By Bryna Howes <a href="http://www.houzz.com.au" target="_blank">Houzz</a>
Take a tour around our great cities and the homes that do them proud.
Perth
It's no secret that to live in Western Australia you are going to need to like hot, hot weather – or you are going to need a house that accommodates the weather.
In this particular case, a renovated Cottesloe cottage, you have both. The owners renovated the place with the idea of creating an alfresco dining area that could withstand the Perth heat. On the inside, cool white floors and open windows add to the effect. And when all else fails, you can just jump in the plunge pool.
A renovated Cottesloe cottage in Perth - Discover contemporary living room design inspiration.Credit: D-Max Photography
Sydney
Any Aussie who has visited or lived in Sydney is familiar with the breathtaking views of Sydney harbour – but not many people get to experience them firsthand, every morning, as the homeowners of this Darling Point flat do.
So, what sold them on the flat? The answer is obvious: the oversized terrace that looks out onto Rushcutters Bay and beyond.
From there, it was just a matter of fitting it out in a way that would make living in Sydney and dealing with the humid temperatures it often experiences more 'breezy'. Mission: accomplished.
Check out the rest of this apartment
Melbourne
If you like your home the way you like Australia – a healthy mix of traditional and modern features – take a tour around this 1880s weatherboard home in south-west Melbourne.
While the exterior is a perfect example of traditional Melbourne homes – and exactly what we know and love about the city – the interior perfectly balances contemporary decor with traditional fixtures and fittings.
And that's what the owners had in mind when they enlisted their interior decorator; they wanted "to restore it back to its former glory" but stick to a "contemporary classic" feel.
Check out the full Houzz Tour here
Hobart
Located in Dynnyrne, on the outskirts of Hobart, this house is surrounded by the flora and fauna that Tasmania is known for, yet it sits just five minutes (by car) from the city.
And that's not the only place this house finds balance. According to the architects, the single-level timber building responds quickly to heating and cooling, which makes it well-suited to Tasmania's temperate climate.
Take a closer look at this stunning Hobart house
Darwin
Darwin is known for plenty of things, including its lush tropical setting, brilliant sunsets and balmy weather. Here is a house that has been built around those three things.
To be more specific, this house doesn't feel like it has been 'planted' in the middle of the rainforest. Rather, it has settled in to its surrounds almost as if it was meant to be there. The open-air vibe only adds to the tropical effect.
See more photos of this house, including a stunning sunset, here.
Brisbane
Ah, the traditional Queenslander. So named because of its ability to weather Queensland's, well, weather, this style has stood the test of time and made its way into the history books.
A tour of this particular Brisbane house shows how to mix history with modernity. While the essential Queenslander elements – a breezy verandah, timber floors, part-enclosed rooms – are all there, this home feels truly contemporary.
See the full project
Canberra
Canberra is known as the 'bush capital' for a reason: the many, many leafy trees that are found in and around the suburbs. (It is even rumoured that every house built in Canberra's founding years was required to have at least one tree on its front lawn.)
In fact, a love affair with leafy streets is what brought the homeowners to find this house and fall in love.
Another notable fact about Canberra? It is cold, very cold, in winter.
A tour of this Canberra home reveals a space perfectly suited to Canberra's weather. The garden provides shade in the hot summer months, while the large windows bring in light during the colder winter months.
Check out the entire Houzz Tour
Adelaide
Adelaide is known for being a diverse cultural hub, and is fast becoming one of the most popular cities in Australia thanks to its laidback atmosphere.
This might be a case of chicken-and-the-egg, but this particular house certainly embodies the laidback and diverse Adelaide spirit.
As for the cultural aspect, the homeowners lived in London for two years before they bought this house, and they brought some British sensibility back with them.
See more of this eclectic house
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This article originally appeared on Houzz.