Shack transformed into timeless classic

With its clear lines and chic design, this wonderfully spacious and free flowing five-bedroom home shows very little resemblance to its original humble origins

SUE and Lawson Heath knew exactly what they wanted when they knocked on Gold Coast architect, Paul Uhlmann’s door almost a decade ago.

“The dream was to create a Californian bungalow,” Mrs Heath said.

“Paul had designed our last home in Byron Bay so we were knew exactly what to expect and we are big fans of his work.”

Their home at 106 Seagull Ave may look new but Mrs Heath said the home was one of Mermaid Beach’s original shacks.

“We were going to knock it down but our builder said doing that would be a crime,” she said. “We decided to work with it.”

Mrs Heath said they kept the original home and extended it from back to front. “We knocked the middle out,” she said. “I grew up next door to a beautiful home that had painted white bricks and I really wanted to create that here.”

Inspired by the beach, the home features an attic and the original fireplace.

Mrs Heath said the family are big on entertaining and celebrated her birthday at home with a band and 100 guests.

“The best thing is the flow of the design,” she said. “You could have 20 teenagers over and everyone can mingle happily. There is space for everyone.”

The mother-of-four said her children were raised in the home and it has been the ideal place to cater for them.

“The clean lines and modern style mean