Free flow This Queenslander embraces indoor-outdoor living

THE INDOORS OF THIS QUEENSLANDER SLIP AWAY TO REVEAL SPACES FOR EVERYONE

NESTLED IN THE inner-northern suburbs of Brisbane, this pretty oasis, part of a lovingly renovated 1930s Queenslander, makes the most of the balmy local weather by embracing the best of indoor-outdoor living. When homeowners Anita, a radiographer and sonographer, and her property developer husband Drew purchased the home in 2014, they engaged architect Graeme Spender to help them lift the old house to build a new floor below, and to design the couple’s dream outdoor zone. Now, the interiors seamlessly flow through to an outdoor alfresco space that in turn spills out to a spacious lawn and pool area – a continuous playground for the couple’s three children, Lachlan, nine, Joshua, seven, and four-year-old Sophie. “At the time the kids were younger, and the plan was to design the space so that no matter where we were in the kitchen, dining and living rooms, we could see the kids from the pool,” says Anita. “From a safety point of view, that was a priority.”

dining space

An abstract, vibrant canvas (artist unknown) effortlessly draws outside the personality of the home’s interior (left). “It’s protected from the elements here,” says Anita. A timber dining table from Domayne has the same effect with its warm, natural tones offset by jet-black steel legs that perfectly pair with Tolix-inspired outdoor dining chairs. For similar, try Zanui.

plantings

Anita and her husband planted both pencil pines, a favourite of Drew’s, and golden conifers along the pool fence (top right). “The pencil pines were chosen for height and privacy, and they don’t drop leaves into the pool,” explains Anita, who notes that the golden conifers are still growing to full height and will increase screening as they do so. Azaleas were also added for the blaze of colour they give when in bloom. “They prefer the same acidic soil conditions as the conifers,” adds the homeowner.

pool

“The pool was one of the first things we dug out,” recalls Anita. “For about 12 months, until the renovation was finished, it was an empty hole, teasing our children!” Clever solar heating makes the pool a relaxing destination for nine months of the year. “It’s also a magnesium chloride pool, which is softer on the skin,” she adds. A glass fence provides a clear view, so Anita and Drew can have an eye on their children at all times.

“We like the idea of bringing the outdoors in and indoors out – a seamless flow of the spaces” ~ Anita, homeowner

Pre-reno, there was a tennis court at the back, but not much else to enjoy outside. For the family, a pool was more desirable, so Graeme’s team took out the court and transformed the space into a pool zone that now gets plenty of use. “The high rear fence was kept to assist with privacy along the boundary from flats behind,” says the architect, who also planted fragrant jasmine that will eventually cover the fence.

Anita and Drew love to entertain, so a comfortable, accommodating and durable alfresco zone was a priority on their wish list. With its timber furniture and fans, tactile rug, bar fridge and art-adorned walls, you could be fooled into thinking the space, which connects to the kitchen via large bi-fold doors, is actually part of the home’s interior.

Although it’s tucked underneath the floor above, and thus enjoys some protection from the Queensland elements, the outdoor room is light and bright, thanks to a considered colour palette. “I like starting with a white base and then bringing in some older, rustic finishes,” says Anita, whose wall paint of choice was Resene quarter-strength Bison Hide. “You can see that coming through in the dining table.”

The family is well and truly settled into their home these days, but Anita can still remember how she felt when she saw the new outdoor area for the first time: “So relieved!” she says. “It was something we worked really hard on and hard for. We couldn’t be happier.”

alfresco kitchen

“We imagined how we wanted our life to be as a family and how we would grow together, and we made spaces to reflect that” ~ Anita

Simplicity and practicality are at the heart of the alfresco kitchen and barbecue area. Serving meals for a crowd is made easy by the zone’s proximity to the indoor kitchen, with a Quantum Quartz benchtop in Alpine White allowing plenty of room for plating up, and a Delonghi bar fridge below kept well stocked The barbecue is concealed by two-pac cabinetry for a pared-back finish. Mod cons aside, one of Anita’s favourite things about the outdoor area is the travertine tiles that elegantly ground the space. “They’re beautiful and timeless,” she says.

living area

“This is my happy place,” says Anita, who opted for Coco Republic’s classic ‘Catalan’ outdoor sofa set and coffee table for the cosy outdoor room. “This is where I sit and read my book while the kids play.” Hints of colour break up the otherwise neutral palette in the form of outdoor cushions from Bungalow Living. An indoor-outdoor rug, also from Coco Republic, brings the comfort underfoot while a ‘Haiku’ fan from Big Ass Fans keeps the air moving and the mozzies at bay on balmy nights. Large sliding doors were given an impressive lift with beautiful timber frames, all done by Timberware. “We just really like natural finishes,” says Anita. “Inside we have a lot of timber, too.”