Wollongong's oldest house is throwing open its doors to the public this July, to show off the progress of its extreme makeover.
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Owners Jenny Dixon and Harold Cosier have spent the last decade pouring their blood, sweat and tears into "Keera Vale" - the Georgian house in Bukari Street, West Wollongong - with at least another 10 or more years until the makeover is complete.
The restoration process has had its ups and downs, such as Ms Dixon's battle with breast cancer and a structural wall that decided to shift out of place.
"Now it looks like a grand old home whereas before .. she looked like rubble," Ms Dixon told the Mercury.
"There's been ebbs and flows with how much we've been able to achieve, sometimes because we're saving up for the next big thing [like the verandah], or sometimes life gets in the way."
Mr Cosier spends the majority of his spare time working on the home, stripping lead paint from window frames or using a razor blade to peel back paint from walls. But it's work that "feeds his soul", said his wife.
"Harold is absolutely devoted to that house," Ms Dixon said.
As for how much money they've spent so far? They stopped counting after $200,000 as they couldn't bear to hear it.
The home was originally built in 1843 for Judge Roger Therry, a barrister from County Cork who was attorney-general, sitting in the NSW Legislative Council from 1841 to 1843.
However, research by the now owners found he never ended up living in Keera Vale and it was rented out, as it was for many years to follow, and never "treasured" by a family until now.
The beloved labour of love is still far from finished, but will taking public tours in group on July 16 from 9am to 4pm. Entry will be via a small donation which goes to the National Trust.
David MacReady of Gong Architects has been working with the family throughout the process to restore the building to its former glory, and said he was glad they were not rushing their decisions.
"It's beyond ambitious what they've taken on, with just the hours and hours of work and hours and hours discovering [its history]," he said.
"They bought it romantically, didn't really know what they were in for .. but they'vee really stuck with the authenticity and not given up on the dream for it to the best by the building the whole way through."
The house was featured on ABC TV's Restoration Australia in 2015, is a regular source of curiosity for passing motorists and has 5000 followers to its Facebook page.
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