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Ashlee Coombe admits she was worried that moving her boys into a home made of shipping containers would cause them some embarrassment.But Bailey, 8, and twins Noah and Chase, 6, “absolutely love it” and – even though it’s squashy – love having friends over to show off their unusual digs.<img alt="IMG_1135" class="richtext-image full-width" height="635" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/IMG_1135.width-800.jpg" width="800">Ashlee, a single mum, was “only just” staying afloat financially last year when a debilitating spinal injury made it impossible for her to work. Facing a long stretch with no income, she had to get creative with living options for herself and the boys.“The need to save money and live comfortably with my boys became a priority,” she says.Ashlee considered a smaller apartment, renting a granny flat and even living in a caravan before hitting the <a href="https://www.readyhomes.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Readyhomes website</a>, where she discovered she could buy a mobile home made of shipping containers. Readyhome builds and installs two-, three- and four-bedroom “expandable container homes” as well as one-bedroom studios, living pods and bolt-on ensuites.<img alt="IMG_1133" class="richtext-image full-width" height="1066" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/IMG_1133.width-800.jpg" width="800">Ashlee loved the idea: but where to put it? She couldn’t afford to buy a piece of land so she did what most of us would do: asked her mum and dad. Mum Gillian and dad Paul agreed to let Ashlee and their grandsons live in their Queanbeyan backyard.While Ashlee had initially wanted a three-bedroom, 40ft home, it would have taken up the entire yard. So she opted for the two-bedroom option, at 20ft, which meant the family still had room to play, and could keep the cherished above-ground pool for summer.<img alt="IMG_1129" class="richtext-image full-width" height="1066" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/IMG_1129.width-800.jpg" width="800">Ashlee’s house was literally craned in over the top of Gillian and Paul’s Queanbeyan home, and days later they were moving furniture in. The home stands on a trailer (with wheels) and as such is considered mobile, eliminating the need for council approval.With all three boys in one bedroom, Ashlee used her creativity and hacked an Ikea bunk bed, adding a third level.<img alt="IMG_1136" class="richtext-image full-width" height="1066" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/IMG_1136.width-800.jpg" width="800">“Despite my initial concern about the limited space for them to play, they actually love our tiny house,” Ashlee says.“While it does feel cramped at times, they make use of the backyard for play, and we&#x27;re often out and about doing activities together.”<img alt="IMG_1132" class="richtext-image full-width" height="960" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/IMG_1132.width-800.jpg" width="720">Maintaining privacy between the main house and Ashlee’s house has been a priority for both families.“We use careful planning and open communication,” Ashlee says.“We have separate entrances — and we’ve set clear boundaries and have ongoing conversations to ensure that both households have the privacy they need.”<img alt="readyhomes1" class="richtext-image full-width" height="667" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/readyhomes1.width-800.jpg" width="500">After surgery late last year to help heal her spine, Ashlee’s looking forward to returning to work.“I’m yet to see the financial benefits of moving into our tiny house as I haven’t been able to work,” she says.“But I’ve had surgery and I’m recovering well. I’ll return to work this year and will absolutely see the benefits once I have an income stream again.“It’s exciting.”

The Queanbeyan mum who moved her family into shipping containers

Behind the humble modernist facade of <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/36-carnegie-crescent-narrabundah-act-2604-55394/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">36 Carnegie Crescent</a> in Narrabundah lies a vibrant home that artfully blends timeless mid-century elements with sleek contemporary design.Selling agent Holly Komorowski from home.by holly says the 1950s three-bedroom home has taken on an edgy, urban persona.“This property has attitude!” she said.Architect-designed, the home commands attention from the street, with its magnificent locally quarried Pialligo stone entry and plinth, expansive windows and mid-century modern roofline.<div>
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The moody interiors are just as intriguing, with a stylish makeover renewing the bathrooms and kitchen, but retaining the cool vintage vibe. The home was extended in 1988, and further additions, including new decking, were completed in 2014.Holly says this isn’t the first time the owner has taken an iconic character home and transformed it by artfully mixing design elements.“Sometimes when it comes to homes, there are people who are intuitive, who just know how to put things together,” she said.“The owner has a really brave and adventurous sense of style. She does what others can’t – or don’t – to arouse curiosity, fascinate and create a beautiful space.”It’s the kind of house that “demonstrates how you can play with style and be adventurous with colour”, Holly says.<img alt="lounge" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/36-carnegie-crescent-narrabundah-act-2604-5539.width-800.jpg" width="800">When you enter the home, the front lounge room makes a statement, with a stylish bar area and impressive solid sandstone fireplace the focal point.The lounge flows onto a dining area with full-length glass doors that open onto a private terrace balcony, perfect for an afternoon sundowner. A cute kitchen servery window and cocktail bar add to the nostalgia of the home.“The dining room is very intimate and, if you’re entertaining, guests can spill out onto the alfresco deck at the rear of the home, which also connects to the kitchen, creating a really great indoor-outdoor flow through the home,” Holly said.The sleek black and white kitchen, complete with a stone island bench, five-burner gas stove and 600 mm oven, can be extended into the alfresco living space by opening a wall of stacking glass doors.The three bedrooms are all unique, with the luxurious master retreat featuring a staircase to a suspended loft and a brand new minimalist ensuite and access to the rear deck.<img alt="Loft" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/36-carnegie-crescent-narrabundah-act-2604-5539.width-800_ysqrwTf.jpg" width="800">“The loft is a versatile and unique space that adds an unexpected layer to the master bedroom,” Holly said.“The vaulted ceiling with the sky windows allows for great airflow and fills the room with light making it feel more expansive and modern.”The second bedroom boasts a huge walk-in-robe, while the bright family bathroom features a tub/shower combo.With the original Cypress pine flooring in the living, dining, kitchen areas, and two of the three bedrooms, the home is ideal for a funky young family or stylish couple seeking a unique character home.“What I really like about the home is its really efficient footprint. There are no wasted areas,” Holly said.“The home has a fantastic flow through, from the front terrace to the back deck and so many rooms that can open up to the outside.”<img alt="indoor outdoor" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/36-carnegie-crescent-narrabundah-act-2604-5539.width-800_qdq9cAH.jpg" width="800">The home is one of many mid-century style homes that sit shoulder-to-shoulder in Carnegie Crescent.“It’s one of the really special streets of Canberra that has retained a lot of its original architectural character,” Holly added.The Rocky Knob Parkland, walking trails and the Carnegie Crescent playground are close by for those who enjoy the great outdoors, while it’s just a 12-minute drive into Canberra city.The home captures elevated views from the back deck and offers potential for a future second story renovation to capitalise on the outlook across Fyshwick and Canberra Airport.Sitting on a 562 square metre block with a single lock-up garage and fully landscaped mature gardens, this striking home is ripe for a buyer that is bored with bland and who possesses a serious sense of style.Contact Holly Komorowski on 0434 973 987 to arrange an inspection of <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/36-carnegie-crescent-narrabundah-act-2604-55394/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">36 Carnegie Crescent</a> in Narrabundah.Article was originally written and published by <a href="https://the-riotact.com/revived-1950s-abode-with-attitude-seeks-edgy-buyer-with-a-serious-sense-of-style/542990" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The RiotAct.</a>

2 news articles with tag unique

The Queanbeyan mum who moved her family into shipping containers

Revived 1950s abode with attitude seeks edgy buyer with a serious sense of style