After some major concentration on retaining walls and levelling, the section was neat, flat and grassy, and planning for what they describe as "the perfect family home" for themselves, and their small sons Leo, now 7, Freddie, 4, and schnoodle Izzy, could get underway.
The house is an interesting shape; like a series of large boxes, with cedar on the front exterior, weatherboards at the back and a Colorsteel roof.
"We had to take account of a large tree that's actually on council land," commercial manager Carl explains.
Luckily his father is a draughtsman and his brother-in-law is a cabinet-maker, so there was plenty of expertise to hand.
Through the front door is a light-filled lobby with a media room or formal lounge to its right.
Ahead, a large kitchen, daily living and dining space opens up with flat access to the back yard with its dining, lounging and play facilities, which include an elevated play hut.
"We wanted everything to be tall and bright, inside and out," says Carl, referencing the floor to ceiling windows and the imposing kitchen joinery.
The couple found inspiration for their kitchen in a magazine.
The photo was actually of a Melbourne cafe and they credit Hayley Dryland from August & Co, who cleverly interpreted it for them.
"She was more than just a designer, she was also a marriage counsellor and mediator," says Natasya. "Carl and I often have trouble agreeing on things but Hayley always helped us towards an outcome that we both liked."
The walls in the living area were originally painted white but, according to Natasya, the result was somewhat clinical.
"It was rather like a hospital," she says. Subsequently the walls were re-painted in Porters Paints Thoroughbred, a deep brownish grey and the effect is sensational.
Beyond the kitchen and beside the outdoor living area, Leo and Freddie have their own wing where there are three bedrooms, one of which is currently used by the family's European au-pair, while the boys each have their own.
A family bathroom sits centrally here with a platform bath and sliding windows.
"It's very private so I imagined myself relaxing in the tub with a glass of wine and a gentle cooling breeze but there's never enough time," says Natasya, who works in learning development.
Back near the front of the house, past the cloakroom with its striking foil wallcovering and a sunny home office, the couple's own elevated master suite is well thought out, with elegant deep inky blue walls.
The walk-through wardrobe is situated behind the bed and the decor in the tiled bathroom echoes that of the family bathroom in the boys' wing.
With Leo, and later this year, Freddie, happily enrolled at Glendowie School, the Tuckers plan to stay in the area and undertake another building project.
They won't be going far from the beach and the bustling shops and cafes along the waterfront.
"It's the best spot you could imagine for parks, public transport and access to the city, and all in a quiet, leafy street with lots of lovely families."
