One word comes to mind when the owners of this Gilberton villa describe their home: “grand”.

Yet despite its grandeur, current owner Kendall says it has never felt imposing, and she could always imagine it being a “lovely family home”.

“Even though it was a big home when we arrived, it felt like it would be a lovely place to bring up a family; it just had that warmth to it,” says Kendall.

“Our children went to school nearby. We love the heritage frontage – that’s always appealed to us – and the modern extension provided a great environment to bring up our kids.”

It doesn’t seem to be a choice they’ve regretted, as Kendall, a mother, and Andrew, a senior executive in the banking, oil and gas sectors, have called 7 Edwin Terrace, Gilberton their family home for the past 17 years.

Affectionately known as “Coonabar”, the 1880s Victorian-era Italianate-style dwelling comes with a rich history.

It was once home to John Thomas Fitch, who operated J. T. Fitch and Son, one of Adelaide’s finest drapery stores in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Among the other notable South Australians who have lived at the Edwin Terrace abode was the colonial politician and solicitor Beaumont Arnold Moulden.

This long and fascinating history is reflected in the unique Victorian architectural elements of Coonabar, with its prominent tower, bay windows, circular-headed windows, ornamental finials and decorative plaster embellishments.

Spread across two levels, the dwelling has five bedrooms, including the master suite with its ensuite and spacious walk-in wardrobe.

The house cleverly combines both formal and casual living, with its formal dining-entertaining area, its open-planned family room and kitchen and outdoor rumpus room.

“In the winter those rooms have become such a happy place for us. If we’re entertaining, we’ll start in the room with the bar and then we’ll have quite an informal dinner in the dining room and then go on to the lounge with the fire going,” says Kendall.

“The outside room we did specifically so the kids would be encouraged to bring all of their friends home, so we’ve got the billiard table out in the back room and in the front of that is where we have our outside table and chairs.

“This has been very much a hub of the family life in the summer months and all through the year for the kids when they were growing up here – that’s what we loved about the house.

“It seems to be the house that all of our extended families have enjoyed with us over the years and we’ll miss that. We’ll miss being able to have all of our family and friends here for the important occasions.”

Kendall says the former owners added the striking contemporary extension, but they also made some cosmetic updates to the house over the years.

This includes redoing the floors and adding the swimming pool.

The grounds also feature a tennis court and an immaculately landscaped garden. Jo Connolly designed the garden, once featured in Australian House & Garden magazine.

“Our brief for Jo was to keep it low maintenance and simple, in keeping with the heritage of the house,” says Kendall.

“So, we’ve created a room with the hedges in the front garden with some lovely sculptures that complement the bluestone of the house.”

After seventeen years, Kendall and Andrew are now looking to downsize.

“I’ve got to be honest; the driving force [for selling] is that the kids have essentially left home. We didn’t feel we were filling the house and that maybe it was time for another family,” says Kendall.

“It’s gorgeous. We’ve absolutely loved it, and we still love it. So, as I say, it’s very bittersweet. We’ve looked after it, loved it as much as we can, and now it’s someone else’s turn now.”

The sale of 7 Edwin Terrace, Gilberton is being handled by Sally Cameron from TOOP + TOOP.