Television presenter and singer Monica Trapaga is selling the Southern Highlands cottage that became her creative sanctuary during COVID.
The weatherboard home at 11 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale, is listed with a price guide of $1.65 million to $1.75 million through The Agency’s Ben Olofsen.
Ms Trapaga, who turned 60 in December, purchased the circa-1910 cottage as lockdowns lifted, seeking space away from the extended family who had gathered at her Sydney home during the pandemic.
“I had just finished art school when COVID fell upon us,” she told Domain.
“I thought: ‘I really need to find a place with a studio, so I can start a new chapter in my life.'”
The three-bedroom property captured her attention immediately.
“The house just sang to me,” she said said.
“It’s got a lot of soul to it, and a lot of creative energy.”
While the cottage’s high ceilings, period fixtures and worn floorboards impressed her, it was the garden that sealed the deal.
“From the street, all I could see was a lovely little white cottage, but when I walked down the driveway, this enormous garden opened up in front of me.”
The property features lemon, fig, pear, peach, plum and apricot trees alongside flowering plants. Ms Trapaga added a vegetable patch and more rose bushes during her ownership.
She converted one bedroom into an art studio and hosted bandmates who became regular visitors as she performed at venues across the Highlands.
The cottage required minimal work – just floorboard restoration and fresh paint inside and out.
“The bones were solid, and the ceiling heights meant I never felt claustrophobic,” she said.
“The floorboards had worn down beautifully and gave the place great acoustics for rehearsing music.”
She is now selling to spend a year travelling.
“I’ve had a love affair with this home,” she said.
“I just feel like I want to make a change for my third act.”
She hopes a family will be the next owner.
“The garden deserves to be filled with happy sounds and energetic kids.”
The Agency’s Ben Olofsen has the listing.
