14 Windeyer Street, Watson, ACT 2602

The elegant form of the tower rises silvery from the native gardens, catching the eye as you approach the home from the street. A glass door ushers straight into the double storied space, the entryway blessed with hanging silver falls. Or you might choose the garden path, moving past leafy green walls, burgeoning tree ferns. From here you step onto a low front porch and are welcomed by a russet orange front door, handsome ribboned glass sidelight. 

Thoughtfully designed and executed by Sonder architects, this renovated, extended and sustainably upgraded home is at once uplifting and intriguing. Considered detailing ushers in texture, pops of earthy colour and a precise eye for engagement with nature. Claire Reece has radically transformed this sweet, 1965 ex-govie while still respecting its gentle vintage vibe. It was a deliberate choice to preserve the existing two-bedder, limiting the loss of embodied energy, to extend to the south in a way that preserved the garden and allow glorious northern light to infiltrate the new rooms.

Warm timber cladding is left to age naturally, developing a silvery-grey patina and there is a lovely, restrained use of Corten Steel, introducing a rich red brown. Both the landing and porch are tiled in a mosaic of black and grey tiles, offset by a bed of native grass with soft foxtail flowers. We love the half-moon timber door handle - a unifying touch that continues within the home, from the round bespoke hooks by Auburn Woodturning in the foyer, to the organic timber handles in both the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Living, dining and kitchen are arranged in a sweeping curve, allowing the open space to embrace the garden on two sides. Recycled timber floors are rich underfoot and the walls are a soft white, reflecting the light and perfectly staging chosen artworks. The kitchen delivers banks of crisp white cabinets and an artful geometric tiled splashback in a pop of sage green. There is a mix of gas and electric appliances, including a dishwasher and a glorious view from the sink, out to the back garden with its array of natives, herbs, established vegetable patch. French doors with integrated phantom screens edge the dining space, so you can spill outside and sojourn in the sun. 

An open timber staircase connects the two new rooms and cleverly doubles down on storage with plenty of under stair cabinetry. Large windows dot the lofty void, drawing warming light, patterning the wall with shadow. These are flexible spaces, think studio, home office, playroom or peaceful bedrooms with large corner windows that capture light and landscape. Climbing hardenbergia creates a vertical garden and upstairs allows you to gaze upon the form of Mt Majura. The new bathroom sits perfectly at the foot of the staircase and features beautiful Japanese tiles, a floating stone benchtop, counter top basin and brass hardware.  

A slender hallway connects to the duo of original bedrooms and the family bathroom with bathtub. The master bedroom has a large window with bespoke seating allowing you to relax among the carefully planted tall flowers, gifting the feeling of floating within a meadow. Both bedrooms have built-in-storage and the bathroom is finished in square white tiles with earthy tumbled terracotta floors. 

The leafy neighbourhood of Watson connects you to various inner-north hubs that extend a variety of independent shopping, drinking and dining experiences. Enjoy great coffee, fabulous pizza at The Knox, or dine out at the Filipino eatery, Lola and Lola. The home is directly across from the new playground that is currently under construction featuring two multi-use courts, grassland, amphitheatre, skating element and change rooms. It is not far to Watson Micro Forest and Majura Primary School and handy to Dickson shops, host to an array of international cuisines and the famed Braddon precinct. Majura Nature Reserve is close to hand, as is much loved Ainslie shops. The home is also convenient to a mix of private and public schools, close to EPIC and the Fresh Food Markets and handy to transport, including the light rail, whisking you straight to the CBD.

features.
.renovated and extended 1960s home in leafy Watson
.ideally placed directly across from the brand new inner north playground
.designed by Sonder architects
.6.1 NatHERS star rating 
.three to four bedrooms and two bathrooms
.north-west facing front living area overlooking private front gardens
.kitchen combined dining opening to back garden and alfresco terrace 
.recycled timber floors from Thor's Hammer
.timber framed double-glazing
.tower with high set windows to welcome northern light 
.downstairs office, playroom or fourth bedroom with corner windows framing the back garden
.adjacent bathroom with Japanese wall tiles
.timber stairs with under stair storage
.upstairs third bedroom or music room with elevated mountain views
.kitchen with artful tiled splashback, banks of storage and all electric appliances, including a dishwasher
.master bedroom with timber window seat and built-in-robe
.second bedroom also with built-in-robe
.large family bathroom with bathtub
.internal laundry with direct garden access
.6.6KW solar array
.RC split systems for heating and cooling
.water tank
.heat pump hot water system
.Corten Steel carport with storage cupboard
.additional storage room for bikes 
.large backyard with established natives, herbs and vegetable garden
.chook yard
.garden storage
.close to the local Watson and Ainslie shops, parks, transport and schools including the ANU
.whisper close to the Dickson and Braddon Precincts and the CBD
.10 minute walk to Downer shops with Gang Gang cafe


FINE DETAILS (all approximate):
 
Land size: 654 m2
Build size: 133 m2 (approx.)
EER: 5.0
 
Build year: 1964
 
Rates: $4318.34 pa
Land tax: $8700.32pa (investors only)
UV: $783,000 (2024)