Notebook

A curated dose of creativity, community, and vintage style.

Each month, we shine a light on a local maker, mover, or doer doing incredible things in our neighbourhood — the people who are shaping Canberra in their own unique and inspiring way.

This month, our very own Ash takes us inside Canberra Garms, Braddon’s freshest vintage fashion destination. 🎥

👇 Watch the story unfold here:

From Side Hustle to Streetwear Staple

What started as a simple Depop side hustle has grown into something seriously special. Canberra Garms was founded by five 19-year-old friends — Gaby, Tom, Amaru, Aiden, and Finn — who turned their passion for vintage fashion into a thriving storefront on Lonsdale Street.

Their curated collection pays homage to the iconic looks of the ‘90s and early 2000s, spotlighting standout pieces from brands like Nike, Adidas, and Juicy Couture.

— A vibrant village in the heart of Canberra, full of colour, character, and creative soul.

There’s a hum to Braddon — a quiet buzz that rolls through the leafy streets and drifts from the cafes each morning. It’s more than the aroma of locally roasted coffee or the clang of cocktail glasses at dusk — it’s a feeling. A sense of connection. Of belonging. Of place.

In Braddon, lifestyle leads the way. This is where Canberra comes to life. Lonsdale Street, the suburb’s beating heart, pulses with creativity — from independent boutiques and pop-up galleries to beloved bakeries, stylish bars, and design-led eateries. It’s urban but unpretentious. Fast-paced but never rushed. A neighbourhood built on expression, diversity, and community — this is the Braddon lifestyle.

And just beyond the buzz, nestled into quiet corners of this vibrant precinct, are two homes that reflect exactly what it means to live in Braddon, not just near it.

Asian style roast chicken

This recipe was provided by Cris from the hbh team!

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 1.5kg whole chicken
• Half a lemon
• Half an onion
• 3 tbsp honey

Marinade:

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp dark sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp finely grated ginger
• 3 garlic cloves – crushed
• 1 tsp Chinese Five-Spice

Method:

1. Preheat oven 180°C/356°F.
2. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel and put aside.
3. Combine soy sauce, sweet dark soy sauce, ginger, garlic and Chinese 5 spice in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss well to coat. Allow to marinate at least 10 minutes or overnight.
4. Remove chicken from marinade, reserve marinade for later.
5. Place lemon and onion pieces into the chicken cavity. Use kitchen twine to tie legs together. Place chicken on a roasting rack, sitting in roasting tray lined with foil, this will stop marinade burning on base of tray.

Whether you’re a local moving to a new neighbourhood or are a newbie to this beautiful city, let’s make your move as pleasant as discovering a hidden café in Braddon or catching the first light atop Mount Ainslie.

There’s something special about stepping into a new home—fresh spaces, new routines, and endless possibilities to make it your own. There’s also a lot to think about and plan—which comes with a lot of headaches and stress. Well, let’s put you at ease. For all of you who just started looking at properties, or are feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of packing and booking the right removalists, here’s a personalised guide to settling into your new home with ease and style.

Picture your new Canberra lifestyle

Why not immerse yourself in the local vibe before making it permanent? Wander the streets, explore nearby activities and amenities and speak to locals before you buy your new home in Canberra—offering charming stays in neighbourhoods like Kingston or Yarralumla.

Thanks to AirBnb, you can now picture yourself living in one of these gorgeous properties – literally. So pack your bags and say goodbye to sitting on the fence.

Stay in the centre of attention 

Get a taste for your new life of style, comfort and ease in this bright and airy apartment situated in the centre of everything. 33/15 Braybrooke Street, Bruce has all the qualities of a stand-alone home with an enormous balcony, internal laundry, large bedroom and open plan living area. You’ll want to whip out the tape measure on the balcony as you’ll be torn between an outdoor dining table or luxury cain suite. I can just imagine myself here cuddling up with a waffle throw, Sally Rooney book and a glass of red wine on a Friday night. 

So fresh, so clean (and tidy)

Like the great Outkast song, this apartment is the epitome of so fresh and so clean.

Approaching 27 Musgrave Street, Yarralumla, it’s difficult to imagine that previously the site contained a 1950s red brick, single storey duplex. Today, the striking appearance of the structure provides little indication of its previous iteration. It’s very clear that the entire site has been completely transformed.

Delving into its history, I learned that Canberra architect, Phillip Leeson, was called upon to reimagine and design the Musgrave House. The brief called for a simple, private, and uncluttered house that masterfully utilises natural light – a stark contrast to the property’s roots.

Phillip said that prior to its resurrection, the original house received virtually no sunlight, except for early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Now, all living areas face due north, maximising penetration of the winter sun and craftily dampening Canberra’s intense summer.

Expertly constructed by Sutton and Horsley, the home’s structure is boldly expressed as two, sculpted elements connected by a timber-lined link.

We are super excited to announce that our little real estate business has won big at the recent Real Estate Awards.

home.byholly comes home with just a few trophies —

REIACT Medium Residential Agency of the Year
REIACT Auctioneer Franchise of the Year
REIACT Novice Auctioneer of the Year
REIA National Awards for Excellence Achievement Award

It is such a nice feeling to be acknowledged by our peers!

“From the beginning, hbh set out to do things differently, so to be rewarded by the people who work within the industry is very gratifying. It inspires all of us here at hbh…to stay true to our mission; connecting people with homes and community in innovative ways and most of all, to work from the heart.” Holly

Judged by industry members, the REI awards go deep — prowling the process, innovation, hard work and philosophy behind the stats.

We all know the saying ‘home is where the heart is’—and for most of us ‘home’ means our house. However, in Holly Komorowski’s case, that saying rings true for a much broader definition.

Since launching six years ago, Holly and her team of 19 staff provided real estate services to Canberra and the region from their office in Braddon; originally a house, it was repurposed into a cosy working space filled with classic mid-century-inspired furniture. Instead of exuding a corporate style, the living space, separated rooms and the kitchen were very homely and made visitors feel at ease—as if they were seeing friends to discuss their property needs. This type of warm experience reflected the agency team’s genuine personal connections with their clients, giving home by holly a real point of difference.

But by the end of 2021, Holly’s team had outgrown its home and needed to find a new place to call ‘office’.

As far as team-bonding office perks go, Friday night drinks are a bit blasé. Fruit bowls and hampers are so last decade. And no one really needs a foosball table in their communal area.

But well considered, desirable, effective initiatives that not only keep staff happy but also healthy are proving to be a winning strategy for home.byholly.

Founder Holly Komorowski is known for her love of fitness, never shying away from a physical challenge or a competitive pursuit. So when it came to devising a program of staff bonding, her passion led the way.

Five years ago, Holly began offering her team optional team building CrossFit classes at the CrossFit2600 gym in Kingston. “It was important to show my team that you need to step away from the desk, turn off the phone, and embrace your competitive spirit!” she laughed.