A whimsical 'Witch’s house’ complete with its own dungeon, spy holes and mini fairy doors might just be Perth’s quirkiest home listing.
It's also drawn in huge interest, becoming the most viewed residential listing on realestate.com.au this week.
The iconic 'Witch's House' is a real life fairytale retreat. Picture: realestate.com.au
Inspired by The Witch's House in Beverly Hills, 77 Shady Hills View, Bullsbrook, is an enchanting owner-built six bedroom, four bathroom home which has been a 12 year labour of love for its vendors Meg Howe and Graeme Young.
Ms Howe said the story of their off-grid retreat began when they were living in a straw bale shed on the 2.04ha property.
Knowing that a shed could not be their home forever, Ms Howe did some research and was struck by the beauty of California’s Witches House - also known as Spadena House - which has appeared in moves such as Clueless and Hansel & Gretel.
The five-acre wonderland offers sustainable off-grid living. Picture: realestate.com.au
Australia's Witch's House was inspired by this one in Beverly Hills, California. Picture: Getty
So she asked Mr Young to build a similar home.
“I had no idea how much it would cost and how complicated it was and all the problems and things like that,” she said.
“Would we do it again? Probably not, but we were just crazy enough and young enough to go, ‘Why not? Let's just do it’.”
The hand built artistic home has 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Picture: realestate.com.au
While they had never actually visited the real life Spadena House, they made contact with its real estate agent owner.
“He knows about us. We call ourselves’ ‘The Witch’s House Down Under’,” Ms Howe said.
The magical home’s fairytale charm is accentuated with an array of handcrafted finishes and features, intrinsic woodwork, antiques with stained glass and other relics imported from as far as Egypt and America.
In the kitchen, an aligned planetary stained-glass window watches the heavens. Picture: realestate.com.au
An 1800s American school bell set amid a bat nest (when you ring it, bats fly out), and an ammonite fossil embedded in the wall from Madagascar, are examples.
Stained glass in the kitchen featuring planets was inspired by Gaudi House of Bones in Barcelona, and Mr Young and Ms Howe found a local artist to create their own interpretation featuring planets.
“Everything's got a bit of a story, I suppose,” Ms Howe said.
The home is full of quirky features including a mini door for "kids and elves" hidden within the main bathroom door and a belfry. Picture: realestate.com.au
The couple have decided to list their beloved home for sale as part of their retirement plans, and said they will most miss the property’s lushness and serenity.
In keeping with the couple’s love of permaculture, the property’s grounds include an array of produce such as organic mulberries, fig trees, pomegranates, quinces and avocado trees.
There is also a 16m by 10m workshop, as well as a second workshop which could be used for storage or a studio space.
The home also has several workshops. Picture: realestate.com.au
Sales agent Kim Johnson from HKY Bullsbrook said the opportunity to sell the home has been phenomenal, and while it was “definitely not for everyone” it had plenty of scope.
“If you took away all the mystical things about it, it's very much because of the permaculture and the lay of the land, it would suit like a yoga clinic, a wellness centre, even gardening,” she said.
The home is being sold via a Set Date Sale campaign, with all offers presented by November 18.
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