The devil's in the design detail

It’s undeniable that location is king when it comes to selling but if you want to stand out among your neighbours, it all comes down to great design.

Demand for high-end homes in Canberra has increased. According to Allhomes data analyst Nicola Powell, 259 million-dollar homes have sold this year, a 9.3 per cent increase on the same on the same time period last year.

The properties were also snapped up quickly, averaging 61 days on the market – 17 days or 21.9 per cent less than last year’s million-dollar homes.

Expectations are high and the number of buyers prepared to do their own renovations is shrinking.

Peter Blackshaw agent Mario Sanfrancesco says buyers are looking for a lifestyle.

“Buyers at the upper end are very discerning,” Sanfrancesco says.

“They really have a new appreciation for quality finishes and architecture, so we’re seeing the upper end really coming of age in Canberra residential homes.”

Sanfrancesco says flexible family homes, penthouse apartments and low-maintenance dual occupancies all offer their own set of advantages for the prestige market. However, functional floor plans with seamless indoor/outdoor living spaces are sought after across all housing types.

“External spaces that correlate with the internal living areas are very important to buyers, whether that be large family homes with resort-style features or prestige penthouse apartments with balconies,” Sanfrancesco says.

The design features that tie all these spaces together are essential, according to Sugar Designs founder and principal design consultant Helen Tadiello.

Whether you’re renovating to sell now or hope to add value to your home for a future sale, she says there are a few additions that can lift your home from run of the mill to high-end – and they won’t all break the bank.

“Fixtures and finishes are very important in completing a home look, but so is the budget,” Tadiello says.

“It’s very easy to overcommit yourself to expensive decor and fixtures, but so much more fun when you search for those special items with value for money in mind.”

Tadiello suggests sticking to neutral tones in the kitchen, while thinking outside the box on the items we take for granted.

LED lighting is highly recommended and more affordable than it was just a few years ago.

“Ribbons of LEDs are showing up in the weirdest – and most wonderful – kitchen places: along toe kicks as nightlights, under overhead cupboards, on the inside of cabinet doors to show off grandma’s china, concealed in cornices or bulkheads to wash ceilings with light,” Tadiello says.

Traditional appliances can also be reimagined to suit the space. For instance, integrated fridges.

“Homeowners are customising their cooling needs with point-of-use refrigeration,” Tadiello says.

“This could mean adding an under-counter produce fridge in your bench next to a wine fridge for adults and a juice/soda fridge for kids.”

The details will also set a bathroom apart and accessible showers and freestanding tubs are now a must-have item in prestige homes.

“Once a design requirement for mobility reasons, now it’s a design trend to create a walk-in shower area that feels spacious,” Tadiello says.

“When you’re initially designing your bathroom layout, freestanding tubs offer a lot of flexibility in their placement. Interestingly, some people are choosing to put their freestanding tubs inside their shower areas.”

Whichever room you’re working with, Tadiello suggests investing in the foundations and choosing decor that has texture and evokes an inviting ambience.

Timber floors are worth splashing out on, she says, while full-height windows and high ceilings will create a sense of space and bring more natural light into the home.

Must-have prestige items

• The freestanding tub: Freestanding tubs add a sense of decadence to any bathroom. What’s more, they offer flexibility and can be tucked within a shower area or form the centrepiece for a large bathroom.
• The butler’s pantry: The butler’s pantry is a practical inclusion, even if you don’t have the eponymous servant. That additional storage space is a godsend for large families and extra prep space makes entertaining a breeze.
• The swimming pool: Yes, Canberra’s cooler months drag on well into spring, but a beautiful swimming pool can double as a water feature and add a point of interest to your outdoor entertaining areas. Don’t have the space? A plunge pool could be a low-maintenance alternative.

Smart design and luxury touches

Our cover property’s smart design, array of inclusions and luxurious finishes caught the eye of the Seven Network’s Australia’s Best Houses.

The show’s presenter Bessie Kay, pictured above with interior designer Jocelyn Guest, described its style as “industrial with a twist” and says the home’s long list of inclusions make it a standout property.

The home was designed and constructed by local building company Guest Designs and Jocelyn lists the L-shaped swimming pool, the marble fireplace and the opulent bathrooms as her three favourite features.

It’s also the first property in Canberra to be fitted with the Clipsal SILC system, and everything from the lighting to the pool’s waterfall feature can be controlled from a smartphone.

The house will feature on Australia’s Best Houses’ luxury living special, which starts on Friday, October 7, at 9.30pm on 7TWO.

Cover property

22 Laffan Street, Coombs
$1.5 million-plus
5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces
​Auction on Saturday, September 24 at 1pm, onsite.
Inspect from 1.30pm-2.30pm on Saturday, and Thursday, 6pm-7pm
​Ray White Canberra, Nick Haider 0405 129 900

Every aspect of this spectacular five-bedroom home in Coombs has been thoughtfully designed and carefully crafted.

Ray White Woden agent Nick Haider says it’s this attention to detail that elevates the home to the next level.

“All the features of this property categorically complement each other,” Ray White Woden agent Nick Haider said.

“Striking interior design combined with the highest quality imported and local inclusions resulted in this property’s amazing character.”

You’ll find these special details throughout each corner of the home – a marble fireplace in the open-plan living area, Canberra red brick accents on the porch and rose gold tapware in the bathroom.

The big-ticket items are also accounted for. An L-shaped swimming pool wraps around the living room and the kitchen is complete with a gorgeous butler’s pantry, motorised cabinetry and integrated appliances.

All three bathrooms are simply stunning. The master en suite and main bathroom feature freestanding tubs and double showers and the fifth bedroom on the lower floor also has a luxurious en suite. Even the powder room is sure to impress.

This first-class home enjoys a position to match with prime frontage onto the Molonglo River. It also boasts views towards Black Mountain and Parliament House.