#soldbysally #soldbyash $1,040,000

A great street, elevated block and the fabulous modernist canvas of this 1970s, home, caught the eye, of talented young couple, Brad and Tessa, who set out to create their forever home, in the leafy suburb of Giralang. Together, they lovingly restored this three-bedroom home, turning a neglected, run-down house into a light filled, energy efficient, space, fit for modern family life. There is a lovely flow, from inside to out, and the type of attention to detail and quality inclusions, that only an owner-builder could achieve.

Brad and Tessa fell in love with the quiet cul-de-sac, parkland at one end, established trees and the kind of community, where you know your neighbours by name and the kids can play, safely in the front yard.
"I love the front, sitting out on the deck in the sunlight, watching our two-year-old ride her bike up the street, the neighbours coming home, saying hello. I will miss that" Tessa says.
"We really like the topography, the fact that you can see out, over rooftops and the mountains out the back" adds Brad.

They also fell in love with the simplicity of the home's footprint and the way it referenced their love of Scandinavian minimalism.
"Minimalism has been an aim, it was the overarching concept" Brad says.

The sense of tranquillity, in this paired-back home, is palpable. The interior is simple -white, soft greys, matt black and natural timber - continuous threads, creating harmony, a sense of peace and a lovely restraint.
"It's reflective of how we like to live our lives" Tessa says.

They have optimised the floorplan by removing walls to open the living, dining, kitchen and increasing the size of the bathroom. Replacing flooring with a combo of timber style planks and soft carpeting, remodelling the wet areas and replacing the old kitchen, adding a sleek new island, 900mm oven, striking blackbutt and tile splashback and a fabulous European style laundry.
"We have really laboured over decisions" Brad explains, "and that makes a difference. We made sure to include loads of storage and to maximise the sense of space at every turn, right down to the bulkhead in the ceiling, creating different levels."

There has also been serious consideration given to sustainability, with new ceiling and wall insulation, double glazing to all windows, a six-star ducted gas heater, 8kw reverse cycle air-conditioner and slow combustion fire.
"And a perfect, northerly aspect and good shading," Brad adds.
"All three windows (dining, living, master) have bulk heads and recessed window treatments, so the heat doesn't escape the rooms" Tessa explains.

The lovely flow from easy front lawn, front deck, straight through to rear deck, large yard, has been maintained. The addition of a sunken fire-pit has added a great place to gather with friends, on cool winter nights.
"Literally everything has been replaced, decking, interiors, garden, but we have kept the integrity of the original footprint" explains Brad.

Brad is busy putting the final touches on the front landscaping, with its gorgeous combo of raised garden boxes using Canberra reds, sleepers, gravel and lush green lawn. He mentions all the new plantings, to maximise privacy to both the front and rear yards.
"We deliberately chose fast growing hedge plants" he says.

Brad and Tessa clearly love it here, but an opportunity to build their own home at the coast is too good to pass up.
"We really don't want to leave, we designed it for ourselves… all the little touches are personal, the fireplace, bathroom, the bookshelves" Tessa adds.
"I am going to miss the cosy living room, fireplace and the large, single fixed window that lets the light in, the view of gum trees" says Brad.

They were right in choosing Giralang to start their young family, it has everything - parks, day-care, gyms, schools, transport.
"And the lake, Tessa says, we go there often"
"We are so close to all the cosmopolitan centres here" Brad says, "Gungahlin, the inner-north, the CBD, it's just nice and central to everything."


features
.fully renovated family home in quiet family friendly cul dec sac
.refined minimalist aesthetic
sleek open plan kitchen with island bench, stone benchtops, dishwasher and gas cooking and 900mm oven
.three generous bedrooms all with built in robes
.concealed laundry with built in storage
.spacious, north facing lounge and dining room
.double glazed aluminium windows throughout
.fully insulated
.down lights throughout (light and power upgrade including switch board)
.newly landscaped front and rear yard including deck and fire pit area
.two car carport
.large garden shed
.instantaneous gas hot water
.ceiling fans in master bedroom and lounge
.6 star ducted gas heating plus feature wood fireplace
.8 kilowatt reverse cycle air conditioner
.walking distance to the Giralang Primary School

.EER: 4.5
.land size: 737m2
.land rates: $3,291 per annum (approx.)
.year of construction: 1974