Spence family home amid lush, private garden on big block is colourfully updated

18 Garrard Street, Spence
$580,000-plus
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces

A confident, artistic touch has been at work on this Spence family home that has been lovingly brought to life and consistently reinvented over 23 years.

Homeowner Jenny Swan who runs Braddon homewares store, Handsome Pretty (aficionados of television’s classic Lost in Space will get the allusion), says she and husband, Greg, discovered the Garrard Street property in 1993.

“We were living in Giralang and the children wanted to be closer to their friends,” she says.

“We loved that it was very private and on a big block – the home was a little dated, but had lots of light and plenty of potential.”

The four-bedroom property is set back on its 1042-square-metre block behind a brick wall with gates that offers that all-important sense of privacy.

Jenny and Greg upgraded the two bathrooms and kitchen as the children grew up while Jenny injected the internal decor with her passion for art, aesthetics and a keen eye for the eclectic.

“I do like colour and I’m not afraid to use it,” she says.

“My background in the arts also exposed me to a lot of influences and many of those have found a place in the home.”

The home has a front terrace and a rear deck that provide the vital connection to the outdoors and the lush gardens that have been another grand passion for the Swans.

Jenny says since the children had left home and the couple had enjoyed a trip around Australia, they had come to the realisation that a downsize was in order.

“We’ll actually be moving above the Braddon store,” she says.

“It’s going to be sad to leave Garrard Street as there are wonderful memories, but the time is right.”

Auction: Friday, December 9, 6pm, onsite. Inspect: Saturday, 12.30pm-1.15pm; Wednesday, December 7, 5.30pm-6pm; Friday, December 9, 5.30pm-6pm.  Agent: home.by holly, Holly Komorowski 0434 973 987 

19 Cottam Place, Nicholls
​$750,000-plus5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces

A casual browse on the Allhomes website led a couple to a strikingly different home in Nicholls that’s highlighted by the dramatic combination of timber, high ceilings and large picture windows.

Kristin D’Elboux says she and husband Nathan weren’t particularly looking for a new home when she chanced on the Cottam Place home.

“In fact, we were considering extending the home we were living in – and then I saw this one,” she says.

“After an inspection, we were ready to move mountains to buy it.”

The home is characterised by its extensive timber ceilings that soar into highlighted raked voids. Over-large picture frame windows provide a vital connection to the outdoors that further enhances the space, light and airiness.

“The living areas wrap around the deck and that just increases the feeling of space,” Kristin says.

The inspired floor plan also ensures the master bedroom is at the opposite end to the children’s wing.

“Two living areas means it’s possible for a growing family to have space of their own and others where they come together,” Kristin says.

Auction: Saturday, December 10, 10am, onsite. Inspect: Saturday, December 3, 12pm-12.45pm; Wednesday, December 7, 5.30pm-6pm; Saturday, December 10, 9.30am-10am. Agent: Josh Morrissey, PRDnationwide Canberra, 0437 799 234.