Here “CityNews” showcases the goods and services of local experts who can help you achieve those home-improvement objectives…

THE saying “there’s always room for improvement” is as relevant in the home as it is in many other areas in life. 

A house is likely to be a person’s biggest single investment, so it makes sense to make the most of living in it and, at the same time, adding value through professionally guided improvements or DIY repurposing.

Here “CityNews” showcases the goods and services of local experts who can help you achieve those objectives…

‘Beautiful’ furniture for the home

OWNER of Timberland Furniture Tony Purdy says he has a range of beautiful furniture that includes almost anything the home needs: bedding, dining suites, TV units, coffee tables, buffets and more.

Included is a range of Tasmanian Blackwood, says Tony, one of Australia’s most beautiful and sought after timbers.

Tony says the store is offering up to 50 per cent off selected floorstock. 

“It’s a clearance so I can get new stock in to show off,” he says.

“I have furniture that can adorn different rooms of the house, but you can’t beat Tasmanian Blackwood as far as I’m concerned.”

Tony says size is often an issue for clients, so whether it’s a TV unit, bookcase or buffet table, Timberland Furniture can custom-make furniture to fit the space.

“We customise the size of a particular piece to meet the customer’s requirements and they choose the timber,” he says.

Timberland Furniture, 100 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 7411, or visit timberlandfurniture.com

Bringing garden value to family and property

GARDEN designer and horticulturist, Joel Black says a well laid-out garden adds to the enjoyment and value of a property.

“But a well laid out garden doesn’t always need expensive landscaping,” he says.

“There is so much that can be achieved with good advice, well selected plants and a little know-how.

“I focus specifically on soft landscaping because it is so flexible and adaptable, and can be implemented right away.”

Joel says autumn and winter are the perfect times to revitalise a garden.

“It gives us time to design and plan before everything starts growing in the springtime,” he says.

“I do this work because I know how much pleasure a garden can bring to a home and a family.

“Whether you are setting up to teach the kids about growing vegetables, or you want to sit with your morning coffee watching the birds in the trees, or you just want to hide from the neighbours behind a beautiful wall of green.”

Joel says he has structured the business to allow him to help people, from a simple one-off consultation to a full property garden design.

“I can help with establishing and maintaining plants, too,” he says.

“Sometimes this last step is missed by garden designers and landscapers, leaving a beautiful plan, but a client that is overwhelmed and doesn’t know how to care for the plants that then struggle and die.”

Joel Black Horticulture and Garden Design. Call 0409 832056, or visit joelstidygardens.com.au

Time for ‘bright and colourful’ furniture

LEADING second-hand furniture store, Ex-Government Furniture, sees home improvements as a recent necessity “now that people spend a lot more time at home”, says co-owner James Fullerton.

He says the business, which has been operating for more than three decades, has become a well recognised part of Fyshwick offering a wide range of dining, comfort, outdoor tables and wall accessories for any home improver.

“We’ve got a range of small-size workstations and some very cool, bright and colourful designer chairs,” he says.

“We also have plenty of lounge chairs and a selection of art prints just for something different.”

James says Ex-Government Furniture is a staple of Fyshwick, with interesting items and objects spanning a wide variety of time periods, budgets and designer styles.

“There’s always new items coming through the door such as chairs, tables, bookcases and desks,” he says.

“We also have kitchen bins and bar fridges.”

“To make a house, a home, we provide furniture and accessories to help personalise any space. There’s a huge range and we can work with customers to their budget.

“We offer a range of quality and designer second-hand products, meaning that customers get the top Australian and global brands without breaking the bank.”

Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com

Home designs that make a healthy difference

REIMAGINED Habitat was opened in 2017 as a Passive House design business, says owner Michael Drage. Their aim is to “help people live in healthier, more energy efficient, sustainable homes,” he says.

“We incorporate energy efficient principles throughout the design process- without compromising on the aesthetic.

“We offer a complete interior and building design service for home improvements and new construction, with a team blend of experienced designers and graduates who bring fresh perspectives to the thinking and visualisation of our projects.

“This combination of experience and unbridled design thinking creates enviable results for our clients.”

Michael says most clients find the business because of its focus on energy efficiency, “but when the building is finished they mainly speak of how much they love being in their homes, how comfortable and warm they are.”

The company has soft-launched a collection of one and two-bedroom units that can be used as granny flats, Airbnb spaces or retreats. They have a range of designs, with some achieving the maximum 10 star-rating for Canberra, meaning they use virtually no energy for heating and cooling.

“I am amazed to receive such a positive response to our recently launched collection” Michael said.  

“It has been incredible. It really shows just how much people want to be in beautiful, comfortable spaces.”

Reimagined Habitat, 18 Creswell Street, Campbell. Call 0419 391282, or visit reimaginedhabitat.com.au

53 years of providing quality flooring

ENDEAVOUR Carpets offers the largest range of top-quality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien.

Established in 1970, and still a family run business, Endeavour will this year celebrate its 53rd anniversary.

“To celebrate, we have a sale running until the end of May on selected carpet ranges, including underlay upgrades,” she says.

Taylor says Endeavour has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, timber, laminate and hybrid flooring, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

She describes their Fyshwick-based showroom as Canberra’s “greatest floor show” with thousands of samples on display, and an experienced team of flooring specialists to make the customer’s experience as easy as possible.

“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send their customers to view our huge range of top-quality floor coverings,” she says.

“As a family business, Endeavour Carpets appreciates that customers are spoilt for choice in a competitive market place, and so maintain an objective to offer the best service and products available and for the best possible price.

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store.

“At Endeavour Carpets, we don’t just endeavour, we do.”

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132, or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au

Decades of architectural experience

AWARD-winning architects Maria Filardo and Can Ercan joined forces two years ago to create their boutique firm, Filardo Ercan Architects, located in Griffith. 

Renowned for their residential architecture, interior design, commercial and hospitality fitouts and heritage projects, Maria and Can’s combined expertise in architecture, interior design and heritage allows them to provide an experienced skill set and a holistic approach for clients. 

“We chose to be a small firm with a big impact so we can always provide a personal service to our clients,” says Maria.

“Our work has led us to projects outside Canberra. We’ve worked at Haig Park in Sydney, in Victoria and across regional NSW.

Maria has more than 20 years experience in architecture and is also a lecturer at CIT in building and interior design. 

Can has more than 25 years of experience in heritage conservation, having worked for NSW Heritage Office, ACT Heritage Unit as well as an associate and senior architect with leading firms in Canberra and Sydney.

“We complement each other, which lets our work stand out,” says Can.

“We have a mutual respect for each other which moves the business forward, and we are aligned in what we want to achieve in keeping our customers happy,” says Maria.

“We always aim to offer something different and better in every new project,” says Can. 

“We love what we do and the good relationship we have with our clients is reflected in the great end results we achieve,” says Maria.

Filardo Ercan Architects, visit feas.com.au or call Maria on 0421 342625 and Can on 0415 550801.

Kim’s passionate about improving homes

AS the owner of Renovation Matters, Kim Persson says her love of renovating has seen her take her passion from a hobby to a successful business.

With more than 40 renovations under her belt, she’s got the experience and know-how to transform homes to the best effect.

“I can help people who are thinking of downsizing, or renovate to add in shower rails or seats,” she says.

“Or we can renovate a family home to get people money when moving into the next chapter of their lives.”

Kim says she’s noticed a change in the current market.

“Times are changing and it’s important to strategise, to give your house an uplift, making sure the home is well presented,” she says.

“I’m hearing from some real estate agents that houses that are unrenovated or needing repairs are sitting on the market and not moving.

“It’s currently a buyer’s market rather than a seller’s market, so you have to be very strategic with the areas you renovate.”

Renovation Matters offers a “fix up, profit and pay later” process in which they can cover upfront renovation costs before settlement.

“If you’re struggling with tough times, or finding it harder to pay the mortgage, we can fund improvements until settlement,” she says.

“If we are needed to help a client, there’s nothing we can’t do to help make the renovation a stress-free experience.”

Renovation Matters, visit renovationmatters.com.au or call Kim on 0427 696662.

Knowledgeable staff with a range of natives

COOL Country Natives stocks the largest range of native Australian plants in the ACT and surrounds, says owner Karen Brien.

“Now that we’re in autumn it’s a great time to plant because the weather is cooling but the soil is still warm,” she says.

“Frost hardy plants will be easier to manage, and make it easier for watering.”

Her dedicated team of reliable and knowledgeable staff say they’re happy to talk to customers and help them with any queries.

“We go out of our way to help people find the right plant for the right spot; we’re attentive and we know what stock is in the nursery,” she says.

“We specialise in local species as well as hardy and cold-tolerant natives, and carry a large range of native plant varieties, ranging in size from tubestock to 200mm, plus a growing range of advanced stock.

“Shoppers can find groundcovers, grasses, ferns, climbers and small-to-large shrubs and trees.

“We know how it grows and what it requires. The team do their best to help our shoppers wherever they can.”

Cool Country Natives, 5A Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6257 6666, email retail@coolcountrynatives.com.au or visit coolcountrynatives.com.au