Tropical bliss Living at home during a reno works wonders
A TIRED, POST-WAR BRISBANE HOME HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A TRANQUIL HAVEN BY ITS DESIGN-SAVVY OWNERS
Chris and her husband, Nathan, knew they had a challenge ahead of them when they bought their “little gem” nine years ago. Nestled in a leafy Brisbane suburb, the two things the house had going for it were the large block on which it sat and the elevated city views. Everything else was less than ideal. “All the rooms were wallpapered in different colours and patterns; the floor plan was poky and the kitchen was so dated it had a booth,” says Chris. Yet the pair saw potential and, with a keen eye for design, Chris, owner of homewares boutiques The White Bungalow and White Haven, and Nathan, a carpenter, had the skills to turn it into something special. Rather than launch into a full-scale renovation, the pair opted for more of a measured makeover. The arrival of sons Brooklyn, eight, and Hunter, four, meant the growing family was in need of more space, so an unused area below the house was built in to create the ultimate kids’ zone. Upstairs, rooms were painted in white and revamped, and an internal wall was removed to open up the dining and living area. Yet the most striking change was the addition of a gorgeous wraparound deck, set against a backdrop of white plantation shutters and lush tropical plants. “The deck has made such a difference,” says Chris. “It’s extended the footprint of the house and created a great open-plan feel. We’re out there every day.” With Nathan taking on the bulk of the work himself, alterations were squeezed in whenever there was a break between his company projects. “It wasn’t always ideal,” recalls Chris. “The old kitchen was ripped out two weeks before Christmas and we had all the family coming, and incredibly, Nathan got it done. We’re a great team. I make the selections and Nathan does the labouring. He’s just amazing.” With impressive attention to detail, timber flooring was restored, skirting boards, doors and walls were replaced, and ornate cornicing and ceiling roses were added as a homage to the home’s post-war era. However, it is Chris’s impeccable style that makes the home truly beautiful. The look is light and summery, with the dreamy neutral palette peppered with hints of blue and grey and layers of lovely texture. Shelves are adorned with ginger jars and coral alongside hurricane candles, hemp rugs are underfoot, and a mix of wicker, cane and timber furniture helps create a wonderfully relaxed, tropical boho feel. Glossy green foliage and an abundance of blooms also add to the home’s feel-good factor, thanks largely to Chris’s decision to incorporate a florist within her homewares stores. “Flowers have always been my indulgence, and now, with access to such a variety every day, I feel very lucky and certainly make the most of it,” she says. Although the couple had planned to sell once they’d worked their magic, now all the hard work is completed they’re in no rush to leave. “After years of living in a part-finished house, it’s nice not to have to think about what needs to be done, and enjoy how well it’s turned out,” says Chris. “It’s better than we imagined.”