Family Jewel
An effective floor plan flip and the conversion of undercroft space transformed this Queenslander. Pops of emerald and sapphire then polished the interior scheme.
Rich in character, this Brisbane home works on all levels.
Kate and Geoff McIntyre – parents of four children – admit the generous block is what drew them to this Queenslander in Brisbane’s south-west in 2008. The house itself, though liveable, was decidedly lacklustre.
As the children grew and needed more personal space, Kate and Geoff decided it was high time to give their rough diamond a good polish. In 2015, they approached architect Greg Everding, who suggested reworking the layout of the main living level and adding a small extension to create a parents’ retreat. The hitherto underutilised undercroft would be completely transformed, with bedrooms for sons Archie, 14, and Lachie, 12, a family room, mud room and oodles of storage.
While the entry porch and front rooms were preserved to retain the home’s character and connection with the street, the floor plan at the rear was opened up and rooms shuffled around to make better use of the space. “Flipping the layout of the kitchen and dining area has made the room so much more functional,” says Kate. “We even squeezed in a butler’s pantry!”
Two of the three existing ground-floor bedrooms were redesigned with ensuites for daughters Eve, 15, and Molly, 10; the third bedroom is used as a guestroom. “The girls are enjoying the separation from the boys, especially having their own bathrooms,” says Kate, laughing.
Indeed, the new, more spread out, layout is working well for everyone. Kate loves the fact that the parents’ retreat is slightly removed from the main living areas .“Geoff and I relish having quiet moments to ourselves,” she says. “Likewise, the kids can happily be having fun downstairs or outside with friends, playing music, watching movies or whatever, and we
‘I love the way all the patterns tie together so harmoniously.’ Kate McIntyre
can be nearby without intruding on each other’s space.”
Next, Kate turned to her long time friend, interior designer Angela Antelme of Ascot Living, to help with the interiors. “I’ve known Angela for more than 20 years and always admired her style,” says Kate. Together, the friends devised a wholehouse scheme based on their shared favourite colour, emerald green.
Kate says Angela encouraged her to be brave in her decorating choices .“The green tiles in the kitchen were a major leap of faith, especially teamed with the chocolatecoloured Paperock used for the island bench and open shelving. It’s not a combination I would have considered on my own, but I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out.” The striking wallpaper in the main bedroom is another example. “I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen it myself, but Angela showed it to me, with a photo of it in situ, and I could see how calm, unique and beautiful it was,” says Kate.
While some of the elements may have seemed a bit out there, all of Angela’s ‘daring’ suggestions are very practical and have a timeless quality. “Knowing how the whole house would work was always at the forefront of our minds,” she says. “When you are designing a house for a family with four children, you need to use materials and finishes that are tough and not going to show too much wear.”
Now that their home is complete, Kate says the family has no plans to move – ever. “We renovated with longevity in mind,” she says. “It feels amazing every time I come home from being out,” she adds. “I wish I could spend more time here.”
Greg Everding Architect, Stones Corner, Queensland; 0409 987 709. Ascot Living, Ascot, Queensland;
(07) 3268 2100 or ascotliving.com.au.
‘The light and the colours make our home feel so bright and happy.’ Kate