‘An absolute riot’: David and Merle recall Friday mornings in Flynn in the early 1980s

Friday mornings on Flierl Place, Flynn, were an absolute riot in the early 1980s.

The full-time mums of the street would get together at someone’s home, drink coffee and chat while piles of kids yelled and played outside in the backyard.

“Talk about laugh,” Merle says.

“Some women on the street worked part-time but most of us were full-time mums, and Fridays were definitely one of the highlights of the week.”

It’s one of the many beautiful memories making it a little challenging for Merle Coutts to leave her home of 47 years.

The five-bedroom property, designed by iconic mid-century architects Pettit and Sevitt, goes to auction on Saturday 14 May 2022.

“It’s true, I’m a little reluctant to leave,” Merle says.

“But it’s time for the home to open its arms to a new family.”

Merle and husband David both remember the first time they saw their architecturally-designed home in the small suburb in Canberra’s north. It was love at first sight. The home had all the hallmarks of a Pettit and Sevitt classic: simple, clean lines, natural light and ventilation, and efficient use of space. 

Beyond the house, Canberra itself offered the couple the kind of lifestyle they dreamed of. Both Merle and David grew up in Sydney and spent time overseas before deciding to settle in the emerging city of Canberra. The city was small, quiet, and lacked the stress and noise of Sydney.

For raising children, the home - and the suburb - were perfect.

“One of our boys in particular is still best friends with the boys he went to preschool with,” Merle says.

“There was, and still is, a nice community feel in Flynn.”

Additions to the home were undertaken in 1985 and 1995, and the kitchen was remodelled in the 1990s. Renovations undertaken by the Coutts’ remained true to the Pettit and Sevitt design, with door frames right to the ceiling and exposing the cedar used in new areas.

After 47 years, it’s hard for the couple to choose the thing they’ve loved most about living at 2 Flierl Place.

Merle loves the north-facing block: “The sun flowing in through the windows on a day like today, flowing into all of the rooms and filling them with light.”

For David, it’s the beautiful areas where outdoors meets indoors.

“The garden and the home just merge seamlessly, which is a true Pettit and Sevitt intention,” he says.

“It’s a treat to sit on either the front or the back decks and enjoy the quiet.”

2 Flierl Place is being auctioned at 1pm on Saturday 14 May 2022.

View the full listing.