When local business owners Elisa and James discovered this 1920s cottage in Rose Park, they were drawn to its unlimited potential.

Although the house looked tired, it was full of historic charm and offered the chance for a spectacular transformation, while its central location was another selling point.

“The location was excellent and the cottage had its own charm and was relatively untouched,” says James.

“I wasn’t familiar with the suburb until James brought it to me and it made sense to us,” adds Elisa.

It wasn’t long before Elisa and James set about planning their all-encompassing renovation of 69 Swaine Avenue, Rose Park.

They enlisted Mavtect Design to draw up the plans, with Adelaide Building Group executing the vision in 2018.

Elisa and James tell SALIFE they had a lot of input into the design, with Elisa creating countless mood boards.

“I reckon we were planning for eighteen months to two years before we actually started, and we redrew and redrew it,” says James.

Elisa says that priorities of the renovation were to increase the number of bedrooms and to add an extra lounge room.

This was achieved by creating an open-plan area at the back of the house, with its dining, kitchen and living spaces.

Elisa and James used herringbone-style European Oak floors at the front, while the modern extension features polished concrete floors.

“It was just a beautiful flow between the two,” says Elisa.

“Then that concrete floor extends out to the outdoor area, so it doesn’t feel like you’re moving through rooms – it’s almost like a seamless transition.”

The couple also wanted to accentuate the soaring 1920s ceilings, which are emulated in the contemporary extension.

The second lounge, which doubles as a home cinema, features a historic fireplace, decorative ceilings and a large bay window.

Nearby, the master bedroom boasts a spacious walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite with heated floors, stone countertops and double vanities.

Two additional bedrooms, both with built-in robes, run off the main hallway.

A separate entrance from the carport takes you to the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area at the rear.

The kitchen features a walk-in butler’s pantry, the latest Miele appliances, Super White Dolomite kitchen benches and custom-built Walls Bros. Designer Kitchen joinery.

Bifold doors look out onto the landscaped gardens, with its heated pool and spa and built-in outdoor sound system.

“We wanted to utilise the north-facing rear so that we’d get the winter sun coming through the windows and a good view and aspect from the living area to oversee the pool and the garden,” says James.

Elisa says they went vertical with the landscaping, installing a screen for climbers on the fence and bookending the pool with two vertical gardens.

“That’s why there’s really lovely, lush hedging, especially on the western side where the jasmine, the creeping fig and wisteria have grown,” she says.

When asked about their favourite part in the house, Elisa says they both wanted to say “everything” initially.

But after 14 “wonderful” years, they are now looking to move onto a new project.

Elisa and James say they will miss the property’s timeless elegance, as well as its ideal location.

“The house is truly perfect. Turn-key ready for its next owners,” says Elisa.

“It’s going to be hard to top this one in our future and we hope the new owners will love it as much as we do.”

The sale of 69 Swaine Avenue, Rose Park is being handled by Sally Cameron from Toop + Toop.