Jonathon Grima in the secret wine and cigar room he created in his Albion home, which is now for sale. Street artist Heesco painted the forest-themed mural. Photo: Jake Nowakowski.
A secret forest-themed speak-easy is hidden behind a bookcase in this quirky home in Melbourne’s west.
Owner Jonathon Grima is selling the circa-1920s Albion home he renovated to create a magical wonderland-style pad at a range of $1.4 million to $1.5 million.
The five-bedroom residence at 25 Sydney St features a hidden bar that emerges from the kitchen island bench at the touch of a button, an outdoor cinema, a barrel sauna and a heated swimming pool.
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Behind the exterior facade is also a stuffed peacock imported from Puerto Rico, a collection of Barbie dolls in bird cages, golden swan cranes and green-colored kitchen cabinets with motorized doors.
Mr Grima, the owner and director of Yarraville-based Joncol Building Services, bought the house after first seeing it on auction day in 2016.
On weekends he worked as a ‘labor of love’ to transform the home, turning the former laundry into a secret wine and cigar room, complete with a colorful mural by street artist Heesco.
An old sink still stands next to a fold-out table that Mr. Grima installed.
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There is an outdoor cinema, barrel sauna and heated pool in the backyard. Mr. Grima created a lighted Baywatch sign that sits on the pool house.
Retire a particular book to this shelf… Photo: Jake Nowakowski.
… And also check out the incredibly cool wine and cigar room complete with mural by street artist Heesco. Photo: Jake Nowakowski.
The house’s heritage status meant he couldn’t make major changes to the exterior, but could ‘go to town’ internally.
The inspiration behind the colorful interior were ideas from his two children and the British design duo Jimmie Martin, whose fans include singer Madonna.
The home’s library and study feature original wallpaper and a mannequin that Mr. Grima painted with his children.
There’s a 110cm Falcon Classic Deluxe range cooker and quartzite natural stone worktops in the kitchen, plus an island bench that opens to a fully fitted bar at the touch of a button.
Colorful wallpaper in a bedroom.
He is only selling the property so he can renovate another house.
“I love the house, but I just want to keep creating things,” Mr. Grima said.
“That’s why I’m doing it again – that’s what I’ll keep doing, crazy fun stuff.”
His work has been featured in The Block: Sky High, Selling Houses Australia and Dream Homes Revealed, including his former Point Cook home with a giant chessboard and a mural of the Wizard of Oz.
The stuffed peacock in one of the living areas. Mr Grima bought the mid-century chairs from Kylie Minogue’s cousin – and likes that the famous singer may have even sat on them.
Golden Swan Taps in one of the bathrooms.
Ray White Sunshine director Marcus Fregonese said the Albion house was “like a museum with a story in every room”.
“In addition to all the cool rooms and the pool, the attention to detail that the owner-builder has applied is phenomenal and world-class,” said Mr. Fregonese.
“It is a family home of over 800 square meters with five main rooms and a beautiful swimming pool. It would also suit someone with an artistic personality.”
Mr Grima bought the vintage bird cages, containing Barbie dolls, at various markets in Melbourne.
Jonathon Grima in his former Point Cook home, where he installed a giant chess set. Photo: Kylie Anders.
He described Albion, near Sunshine, as a hidden gem in Melbourne’s west.
“It has a bit of a WeFo – West Footscray – atmosphere with lots of families, parks, historic houses, tree-lined streets and a great sense of community.”
Submission of expressions of interest closes on November 21 at 11am.
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