Ms Lewin lived on-site while she painstakingly repaired the important piece of Tenterfield history, under the guidance of the Heritage Council of NSW.
“I was sleeping on a blow-up mattress and the kitchen consisted of a bench, sink, little stove and three microwaves,” she said.
‘I had electricity and a wardrobe made out of an old cardboard box. That first period was all a bit of an adventure.”
All the sweat and toil has paid off, with the completed restoration revealing a residence distinguished by late Victorian architecture, classic chimneys, polished timber floors and insulated decorative plaster ceilings.
“It has so much charm and ambiance,” Ms Lewin said.
“Local people say that they’re glad I’ve done it. You certainly don’t do it for investment purposes but my heart was in restoring it to look the part.”
The front door opens to a central hall off which are four rooms with double chimneys, as well as a main bathroom with underfloor heating.
A store room with floor-to-ceiling shelving provides storage and adds to the old world charm.
The kitchen has timeless timber cabinetry, whitewashed walls, a classic Falcon range with gas cooktop and double electric oven and separate grill, drawer dishwasher, and marble benchtops.
A combustion heater provides extra warmth and comfort in the New England winters, while it’s a cool house in the summer.
There’s a delightful breakfast room with open fireplace and French doors leading into an enclosed courtyard with cottage gardens. | 
