25 Sydney St, Albion VIC 3020

Once upon a time, in a hidden corner of the inner west where shadows dance and palm fronds whisper secrets, there stood a house that dared to be deliciously different. Built in 1923, this iconic residence has been possessed by the vision of Joncol-transformed through an obsessive labour of love, a project crafted for himself where builder became creator, craftsman became artist. The result would make Alexander McQueen weep with envy. Here, in Albion's hushed embrace, Art Nouveau melancholy meets meticulous craftsmanship.

From the street, a deceptively charming weatherboard facade conceals the wonderfully twisted tale within. Step through the threshold and tumble into a world where darkness and light perform an eternal waltz, where every corner harbours curiosities. The heritage bones remain honoured with reverence. Soaring ceilings cast dramatic shadows, whilst original wallpaper preserved in the library and master bedroom whispers of bygone eras. Baltic pine floorboards, stained in a lustrous Japan Black finish, stretch like pooling ink through hallways. Feature fireplaces stand sentinel, their brick hearts still beating. Heritage windows refurbished with gleaming brass hardware catch light like old coins, whilst the extension introduces double-glazed windows-a marriage of past and present.

This ground-up resurrection was executed with surgical precision: substantial 32mm skirtings and decorative cornices, insulated walls, Philips Hue smart lighting shifting moods like theatre gels, CCTV eyes watching, ducted heating, evaporative cooling, and solar panels completing the picture. Offering up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the floorplan unfolds like chapters in a peculiar novel. Multiple living zones include formal lounges, a library/study, and expansive open-plan living. The master ensuite embraces theatrical darkness with black cabinetry and sculptural swan-neck tapware, whilst upstairs, a sanctuary floats beneath twin skylights.