Summer daze Earthy meets eclectic in this Queensland home

WITH A BACKDROP OF WHITE ON WHITE, THIS EXPANSIVE QUEENSLAND HOME TAKES AN EARTHY AND ECLECTIC APPROACH TO MODERN MINIMALISM

As is the case for many southerners who migrate north, it was the lure of the warmer weather that enticed Andy and Stephen to move from Victoria to Queensland with children Charlie, nine, and Izzy, seven. “I was sick of feeling the cold and I made a deal with Stephen that he could choose the location, but I’d have carte blanche on the interiors,” says Andy. Drawn to the Sunshine Coast, where they regularly holidayed, Stephen discovered a place that ticked all of their boxes – a 10-acre property enveloped in bush.

Here, they could enjoy the serenity of living out of town, while being close enough to the beach to sink their toes into the sand during the weekends. Andy could also see incredible potential in the ’80s yellow-rendered farmhouse sitting on the block. “I wanted our home to be as light and bright as possible, so there was only one way to go – paint it all white,” she reflects. With expertise in project management and interiors, Andy organised for the entire top floor – featuring timber-panelled cathedral ceilings and timber floors – to be painted before they moved in. Within three months, the entire renovation was complete. “We changed every single surface – the tradies thought we were mad, but we had a vision and wecouldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” she says.

Inspired by Andy’s Greek heritage and a love for Mediterranean architecture, the original basic interior was re-imagined through the introduction of moulded curves and arches. Rooms were layered with antique bleached Indian pieces and vintage finds, while fluoro strip lights were replaced with statement pendants, imbuing the home with an eclectic and global feel. For a unique bathroom look, existing tiles and dated fixtures were ripped out and the walls rendered in a smooth waterproof finish. In lieu of standard vanities, vintage Indian consoles were fitted with marble basins and Turkish taps. Andy retained the original footprint in the home’s kitchen, but transformed the space, with benchtops finished in hand-poured concrete, new timber cabinetry and a striking wall of open shelves.

Downstairs, a storage room and garage space were converted into an additional guest room that opens out to the pool area, where you could easily be forgiven for thinking you’re in Santorini itself. “I love the look of flowing curves, so we had built-in rendered furniture created for the guest room, which flows outside to form the pool fencing and a seating area,” explains Andy.

With their own pocket of rainforest on the block, as well as a creek and orchard, the family has truly taken to their new life. “Stephen loves driving around on his tractor,” says Andy. “On weekends we’ll do family walks to ‘check the boundaries’ and pick lemons. The wildlife here is next level.” The week they moved in they found a baby python curled up in a sofa, and a snake catcher has since been back several times. The family also takes delight in regularly spotting kangaroos, tiny pygmy possums, king parrots, frogs and wild ducks. “Living here gives us the best of both worlds the bush with the beach nearby,” says Andy. “Stephen chose well; we love it here.”

“I LIKE THE FEELING OF LIGHT, WHITE, breezy SPACES LAYERED WITH interesting PIECES AND TEXTURES”

~ ANDY

“OPEN SHELVES ARE incredibly FUNCTIONAL AND GIVE THE KITCHEN A rustic LOOK. IT ALSO MEANS I CAN HAVE ALL MY favourite CERAMICS AND SERVINGWARE ON DISPLAY”

~ ANDY

“HOME IS A wonderful REFUGE. OUR TIME HERE IS OUR OWN” ~ ANDY

“STEPHEN AND I JUST SAY NO TO CHROME. WE PREFER THE timeless LOOK OF BRUSHED GOLD PAIRED WITH neutral TONES AND TIMBER”

~ ANDY

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Former Melburnians Andy and Stephen have embraced a relaxed lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast hinterland. “It’s so secluded and peaceful, all we see is greenery and lots of wildlife,” enthuses Andy, pictured with daughter Izzy (above right) relaxing in one of the home’s many outdoor seating areas, furnished in a mix of cane and timber pieces from Eclectic Style. This easy, textural style is seen throughout the home and outdoors – case in point: a barnacle pot from Bedouin Traders (above left) atop a vintage Hungarian workbench on the deck, against a counterpoint of bright white. The Santoriniinspired pool (opposite & top right) is the ultimate splash zone with moulded walls and ‘Slip In’ sun loungers from Techno Plastics, while at the back (top left), a butterfly staircase is reminiscent of an old Queenslander. >

BACK DECK Andy and adorable chow-chow Ginger Rose make the most of the deck (top left), which was extended to run the full length of the house. Carefully selected cane chairs, plus a rustic bamboo umbrella from Ha’veli, create a relaxed resort vibe. “I’ve always wanted one,” explains Andy of the brolly. “The shape and hairy fronds remind me of the children’s storybook character Grugg.” OPEN LIVING AREA One of the big selling points was the home’s open living area (left & opposite), with soaring Tasmanian oak ceilings. “The natural colour of the timber was beautiful, but I really wanted to go all-white and it completely transformed the place,” says Andy, who opted for Dulux Lexicon Quarter. “We even had all the windows, sliding door frames and balustrades spray-painted white, which made the greenery outside pop.” The house is filled with Jardan furniture, such as the ‘Nook’ sofa that sits alongside the ’70s leather slingbacks – try Fenton & Fenton. >

KITCHEN With its simple palette and tactile materials, the kitchen (top left, top right & opposite) is a casual hub where people instinctively gravitate. “I wanted to evoke the look of Chukum, which is a traditional limestone stucco used to render homes in Mexico,” says Andy. Opting for a local alternative, Rockcote was hand-trowelled to achieve the clay plaster look on the open shelving (above left). The concrete benchtops were tinted a light clay colour, while plywood was used to highlight the face of the serving bench and cleverly conceal the fridge. DINING With multiple informal dining spots (opposite), the family is spoilt for choice. Evening meals are often shared around the Jardan ‘Iko’ marble table teamed with ‘Barri’ chairs, while timber kitchen bar stools from Eclectic Style are the perfect place to perch for a quick bite at breakfast time. Rustic pendant lights, also sourced from Eclectic Style, punctuate the soaring raked ceiling. >

MAIN BEDROOM Stephen and Andy’s bedroom (opposite) is a serene, sun-drenched haven. Dressed simply in layers of white and cream, it’s a timeless retreat, with timber elements such as a vintage bench providing a touch of warmth. The mismatched bedside lamps were vintage finds, and pair simply with a photographic print titled ‘Stingray Hunter’ by Peter McConchie, above the bed. OUTDOOR BATH A private bathtub on the back deck (above) overlooking a sea of trees is the epitome of tranquillity. For a spa-like feel, the freestanding tub from Highgrove Bathrooms is teamed with brushed gold tapware from NCP, with a rustic timber stool handy for holding soaps. “We took out the original bathtub from the main bathroom to create space, but because Izzy still loves to have a bath we thought it would be fun to try something outside,” says Andy. A ‘Marigold’ rug from Armadillo & Co completes the idyllic set-up. >

IZZY’S BEDROOM Vintage Queen Anne beds topped with scatter cushions introduce a subtle touch of pink to the room (top left). An antique bedside lamp and a delicate crochet chandelier from Serengeti add some extra personality and texture. OUTDOOR SHOWER Under the house (top right), an outdoor shower provides a place to rinse off after a dip in the pool. A brushed gold shower fixture with exposed piping from NCP adds a rustic feel, along with a reclaimed Vietnamese shutter from The Bunker. GUEST BATHROOM Chic and low-maintenance, the guest bathroom (above right) features rendered waterproof walls and floors, creating a seamless look. An ornate Indian console from Alabaster Trader was converted into a vanity, teamed with a Bisque Interiors marble basin and wall-mounted brushed gold Turkish taps. >

POOL SIDE Long summer days are often enjoyed poolside, with an undercover retreat below the deck providing a cool spot to relax (below). A curved bench seat carved from Hebel is topped with cushions from Eclectic Style. The rustic timber dining table is from Alabaster Trader. To break up the vast expanse of white, Vietnamese shutters add texture to the wall. “We love having a bite to eat or a drink down by the pool,” says Andy. CONTACTS Builder Robbie Van Wyk, 0428 293 339. Interiors Andy Brown, Brown & Co., 0408 850 892, brown-co.co.