17th June 2021: Ferny Creek House Inspired by Asian Tea Fields, Cinque Terre, with Japanese Onsen Bathhouse for Sale

No. 29 Breen Terrace, Ferny Creek is for sale.

Written by Alanah Frost for realestate.com.au

Hidden in the hills of the Yarra Ranges, this incomparable entertainer's home has been designed with heart for the whole family to enjoy.

Inspired by the tea fields of China and Japan, as well as Italy's seaside Cinque Terre region, the decadent Ferny Creek property is the vision of Brenden and Terry Abraham, who bought the block of land more than 40 years ago.

The pair – who own successful local tea business Tea Leaves – built an original home at the 29 Breen Terrace address where they raised their two children, before extending "above, below and around".

But after many years enjoying the property, inspired by travels to tranquil places for work and leisure and architecture they saw, they have just listed it with $2.7m-$2.85m price hopes.

The home has been designed with family in mind.

Cook up a storm in the kitchen.

Many a Christmas dinner's to be had here.

A lounge room big enough to fit the whole family.

The spacious main bedroom and ensuite.

"We decided to expand and develop the property into something more substantial," Mr Abraham, who is an architect by trade, said.

"That happened between 2008 and 2013. It was about a five-year building process.

"We lived on the property in the original house and the new development was above, below and around. It was like living in a cocoon."

The original house, now a living area dubbed "The Nook", was then renovated to complete the property.

The sprawling retreat, named Omaroo, now stretches across four levels. It includes five bedrooms, three of which have their own ensuite, plus a gym, a dry sauna and extensive gardens on a 3480sq m landholding.

Mr Abraham also sourced 110-year-old Chinese gates from an antique dealer in Abbotsford for the project, and created a tranquil Japanese Onsen-style pool room.

Italian porcelain tiles and Australian-made materials also feature throughout, paying homage to the vendors' roots.

A large office perfect for working from home.

Now that's a tub.

Even the bathrooms have views.

Cosy up by the fire.

A tiled entertainment zone.

The property has five bedrooms…

… and four bathrooms.

But Mr Abraham said living among the treetops was the property's biggest attraction.

"I love living there because of the environment, mostly," he said.

"The house has hydronic heating and double glazing, it's very cosy and comfortable even though it's 70 squares (about 650sq m).

"We have a home gym, which we use every day. The pool we use mostly with the grandkids.

"It's really family oriented."

Mr Abraham said the hilly terrain, which borders a national park, had become a bit more challenging as he hit his "mid 70s", and influenced their decision to sell.

He said he just hoped "somebody will love it as much as us".

"It's a bit of a wrench to leave a property that you've put so much heart into," Mr Abraham said.

Enjoy the tranquillity of the Japanese Onsen pool room…

…or the dry sauna.

Sit in peace among the trees.

Work up a sweat overlooking the Yarra Ranges.

"It's a great place to raise a family, all the country values and laid-back lifestyle. That really appealed to us.

"And the views – the city and the bay, the YouYangs and beyond. The sky is changing everyday, the light, the clouds, the seasons, the sunsets. That's what I will miss the most."

Fletchers Yarra Ranges director Glenn Gardiner said the property was "the sort of home you could be extremely proud of".

"(It's perfect for) those looking at a tree change, rather than a sea change," he said.

"It's designed around entertaining – you don't need to have two or three kids to fill the house, you could have friends and family come up as a bit of a getaway.

"The views are great and there are a number of terraces to make what is a fairly hilly block usable and accessible.

"I don't think there's a better thought out house in the mountains."

The property is being sold privately.

Visit the REA website with the article here: Ferny Creek house inspired by Asian tea fields, Cinque Terre, with Japanese Onsen bathhouse for sale