Silvervale blossoms: Murrumbateman property reborn as a modern country masterpiece

For the past seven years, Karen Whitcombe has poured her love and creative vision into Silvervale – reimagining the Murrumbateman property into a haven of rural elegance.

Set on 40 acres just minutes from Murrumbateman Village and a short commute to Canberra, 2775 Barton Highway has been transformed into a modern-day country homestead with a full interior and exterior renovation, swimming pool, tennis court – and even a cut flower enterprise.

“I bought the place seven years ago,” Karen said. “I’m an interior designer by trade so what appealed to me was an ability to add my own touch to the property and also the beautiful established trees and gardens that were already there, which I’ve only improved upon.

“It feels like your own private sanctuary when you’re there, but it’s so close to all the amenities it just makes it so easy to live there.”

In an uncanny twist while considering the purchase, Karen learnt that the property was originally built by her son-in-law’s grandparents.

“I had no idea when I was looking at buying it, but the original cottage was built by my son-in-law’s grandparents. His mother lived there until she was about 15 and his grandmother’s name was Sylvia, so that’s why the property is called Silvervale.

“It was almost like it was meant to be.”

With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the homestead offers a 308sqm floorplan and multiple living areas, as well as a secondary, self-contained master suite with a separate living area, kitchenette, ensuite with spa bath, and private patio.

Karen has sympathetically improved the estate, melding modern comforts with timeless country character. The full overhaul includes new European oak flooring, carpets, fresh paint, lighting, solar power and a new roof, fascia and gutters, as well as refreshed alfresco areas.

“The house is completely different to when I bought it. There’s nothing that hasn’t been touched. Everything has been done and improved upon,” Karen said.

Additional features include an underground cellar and cool room, heated saltwater swimming pool and full-sized tennis court.

Outside, the grounds include a formal rose garden, established cut-flower enterprise Wildblooms Farm, a productive orchard, vegetable beds, a greenhouse, chicken run, stables and an aircraft hangar and airstrip.

“In 2021, I started growing flowers on the property,” she said.

“I knew I wanted to grow something because it’s such beautiful, rich, fertile land and it’s so accessible. After a number of years of oats and wheat the pasture improved. At first, I cordoned off an area to dedicate to growing flowers, and since then, I’ve dedicated another area to growing dahlias, so I have thousands of dahlias growing.”

Windrose Property Principal Sam McGregor said Karen’s vision for Silvervale had effectively taken an ordinary property to new heights.

“It was built in the 1960s. It now has all the feel of a country home, but in a very modern way,” Sam said.

“As well as the lifestyle, it has income producing prospects because you could certainly have a paddock-to-plate kind of farm. It has a large veggie garden, in which you could produce more than you would use yourself.

“The flower garden is significant and has been used as an enterprise. Like you have a cellar door for wine, there’s scope to sell flowers from the farm for events and weddings which are obviously very popular in the region.

“The flowers and infrastructure are a big part of the sale because it could be used for just about anything you want. The level and quality of infrastructure there opens your mind to whatever sort of opportunities you’d want in terms of a lifestyle business.”

While Karen said Silvervale had held some wonderful life memories, she is now setting her sights on another renovation project closer to Canberra.

“I just can’t help myself – it’s the interior designer creative in me – so I’m on the lookout,” Karen said.

“Silvervale has just brought me so much joy. It’s the memories that I’ll take with me of all the wonderful times – the big family Christmases, long lazy lunches, poolside barbecues, even card nights by the fire with friends.

“I will miss the beautiful golden light in the afternoon and the joy of wandering through the beautiful flower beds, and more, just the deep sense of peace it’s given me to be there.

“I feel really, really blessed and deeply grateful to have been able to call Silvervale home for the last seven years – it’s been an absolute joy.”

Sam McGregor, from Windrose Property, is taking offers on 2775 Barton Highway, Murrumbateman.