YOU don't realise Garry Davis's front lawn is artificial grass almost until you step on it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The occasional "dead" blade and the stray leaves that have blown onto it from the garden beds of iceberg roses and escalonias help carry off the illusion.
It is only when you walk up it to meet Garry sitting on a bench in the sun outside the imposing front door that you are sure. It is soft under foot, but not quite soft enough.
This unashamed preference for labour-saving features carries right through this enormous house from the carpeted street kerb to the self-watering garden beds along the brick wall behind the pool at the back.
And yes, the verdant green grass around the pool is also artificial, although this obvious - like the difference between a cheap artificial Christmas tree and a delux job with tiny pine cones and life-like needles.
It's all about saving labour, or for Garry, who works 60 hours a week running his removals business, saving time.
"I got a few comments from people about how stupid it was to put in artificial grass. I had a beautiful front lawn. When it rained I'd be out there fertilising it but when the water restrictions came in and it all died my son said why didn't I put in artificial turf. I liked what I saw, so I did," he said.
"I have no time for gardening but I like the garden so I put in the astro turf."
With the exception of a narrow strip down the southern side of the house where a mossy ground cover thrives underneath a canopy of (real) tree ferns and the garden beds which run along the boundaries there is no natural ground cover at all.
There are large expanses of paving which run down the other side of the home and wrap around the rear windows of the kitchen/dining area and the bar-cum-pool room, past the barbecue, a small feature garden and up to the pool fence, where of course the pool-side astro-turf takes over.
About 16 years old, 62 squares and boasting three big bedrooms plus a massive master bedroom with an en suite built for two, two other bathrooms, a study and a media area, the Pine Ridge Way home is big.
And very, very low maintenance.
Almost all the downstairs living areas are tiled and annoying things like the summer sun streaming through a high window which illuminates the entrance foyer and large staircase to the upstairs bedrooms are tamed by a remote control blind or other labour saving devices.
The garden beds of which there are many, are watered automatically and a professional gardener spends about six hours a month maintaining the manicured garden Garry loves to spend precious spare time in.
Inside it's very much a case of the place that feels like home - if you're a Bulldogs supporter.
A porcelain bulldog on the bar stands guard over a pool room where a framed Canterbury Bankstown football jersey rubs shoulders with photos of his beloved Bulldogs and a cabinet of Bulldogs collectables.
The jewel in the crown is the pool table, resplendent with blue felt.
There are also photos of 10 pacers Garry has owned. Horses are his other passion.
The bar, which includes a three-door bar fridge divides the pool room from a home theatre area with surround sound speakers built into the ceiling.
Lights in the entire living area are controlled by touch pads.
Now separated and living alone in this vast house Garry has his eye out for something about half the size and without a pool.
It should also have a three-car garage and a large shed. Lawn is optional.