Two of Ainslie’s most unique homes are now on the market

Posted on 21 July, 2023

Most people tend to agree that when it comes to naming the most important things in life, family is often right at the top.

Whether our families are large or small, the bond we feel with family members is unique. Not only does it give us a sense of place and security, but it also challenges us and push us to achieve great things.

When I met Kate and John Gumley on a July morning outside of their dual occupancy townhouses in Ainslie’s leafy Hoddle Gardens, they explained that the homes were designed with Kate’s sister Gina Carmody of CarmodybyDesign and built under their eight-year-old business, Gumley Building Group. The two townhouses were designed to provide intergenerational living for the two families—and now, both townhouses are for sale through home.by holly, with auctions on 12 August.

Considering how stunning the properties and their landscaping looked from the street, I couldn’t wait to go in and explore further. John and their son Jack, who now leads the business, built the homes as forever homes and moved in about three years ago. The left one was for John and Kate and the right side for Jack, his wife Mel and their young family. The homes have the kind of aesthetic similarity siblings would, but these are certainly not twins. There are functional differences that will suit people at different stages of life and with different life needs.

Both homes strike a perfect balance of modern appeal with a mixture of contrasting white brickwork and dark wood, while ensuring that they complement the heritage and style of one of Canberra’s most iconic inner north suburbs. There are no massive monoliths, large awnings or aggressive sharp angles, just Mid-Century-inspired calm and tasteful features that work in sync with well-established gardens and enough greenery to make any keen gardener excited.

Noting that we are seeing this home in the middle of winter, I’m sure we can all imagine how the well-planned nature around the home will change with the seasons and show of the four distinctive chapters we have here in Canberra.

The home in which Kate and John live has a Sydney terrace-style entrance, which includes not only a place to take off your coat and kick off the shoes but, more importantly, a built-in bar and fridge to welcome you home. In the same area is a glass-panelled internal lift that has enough space for a wheelchair and a carer for those with mobility needs. Even though Kate and John usually take the stairs to the upper level themselves, Jack’s 50kg puffy white Maremma dog regularly takes it down. Clearly dogs know what’s good in life and I would be very happy to take his lead—just imagine how easy moving in would be using that lift!

On the left of the entry corridor is the downstairs bathroom—again with appropriate size and railing for mobility access—and after it, a spacious lounge area that overlooks the internal courtyard plunge pool. Two walls of this lounge open right up—perfect for coaxing a summer breeze through the house and over the winter months, the pool acts as a calming water feature that gives you the kind of zen you’d get from an upmarket resort. Speaking of resort, the wall of the void over the lounge area is filled with plants that cascade  green foliage, bringing a calm, healthy atmosphere and beautiful visual appeal.

From there, we travelled down a bright corridor that felt like a gallery walkway and ended up in the master bedroom. A spacious place with a wooden-battened wall on one side, reminiscent of Japanese design, and, of course, a view of the plunge pool on the other. Being someone that appreciates the way materials feel, I couldn’t help myself and started to run my hands over the wall until I came to what looked like a tiny break in the carpentry.

I heard Kate say ‘Ah, he found it…go on, give it a push!’, so I did, and a door opened to reveal a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite with a full-size bath. Finally knowing what Lara Croft would feel like in Tomb Raider, I was really taken with such a cool trick to hide a room and add interest to interior design.

On the second level, the home presented a central kitchen, a separate dining area and a large lounge on the other. At the back of the kitchen is a study that gives enough separation from these spaces without being completely removed from others. This space has large windows on one side, light boxes and a stunning north-facing balcony (that even has in-floor heating). This elevated space really makes the most of Ainslie views over the quiet Hoddle Gardens Park.

Kate is one of eight kids, and when the family and all their extensions come over, there is plenty of space for everyone to fit in. Remembering that bar downstairs, I can see why guests would extend their stay too.

The home in which Jack and Mel live has the same level of quality when it comes to design, furnishings, and facilities—though rather than having a bar and a lift, it has more space dedicated to a growing family.

There’s a larger corridor (ready to fit the same lift as in Kate and John’s place), three bedrooms, more grass space in the side and backyard, a shady courtyard, and a reconfiguration of the upstairs space to ensure parents can keep one eye on the kids in the large open kitchen, dining and living area. A slightly separated study nook also covers work-from-home needs on the same floor.

The light boxes that are positioned at the sides of the living space (with their impeccable custom wooden panelling) are a workaround what is a usual ‘long box with windows at the ends’ apartment issue. They not only let in light but also maintaining privacy without the need for window coverings while luxe bathrooms with generous baths and a skylight over the shower offer creature comfort.

This space is a perfect fit for those with children, but really it is a space highly customisable to any living lifestyle configuration—as long as you like plenty of space.

Both homes are drenched in northern sun and have a 6+-star energy rating, so are toasty all the way through winter and cool in summer. And speaking of summer, it’s worth me pointing out an interesting detail—the black timber used on the external cladding is not painted black but is actually charred Japanese timber. Not only does it not fade, but it has excellent fire resistance rating—probably because it has been there and done that and built up resilience in the process.

The reason the homes are now for sale is because Kate, John, Jack and Mel, have found a perfect slice of land next to Kate’s sister, Gina, where they plan to build a new home and having the family even closer together was too good an opportunity to pass up.

The opportunity the Gumley’s decision offers is for another family to buy into this beautiful multigenerational solution, where a family can have parents and children living side by side (the fence in between can easily be removed) or for the townhouses to stay as two separate homes for those who love the location and exceptional living comfort, with the option for these homes to grow and change with lifestyle needs.

The love of family that has driven Kate, John, Jack and Mel to excel and create these stunning homes can now become a home for other connected families, or separate ones. A great example of how rethinking a classic block can offer new ways to enrich and deepen our family connections. Either way, they will be there for the thing we all find the most important in life.

Photography: Adam McGrath