window and fireplace
• Oversized family room; large utility room; three storerooms
• Large timber kitchen equipped with gas cooking, dishwasher and servery
• Chapel featuring leadlight windows, timber ceilings and detailed arched brickwork
• Doors from main bedroom and large guest room open onto a large north facing sunroom capturing magnificent views over Newcastle’s iconic harbour and beaches

---

20 Cichon Road Bridgewater SA 5155

A majestic “Queen Anne” style property brimming with the “tasteful elegance of prideful wealth”. Sold for $1,600,000 Thu 31-Jul-14.

• “Delicately framed by lead lacing and Wisteria, surrounded by well-groomed grassland, a professionally constructed equestrian arena, full sized tennis court, 2000m of manicured lawn,
• “a prodigious natural Amphitheatre suitable for the finest operatic aria, land abounds to ride your horse or simply escape. “

Has decoration typical of the Edwardian era. A Queen Anne house would have a name, since street numbers did not exist prior to the Edwardian era.

Desirable features:

• Wrought iron and Baroque chandeliers
• 12 foot ceilings throughout
• double brick, bluestone faced,
• two story cathedral like spaces and
• spectacular leadlight windows, intricately woven with thistle and ferocious heraldic lions.

20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155

Other features:

• Five metre high suspension platform that draws you into the native forest canopy and provides expansive views of the Hahndorf valley.
• Entertain in exorbitant style from your external alfresco dining area, equipped with a full kitchen, including stainless steel BBQ, dishwasher, divine stone top benching and quality surround café blinds.

---

Edwardian features:

So here are the desirable features of these three Edwardian home, side by side: (widescreen viewing recommended)

---

388 Bowen Terrace New Farm	34 Brown Street Newcastle NSW 2300	20 Cichon Road Bridgewater SA 5155
Entrances:
Impressive entrances:	Impressive staircase	Impressive front door lead-light ornamental setting:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
(Above) The use of timber for impressive ornament	The staircase, if it exists, is made to impress in glorious timber	Timber doorway, timber floor and ceiling, timber doorways
Timber features:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
Queenslander entertainment on the verandah	Ecclesiastic entertainment in the drawing room with bay window	Formal entertainment in the drawing room with leadlight French doors
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
(Above) Dining room is lined with timber panelled shelving	Timber panelling and ornate ceiling with leadlight doors and bay window	Large entertainment area has Romanesque doorways
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, Qld 4005	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
Timber fireplace is a characteristic Edwardian feature	Before WW2, Entertainment was made at home	The ornate timber fireplace belies the ‘Queen Anne’ description
Fireplaces:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
The general rule is: Marble fireplaces are Victorian	Timber fireplaces are an Edwardian feature	The simpler the fireplace, the later the period.
Leadlight windows:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
Ornamental timber work and lead-light are very desirable
Edwardian cosiness:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155
Edwardian cosy area in a window nook	A rather grand window nook	A modern entertainment area
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155
Verandahs:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE – the sea breeze on ‘The Hill’ would be a gale!	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater – no sea breeze
Timber kitchens:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
None of the kitchens remain very Edwardian, all have island benches	The influence of the white kitchen becomes apparent…	Only in S.A. would the renovator paint the natural timber finish! or cover up the leadlight!!
Bedroom design:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
A Queensland bedroom has timber walls for evening cooling (and a fan)	An Edwardian bedroom complete with bay window drapes (and a fan)	Edwardian leadlgiht and timber surrounds, but Victorian drapes (and air-con)
Updated bathrooms:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, showing a mix of styles	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE, without period style	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater
Bathing is an outdoor activity in tropical Queenslander style	Bathing is quite private in ‘Bishopscourt’	Modernised spa-bathing in Edwardian leadlight splendour
Garden design:
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155
Outdoor entertaining has rather different expressions	Newcastle outdoors is merely pictorial for Bishopcourt entertainment	The formal outdoors in Bridgewater, S.A.
388 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, Qld 4005	34 Brown Street NEWCASTLE	20 Cichon Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155
A Jacaranda tree is a highly coveted ornament to any garden	Newcastle heritage uses consistent historical plaques	A tree-lined drive is a highly regarded feature