No obvious beginning or end and no sharp corners or edges.

It is this sense of oneness that has been woven through one Southern Highlands property about to become a public showcase for a very special celebration.

Circles are a theme throughout Eugenie Lodge, now known as Beatrice Park, in Bowral.

Located on the corner of Bendooley Street and Kangaloon Road, Bowral, this property will celebrate its 60^th anniversary since winning a coveted gardening award. The garden took out top honour for Best Open Garden in the Bowral Festival of Flowers competition once held in the Southern Highlands.

The prize went to property owner at the time Mrs L E Whittle in the category of part-time gardener. The competition coincided with the Tulip Time Festival.

As a celebration of this time in history, current property owners Justin Hutchinson and John Bowers are set to open the grounds to the public for the diamond anniversary celebration.

Aligned with the theme that runs through the property it would be fair to say that the glory days have come full circle as the property once more shines for all to enjoy.

As one who has recently taken a tour of the home and its grounds, I can safely say that a visit to the property now best-known as Beatrice Park is a treat for the senses and the soul.

I keep referencing the circle theme on this property, and for good reason. It is difficult not to note the gentle connectivity of the built and natural features - like the gentle curve of a circle with no beginning and no end.

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Beatrice Park and the neighbouring Yarrabin (on Kangaloon Road) were both subdivided off a much larger property owned by Barbara Bruce Smith some time between 1915 and 1949.

The vacant lot, now known as Beatrice Park, was sold to Rose Faigen, wife of Samuel Faigen of Dover Heights in Sydney (the founder of Faigen and Sons) in February 1949. The intention was to build a weekend retreat.

The Faigens, originally from Poland, had in 20 years built their business from a single market stall into the largest manufacturer of handbags in the Commonwealth. They supplied major department stores and a chain of Faigen branded boutiques.

The Bowral home was a reflection of their material success.

The Faigen's commissioned Aaron Bolot, a fellow worshiper at Temple Emmanuel in Woollahra to design the residence. Following council approval, construction began on the residence in September 1949.

Builder, grazier and racing identity Harry Gladstone Whittle was the next owner purchasing the property in May 1955.

Under the Whittle family, the Eugenie Lodge garden (as it was then known) flourished. It won best garden in both 1960 and 1961 in the annual Bowral Flower Festival held in October each year.

Under the ownership of the Whittle family the garden was opened each year to the public.

Justin remembers those open gardens with fondness reflecting on his days as a child when "as a little boy with my mum, we traveled down by steam train to see Eugenie Lodge as it was then."

He also recalls his first visit when he stood in the driveway at the front western corner of the house and looked out across the stunning grounds.

"My mother was holding my hand and and as we turned the corner she said 'son, look up at the the trees. This is a GARDEN! ...Gardens are defined by trees."

The property passed through several other owners from 1973 to July 1993 when it was purchased by John Robert and Lottie Beatrice Dempsey, and brothers Frank and Justin Hutchinson. At the same time it was renamed Beatrice Park.

Justin Hutchinson and John Bower took over as joint owners of the title in 2006. Justin was a godson and nephew of the Dempseys.

Upon taking ownership Justin and John set about restoring the home to all its glory. The original detail and gentle flow of the built and natural features of the property were at the forefront of all work.

The sense of continuity and circular flow from the indoors to the outdoors was enhanced.

The two men embraced the original design which incorporates floor to ceiling windows that draw the stunning outdoors into every room in the house. Those same windows also provide a spectacular garden view from every point.

They expanded on the circle theme infused into many features throughout the home and garden providing a constant reminder of the complete connectivity of this property. They maintained the original circles in the metal work on hand rails, in a structural outcrop at the front entrance, and a wall with several porthole windows at the edge of an entertainment deck,

There is even an original porthole window looking out to the garden from the ensuite shower while a circular return at the end of the long main driveway continues the theme into the garden.

They added to the theme with a curved glass roof over several outdoor areas complete with circle detail on the edges. The enlisted the talents of a renowned glass craftsman Rick Allen who has worked on churches and significant public buildings around the country.

And the gentle curves of the various 'garden rooms' across the property continue to reflect the sense of connectivity.

There was a wonderful surprise for the two men during the refurbishment of the property. This came in the form of murals on several walls.

John fondly remembers a call from the painter while the two men were traveling overseas.

He said the removal of wall paper in the main living room and entrance had revealed the murals.

John said the painter had called to ask what to do with them.

Without hesitation, John and Justin, urged for the murals to become a permanent feature on the walls.

While John said he was not sure who was the artist behind the artworks he said he suspected they had dated back to the original property owners.

Original features continue throughout the home and garden from the tiles, ceramic spout over the bath, and towel rails in the bathrooms, to light fittings in several rooms and the timber flooring revealed after carpet was removed.

That timber flooring is enhanced as parquetry in one area they call the music room. The two men believe this room may once have been used as a dance floor.

The garage has also been transformed into guest accommodation with original timber beams creating an impressive feature to the space while carefully crafted stonework curves around the outside of the building. One of the stones has a date engraved in it - a tribute to the passing of on of Justin's aunts who would watch and chat with the stonemason as he worked.

And in a further tip of the hat to a bygone era there is even a gate house at the Bendooley Street driveway entrance to the property. Even it has a porthole window - continuing the circular theme.

Meanwhile the landing outside the southern side of the gatehouse leads into a beautifully shaded area featuring several birds nest plants. Justin refers to this as 'the sisters' garden'.

Ensuring the appeal of the garden has been an ongoing project. There have been some new plantings over the years but many are original including many of the established trees, the camellias and a magnolia with white flowers. The old and new are melded in a continued tribute to that circular theme where there seems to be no beginning or end.

A favourite feature of mine is the knotted trunk of a wisteria, believed to have been planted by the original property owners, which weaves through a section of the pergola on the north side of the home.

During my recent visit to the property the flower buds were starting to sprout on the branches. By the time of the open gardens in October this detail will no doubt be a spectacular floral showcase.

The community will have the chance to soak up the appeal of the grounds of this property each weekend throughout October (except October 17).

Justin said his intention was for the garden to be open on weekends from 11am to 3pm.

He said that someone would be at the gate entrance during this period to monitor the number of people visiting at any one time and the bottom gate to the property would be closed.

The number of people on the property will be limited to 30 plus a few volunteers at any time.

Entertainment from local performers will also be provided at various times throughout the open garden period.

Cost of entry is $5 for individuals and $10 for families with funds raised to be donated to the Australian Garden History Society.

Justin said he was also hoping to be able to provide visitors with the option for a cup of tea, coffee or cordial and a biscuit.

"Just like all those years ago when, as a little boy with my mum, we traveled down by steam train to see Eugenie Lodge as it was then," he said.

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