COASTAL CRUSH
A CHARMING POOLSIDE ADDITION HAS DELIVERED A QUINTESSENTIAL SUMMER SETTING FOR ONE QUEENSLAND FAMILY
With a penchant for the beachy East Coast American aesthetic and a building design qualification in progress, Brisbane homeowner Clare and husband Clinton decided the timing was right to tackle the design and construction of a pool house that they, and their two children, Charli, four, and Oliver, six, could enjoy during hot summers. “The challenge was to keep it simple to fit within budget, but still achieve a high-end look,” says Clare, whose vision was to create a home reminiscent of a New Yorker’s island holiday house. “We wanted it to feel like a retreat from the chaos of everyday life, where the calming blues and the texture of white-drenched walls and rafters whisked you away into a state of relaxation.”
Original room: An unused void between the existing pool deck
and the property’s rear fence.
Time frame: Four weeks from start to finish.
Why the makeover? Having two active children and a love for entertaining, the couple felt creating a space for both was a necessity.
The works: “A new structure was built ensuring the floor level flowed seamlessly onto the existing deck,” explains Clare. Colorbond roofing with James Hardie Linea cladding was used on the exterior, while the interior walls were sheeted from floor to ceiling with MDF wall panelling. The room was finished with Oyster Grey travertine tiles on the floor.
Major changes: Once constructed, external and internal lighting options were fitted for night-time entertaining, and beachy white tones were applied inside and out to create a coastal vibe.
Lessons learned: “We did the painting ourselves and it took many more coats than expected,” recalls Clare. “Next time we would choose a white paint with a blocker, to save on coats and lots of time.”
“A PROJECT THAT RUNS ON TIME AND IN BUDGET IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD” ~ CLARE, HOMEOWNER & DESIGNER