From the busy streets of Melbourne, Australia to the hustle and bustle of Calgary, it didn’t take long for this young, metropolitan couple to start their new lives in Canada and discover that where you rest your head is where your heart truly lies.

A financial controller with Worley Parsons, Christian was transferred to Calgary in November 2006. However, it wasn’t until Sally arrived in January they began their search for a new home.

Determined to find a condo in either Kensington or 17 Avenue S.W., Sally set out with a realtor to look at a few listings. Four or five condos into the search she discovered the third-floor corner unit they now call home.

“The funny thing was we had actually come down to 17 Avenue on the weekend before that to have a look around and saw this (building) without even knowing a condo was for sale. We knew it was the kind of building we would like to live in,” she says.

Three days later the papers were signed and Sally and Christian were ready to move in. The asking price for the unit was $421,000.

Built in November 2005, the condo sits in lower Mount Royal with a fabulous view of 17 Avenue and downtown Calgary. The couple’s corner unit is illuminated by the natural light pouring in through its floor to ceiling windows, basking in both morning sun and the evening’s moonlight.

“The thing we both loved about it and the thing everybody loves when they walk in is the view. Even though the (condo) is small the view makes it seem bigger. We’ve got the whole of Calgary right outside,” says Sally.

At just under 1,000-square-feet, the two-bedroom condo is painted light brown with a brilliant red feature wall in the living room. It boasts two full baths, two walk-in closets, ample storage, in-suite washer and dryer, dishwasher, and a patio.

The only changes Sally and Christian made to the space were replacing the light fixtures in both bedrooms with antique-style chandeliers.

“The place had originally been decorated shabby chic but I thought it was too modern with its dark hardwood floor and clever design. It needed to look edgier,” adds Sally. “I was excited about decorating the space. I knew it was a blank canvas.”

Working in human resources for Total E%26P Canada, her passion is painting with acrylics. The condo’s blank canvas quickly became Sally’s art studio when she created five original works to bring colour and life to the condo. She’s even dabbled in photography, framing two pictures she took of the unit from different angles.

“I liked the quirkiness of it; having pictures of your house in your own house. People look at them and don’t see what it is.”

It was Sally’s artistic eye and vision that convinced Christian they made the right decision.
“We have completely different ways of looking at things,” he says. “Sally’s more artistic and I’m practical. When we find something we both like that means it’s the best of both worlds. This place had everything we wanted; the view, two bedrooms across the house from each other, it feels like its spacious even though it’s not that big, and we can both walk to work.”

Working and playing in Calgary’s downtown, the couple loves to come home and spend evenings in the living room; their favourite room in the house.

“It’s so cosy. Our shag rug and couch are the most comfortable things in the world,” says Sally. “At the end of the day we push the (ottoman) up to the couch and we can both lie down and watch DVDs. We can see people walking by in our sanctuary away from the world.

“I love the house, I think it’s perfect.” CL