Top 4 open homes to inspect in Canberra and surrounding NSW regions this weekend

This month, Canberra is at the peak of celebrating all things stylish living and home design as the Design Canberra Festival continues to open our eyes to the creative visionaries and world-renowned architecture across residential and built public spaces found right here in the capital.

We also had the Master Builders ACT awards announced a little differently this year, with two winners revealed online each day over four weeks, but the calibre of projects set a new industry bar. The top gong, House of the Year, was the best saved for last and went to a Deakin home that pays tribute to traditional origami. Although it’s not on the market (yet!), it shone a wide and bright light over the level of faultless quality and craftsmanship of homes speckled throughout this city – similar to what we strive to bring you in our top picks of open homes each week.

This week is no exception, as we feature a Yarralumla residence with a sun-lit Japanese maple atrium and a mid-century abode in sought-after Murrumbateman, just to name a few.

Yarralumla

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In a chaotically busy world, it’s no wonder contemporary homes promote less clutter. More storage options and space endorse feelings of order and calm, feelings you’ll be imbued with when entering the home at 24A Bentham Street.

Architecturally designed by Paul Tilse, this exquisitely finished home is everything you could hope for in a modern build. North-facing with an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows, it is filled with natural light.

Finishes like European oak flooring, warm cedar wall panelling and Carrera marble benchtops provide a subtle connection to nature, enhanced by the surrounding manicured gardens, Japanese elms and magnolia trees.

The living room at the rear of the house also offers the chance to be as neat as possible with a built-in entertainment unit and modular storage unit.

“A place for everything and everything in its place” couldn’t ring more true here.

Price guide: $1.9 million-$2 million

Private sale

Agent: Berkely Residential, Simon Richards 0424 688 553

Torrens

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This delightful, leafy property presents a growing family with the outstanding opportunity to live in a blue-ribbon location with the scope to update and improve in years to come.

Set back from the street on an expansive parcel of land, the home greets you with a long driveway leading to the oversized double garage.

Mature hedges hide the true size of the home from view, creating privacy from the street.

Inside is 218 square metres of internal living and spacious gathering areas including sunken formal living with views of gardens through large windows that soak in sunlight.

Bedrooms are serviced by the central bathroom complete with a bath and two-way access. The main is located towards the rear of the home and has access to the deck, overlooking the in-ground pool.

Price guide: $950,000 +

Auction: 11.30am, November 28

Agent: Independent Woden, Jonathan Charles 0413 909 158

Murrumbateman

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Soaring cedar panelled ceilings, apexed glass walls, a rear deck, clay-surface tennis court, spiral staircase to a loft area, two-bedroom self-contained studio and massive workshop are just some of the features that make this property on 1.62 hectares stand out in market.

No space was wasted at No. 70 McIntosh Circuit, with every corner oozing with charm and practicality.

The main residence was built in the late 1970s and features an open living and dining room with a brass cone fireplace.

The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in a wealth of light to the living areas and kitchen and offer the new homeowners a beautiful view of the swimming pool and rear gardens.

The cosy studio is fitted with its own fireplace, bathroom and kitchen, which will be a treat to visiting guests or perhaps it can be leased to provide a second stream of income.

Price guide: $1.25 million

Private sale

Agent: Elders Murrumbateman, John Lennie 0407 417 783

Braidwood

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This solar passive homestead overlooking the Shoalhaven River is what dreams are made of.

A striking stone and glass entrance hall is a grand taste of what to expect throughout, including a generous open-plan lounge and dining room with gas fireplace and elegant gourmet kitchen.

With more than 40 hectares of land at your dispense, playing host to families and friends will be no problem. Whether you’re kicking a footy around, gathering around the barbecue or hosting a movie night, this home is made for entertainers.

With direct access to Shoalhaven River, it’s calling you to take advantage of this summer’s sun and take a dip in the water.

Other features of the property include an enclosed chicken coop and sheltered veggie patch, multiple rainwater tanks and great internet and mobile reception – a must.

Price guide:$1.575 million

Private sale

Agent: Belle Property Braidwood, Kelly Allen 0466 632 696