5/66 Thacker Street, OCEAN GROVE.

In the hilly coastal areas near St Tropez in the South of France there are small and exclusive estates with delightful villas set among native shrubs and trees. This home, while Australian in character, has some alluring similarities.

The Barwon Views Estate is located in an elevated position above the Ocean Grove township with views towards the bluff and Barwon Coast beaches. It is situated in 'old' Ocean Grove but away from the more built-up areas.

The homes in this quiet and exclusive cul-de-sac estate are built in similar styles to each other with a prominent use of natural timbers including native cypress. This facilitates the ease in which the homes blend into their natural environment, creating a Provincial holiday feel. However, with their large windows, clean lines and use of exterior colours such as 'Woodland Grey', 'Paperbark' and 'Shale', this home epitomises the modern Australian beach-scape style.

This home comprises of three bedrooms, all of which are carpeted and contain built in robes. Near them is a beautifully appointed bathroom with bathtub and separate shower recess. Adjacent to the bathroom is a separate WC.

A tiled hallway from the entrance area leads to a large, open-plan living area consisting of the kitchen, dining room and lounge. In addition to clerestory-style windows set below high ceilings, this spacious, light-filled room contains several other timber-framed windows which take great advantage of the room's north-facing aspect. The area is heated and cooled through a split-system air-conditioner.

The kitchen is open to the dining area and both look out upon a landscaped courtyard and protected outdoor entertaining area. The kitchen is uncluttered, modern and practical and contains a stainless steel gas stovetop, oven, rangehood, dishwasher and twin sink. A central bench doubles as a breakfast bar.

There are storage cupboards and a European laundry off the main hallway and also direct access to the extra large, lock-up single garage. Other features of the home include a rainwater tank/recycle-system and a easy-care, landscaped native garden.

In terms of low maintenance the home ranks extremely highly. This makes it a tremendous option for those looking for a beautifully appointed, uncomplicated coastal holiday house in a gorgeous setting. Those in the south of France might call it the joie de vivre.