Holiday at home An outdoor area for the whole family to enjoy
AN OLD CARPORT TRANSFORMED INTO A POOL HOUSE BRINGS A RESORT FEEL TO THIS GARDEN
Years spent in Asia proved the inspiration Brisbane couple Riza and Cam needed to turn an old garage behind their 100-yearold Queenslander into a swish pool house. “Many of the beautiful hotels we stayed in had stunning cabana lounge areas,” says Riza, an interior stylist and owner of Villa St. Interiors. With three growing children and the prospect of endless summers ahead, the couple promptly installed a pool when they bought the home in 2006. Converting the garage into an accompanying cabana took more consideration. “We took it very slowly and spent hours each weekend, talking and drawing plans,” says Riza. The result was certainly worth the wait, giving the family of five their very own backyard resort. Original Room: A two-car garage built in the 1980s, with timber walls and a concrete slab floor.
Time frame: Slowly – it took more than eight years!
Why the makeover? An old mango tree in the backyard meant the pool needed to be located near the original garage, making its proximity perfect for a pool house.
The works: Riza and Cam used the structure’s existing footprint to draw plans for a bathroom, kitchen and built-in barbecue, with plenty of open space left for entertaining. Riza took on the design and project management while Cam, a civil engineer and handyman, did the build. major Changes: The front and one side wall were left open, and breezy clerestory openings were cut in the rear and remaining side walls. Lessons learned: “Planning, planning, planning,” says Riza. “We pre-planned for sewage, electricity, solar and placement over several years.”
KITCHEN
Adding a kitchen area complete with dishwasher (above) has made the pool house a self-sufficient entertainment zone. Riza sourced subway tiles from Bunnings for their classic appeal, and added a Mondello ‘Maestro’ gold lever handle mixer and complementary gold edging for an upscale touch. Simple ‘Ringhult’ high-gloss cabinetry and ‘Ekbacken’ worktops for the benches, both sourced from Ikea, were a cost-effective choice. “These were modified with beautiful glass Art Deco handles I brought in from the US to add a bit of glamour,” explains Riza.
DINING AREA
Riza and Cam lived in Hanoi, Vietnam, for several years before their three kids were born. The French-Vietnamese dining setting (for similar, try 1st Dibs) and the ‘Tahitian’ fans sourced from Beacon Lighting (left) work as a reminder of their former home. Beyond, beneath the mango tree, a restored fibreglass table setting is ideal for alfresco moments.