Not all high-flying real estate agents live in ultra-modern city monoliths without so much as a paperback out of place, but then Holly Komorowski isn’t your typical realtor.

Ms Komorowski has lived with her family on a stunning rural property just 20 minutes outside of Canberra for about 10 years now. 

Stepping inside, it’s clear this is a warm, understated, and family-oriented home – not exactly the image you might expect from one of the top-selling agents in the nation’s capital.

Moving to a large property was a case of necessity. Her blended family meant that, together with her partner, they had six kids under one roof. 

She loved their little former house in the city but having two sets of triple bunk beds simply wasn’t ideal nor practical. 

There was no design plan in place. The family were happy to just combine everything they bought with them from their old lives, resulting in the slightly quirky décor evident throughout their home. 

“I think it's an important part of the story of our house – the coming together of a blended family over the years,” Ms Komorowski said.

“So, we've got a pretty eclectic mix of furniture. There are a few family pieces from both sides that have all come together, so it's no one particular theme other than a mishmash.”

Holly's warm and welcoming homestead is packed full of personality. Picture: realestate.com.au

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A successful real estate agent specialising in the Mt Ainslie region, the desire to do things her own way led her to start her own business in 2016. 

Now, home.by holly, based in Dickson, has eight agents covering a good chunk of the Australian Capital Territory. Glancing at her website is enough to appreciate that Holly doesn’t fit the mould of the typical estate agent. 

The deliberate use of her first name is just the start. Subtle pink hues, a playful use of lower-case letters, and beautiful photography welcome potential buyers and sellers into the delightful world of home.by holly. 

Holly has built her agency into one of Canberra's best. Picture: Supplied

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Ms Komorowski isn’t interested in what she calls a “cookie-cutter approach” to property. Buying or selling a home can be an emotional experience.

She delves into the narratives behind properties, and the emotional attachment that people have to their homes, firmly believing this approach is what makes her agency so successful. 

That success has been quite astounding. A quick look at her realestate.com.au agent profile tells the story, with 46 five-star reviews. She has personally sold 105 properties in the past year, with an average sale price of $1.02 million. 

The family-friendly property is filled with an eclectic mix of furnishings. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Both the retro pieces scattered throughout her home and the innovative approach of her agency owe themselves, in part, to one unique Canberra property.

The story goes that Ms Komorowski was once tasked with selling a very quintessential red brick Canberra cottage. One room stood out – a shrine to the yesteryear, covered in brown and gold wallpaper and resembling a 1970s wonderland. 

“It was funny because it didn't really match the house. It was this room that was just a stand-out. I think most real estate agents probably walked into that house and see it as a potential knockdown or block of land. 

“I was like, wow, this is so cool. My experience sometimes with little quirks that you find in houses is that instead of trying to cover them up, I put them front and centre and then you really sort of weave the story around it.”

Ms Komorowski sold the property and had an epiphany about her future. The sale was a catalyst for going against the grain and shaped the direction she went in when starting her own agency. 

“I think it was a perfect example in every single way – the way we marketed it, the way we took photos, the way we utilised the narrative, the way we do a PR campaign.”

Holly and her partner moved with their blended family to the home about 10 years ago. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Holly admits that the quaint property she gets to call home probably needs some work. There have been some changes, including an extension and converting a large dining room into two bedrooms. 

But mostly, the family has lived with what they found when they moved in. 

“What I love about this house is there's a lot of originality. It's got the original bathroom, it's got the original kitchen. So, they're not modern. They're just authentic.” 

The rural setting on Canberra's outskirts is picturesque and peaceful. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Holly has a few favourites, like the huge dining table, which was the first piece of furniture they had bought together as a family and has been the hub of the busy household ever since. 

The intimate living room with its central fireplace is filled with unique pieces she has found and fallen in love with. 

Layer on the picturesque views, the garden, and an orchard that bring warmth, colour, and light every spring, and it is little wonder that Ms Komorowski is happy with things just the way they are. 

But never say never. 

One day when the kids have “stopped ruining it”, she may make some bigger changes – and say goodbye to her federation green and salmon-coloured bathroom.