Dream House | A picture of tastefully applied architectural styling

She greets you with open arms, her face a picture of tastefully applied architectural styling that befits her stature, in this upper St Andrew neighbourhood.

She loves to entertain. In fact, she loves people, and her hospitable space comes alive with a granite-infused gourmet kitchen; an elevated capacious verandah, which steps down to a well-laid-out back garden, where even a fleeting moment … is captured for a lifetime. Her make-up continues with five airy bedrooms, four bathrooms; TV room leading to a huge upstairs relaxation viewing balcony; a study; a powder room not to be used, but to be admired and a walk-out basement. Also complementing the ensemble, are staff quarters, laundry, and carport. But it’s the front door entrance that captivates the eye, having onlookers fawning, while admiring and hoping for an invitation!

As we embrace more carefully her intimate details, we are left smitten with the master bedroom dressed in marble (with separate spa and glass shower); voluminous tray ceilings; porcelain tiles; a floating staircase beyond compare; classic and bespoke furniture pieces, walls of artwork and a proliferation of other embellishments.

This lady, conceived and built in 1960, has undergone a major architectural operation, which lasted for one year. Before this, she regrettably had no admirers… just an ignored entity, waiting for the right person to come along, rejuvenate and provide her with the requisite appealing image she so desperately needed.

Then comes along a family, who saw what others could not see, befriended her and drastically altered every inch of her features. Look and see for yourself! What a cosmetic transformation! Self-esteem has been restored, the smile is back for all to see and good design has saved the day.

As we bid farewell, we suddenly inexplicably realise we don’t want to go – just yet! She has created an atmosphere to intrigue, to invite and to surprise. It has worked.

Architects: Arthur Lowe and Associates

Interior designer and consultant to the project: Barry Rattray

- Barry Rattray is a dream designer and builder. Email: barry-rattray@hotmail.com.