Here “CityNews” showcases the goods and services of local experts who can help to improve a home.

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…

Canberra’s trusted repaint specialists

WHAT the team at C&C Painting Group love most about their work is transforming their clients’ homes and other spaces into something they love and can really enjoy for years to come, says co-owner Tanya Chamberlain.

“Having years of local industry experience, C&C Painting’s four owners saw an opportunity in 2018 to bring their vast range of skills and experience together to provide a top-quality painting and decorating service that clients could trust,” she says.

“We got together to start our own business adventure, and it has grown so much since then, with every member of our team contributing different input and skills to create the very best experience.”

Tanya says C&C Painting offers full interior and exterior home repaints, commercial painting, strata complex repaints, government painting services and can also manage some other renovation needs, “for your convenience”, including roofing, render and plaster repairs.

“We believe that we have the perfect mix of experience and knowledge combined with a modern flair, which means we are up to date with current trends and best practices,” she says.

“Nothing is too hard for us. We are very particular about leaving the house clean, tidy and a job well done. We understand that people may be living in their home while we work, or they might be off-site and trust us to be in their homes.”

C&C Painting Group, 1b/GF 118 Lysaght Street, Mitchell. Call 6221 3466, or visit ccpaintinggroup.com.au

Bedding built to suit every body

THE Australian Bedding Company is a family-owned business that has operated for 25 years, says office manager Stephen Dinn.

“We have more than 35 beds and bedroom suites on display in our showroom,” he says.

“We truly offer ‘old fashioned service’ where your personal needs are catered for.

“We match your beds and furniture to your requirements. Our highly trained sales staff have time to spend with you and really find out what you want.”

Retail store manager Raj D’Silva says they are getting ready for a massive end of financial year sale.

“The Australian Bedding Company showroom is overflowing with options to improve the home with a brand new bed,” says Raj.

“We’re offering discounts on already discounted prices, all of our showroom floor and warehouse stock will be up to 25 per cent off, valid until June 30.

“We have everything from water beds to full bedroom suites.”

Stephen says the company sources a high percentage of Australian-made products.

“We have our own delivery drivers, so quick delivery of stock items can be achieved by staff, not contractors,” he says.

The Australian Bedding Company, 2/78 Hoskins Street, Mitchell. Call 6262 3260, or visit australianbeddingcompany.com.au

‘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 Tasmanian Blackwood furniture offer is being sold at “really good prices”.

“There is clearance stock on tables, buffets, coffee tables and TV units, from 20 per cent to 50 per cent off.”

“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

Flooring options to keep the home cosy

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.

Taylor says the business has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, bamboo, timber, laminate, cork floating floors, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

Taylor 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 member of the Independent Carpets group, Taylor says it means Endeavour Carpets can offer customers greater choice and the best available prices.

“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,” she says.   

When customers visit Endeavour Carpets, Taylor says they experience a good, old-fashioned service from a long-standing, local family business. 

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” she says.

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

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132, or visit endeavourcarpets.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 and comfort options, as well as outdoor tables and wall accessories for any home improver.

Co-owner Taylor Radnell says every day is a sale day.

“We have electronic standing desks, mesh back ergonomic chairs and ample storage options,” he says.

“With ongoing shipments, we are inundated with new items, and they are one-off, unique pieces of high end furniture.”

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.

“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.

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

Furniture with a focus on detail

EBSWORTH Upholstery is well known for quality furniture restorations, says office manager Robyn Ebsworth.

Owned and operated by her husband Mark, “a skilled upholsterer with more than 20 years of experience”, Robyn says they’ve been delivering a range of furniture upholstery services to the Canberra and Queanbeyan regions since 2017.

“What is less known is that together with The Art of Frippery we also offer a range of soft furnishings. These can be purchased from our retail space at Dirty Janes Canberra or custom ordered from our workshop in Beard,” she says.

“Soft furnishings are one of the quickest and easiest ways to give your home a refresh and add finishing touches. Cushions, throws and rugs can add a lot of warmth and comfort to your home particularly in the winter months and are a great way to add colour and textures to your home.

“Lampshades are a brilliant way to incorporate art and colour in a room. We have had increased interest in our lampshade-making services and have decided to share our creative skills by offering lampshade making workshops. 

“Starting from the end of June, small group workshops will be delivered at Dirty Janes. Two classes will be offered, to make a lampshade or a small table lamp. All materials and tools are provided, and you will get to enjoy a yummy morning or afternoon tea from Salters new café opening soon.”

Ebsworth Upholstery, 4/1 Alumina Street, Beard. Call 0434 982708, or visit ebsworthupholstery.com.au 

The Art of Frippery, Dirty Janes Canberra, 80 Collie Street, Fyshwick. Visit theartoffrippery.com.au

Decades of flooring and window experience

CARPET One and CBI Blinds & Awnings, located in Mitchell, have been serving the Canberra community for more than 20 years, says co-owner Leonie Gann.

“Our experienced team is well-equipped to assist customers with various flooring needs, from carpets, timbers, laminates and vinyl planks,” she says.

“Under the same roof is our window furnishings store CBI Blinds & Awnings, offering a huge range of window treatments, including roller blinds, romans, verticals, shutters, Verishades and curtains, and specialises in Ziptraks, Oztech retractable roof systems and outdoor awnings and shutters.”

Leonie, along with her partner Paul, run the family business and boast a team with more than 75 years of combined experience.

“Our expertise ensures that customers receive knowledgeable assistance in selecting the right products and addressing any specific installation requirements,” she says.

“Carpet One provides free design consults and on-site measures, allowing us to identify and discuss any potential issues during the design process. “Our in-house magazine serves as a visual guide, aiding customers in finding the perfect style for their homes.”

Leonie says the team at Carpet One strive to match the products in their showroom with customers’ specific goals and preferences.

“Carpet One offers tailored package deals that provide customers with the opportunity to save on their flooring and window treatment purchases. These package deals are designed to offer cost-effective solutions while meeting customers’ requirements.”

Carpet One, 141 Flemington Road, Mitchell. Call 6241 5666 or visit carpetone.com.au/mitchell or cbiblinds.com.au

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.

Kim says 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 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.

“We can renovate to sell, or to add functionality so you can stay at home more comfortably.”

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.

Stressless furniture celebrates 30 years

TONY Ayres, manager of Sears Morton, says they have been offering their Norwegian Stressless range for 30 years in Canberra.

“The range offers recliners, lounges and even reclining dining chairs, and is on the upper end of the comfort market, so we’re having a 20 per cent off Stressless furniture sale,” he says.

“We’ve had most of our business through referrals, so by celebrating all year long we’re thanking those who have bought from us, and welcoming any new customers to come and check it out.

“The Stressless range is Australian chiropractor endorsed, and is modern, Scandic looking which never goes out of style.”

Tony prides himself on his customer service.

“We’re quite passionate about the product, and we have a good team who can answer all your questions,” he says.

“I’ve had feedback where people say they appreciate old-fashioned, personal customer service.

“I realise the importance of helping people to find the right furniture.”

Sears Morton, 167 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 5587, or visit searsmorton.com.au

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.

“We have new stock of locally grown Wollemi from the National Arboretum now which is exciting,” she says.

“But we get new stock every week, and we offer drought and frost-hardy plants for your home garden.

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

Karen’s 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.

“Please come and talk with us for advice. We have plenty of tubestock and farm trees, and we know how it grows and what it requires. The team do their best to help our shoppers wherever they can.”

Karen says people should know their opening hours will change from May 29, in preparation for winter.

“Our winter trading hours change from 8.30am to 10am on weekends.”

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