Heights of joy A Queenslander in Brisbane with views and plenty of natural light is the perfect abode for a young family
BLESSED WITH NATURAL LIGHT AND SWEEPING VIEWS, A GRAND OLD QUEENSLANDER TURNS A NEW PAGE FOR A YOUNG BRISBANE FAMILY
HOUSE ON THE HILL Surrounded by bougainvillea and views of Mount Coot-tha, the Queenslander of Brisbane homeowners Annette (pictured, opposite) and Ryan brims with beauty, love and the laughter of their little ones, Rosie, four, and Eddie, one. The living area had to be childproof, so the bespoke sofa was covered in a robust fabric by Zepel and sits on an outdoor rug from Armadillo. “The right outdoor rugs feel as soft as indoor rugs but can be taken outside and hosed down,” says the home’s interior decorator, Tahn Scoon. Cushions in Christian Fischbacher ‘Clash’ and Christopher Farr ‘Carnival’ in Green lighten the palette, while a throw by Bianca Lorenne invites snuggling. A trio of ‘Series 04’ bone-inlay boxes by Tantra Imports and a black-stained tray atop the ‘Oslo’ coffee table by Xavier Furniture add dark elegance, while family photographs emphasise the welcoming feel. >
Their shared story spans more than two decades, but high-school sweethearts Annette and Ryan are also one in their passion for the signature house that defines their home city of Brisbane. “Before we had kids, we lived in a beautiful Queenslander, which we loved, but it was completely unsuited to family living,” says Ryan. So the couple began the hunt for a Queenslander that combined the character features they adored with a family-friendly layout. “We hoped to find the perfect move-in-ready house, but that didn’t happen,” explains Ryan. “We did, however, find this beautiful 100-year-old home and loved it instantly.”
Although recently renovated, the inner-suburbs home presented some layout challenges, but the couple were won over by its traditional architectural details, soaring ceilings, natural light and views forever. “Ryan has always wanted to live on acreage, whereas I’ve always loved the city, so a suburban block that’s minutes from the city but with undulating mountain views is the perfect compromise,” says Annette.
Engaging Greg Ward of GMW Projects, the builder who’d done the earlier renovation, Annette and Ryan set about updating their home, conscious that Queenslanders are notorious for idiosyncratic nooks and oddly shaped spaces. “We wanted every room to have a purpose, and its own storage – we didn’t want any space to be wasted,” says Ryan. “A good case in point is the craft nook, which we previously didn’t really use.”
The most striking change has been in the opening-up of the main living area and kitchen, while the old deck was closed in to become a dining area and a former bedroom reclaimed as “the fireplace room”. “Guests walk past the little character rooms at the front and suddenly the open kitchen is revealed,” says Ryan. “It gets a great reaction.”
Outside, a spacious new deck makes entertaining a dream. “We love to socialise and love to transition guests from space to space,” says Ryan. “We usually start with nibbles at the island, then it’s dinner on the deck, wine in the dining and, finally, port in front of the fire.”
As a finishing touch, they called in interior decorator Tahn Scoon of Tahn Interiors. “I met Tahn at a workshop and knew she’d be the perfect fit for what we wanted – a beautifully styled home that wasn’t at all precious and could easily accommodate kids,” says Annette. After all, it was their hearts’ desire to find the ideal nest for their children – Rosie and Eddie – that led them to this home, which so graciously enfolds the past and future. “This is our family’s forever home,” says Annette. “I was pregnant with Eddie throughout the reno. He arrived just as it was completed, so it all came together at the same time. After all that work, it’s now lovely to just sit back and watch the kids enjoy the space.”
KITCHEN “It’s a little bit country, a little bit city – which is a reflection of Annette and I,” notes Ryan of the partially renovated kitchen (right). They retained the existing Kauri-topped island bench and Hamptons-like cabinetry by Viva Cabinets but added contemporary touches such as the Dekton ‘Olimpo’ ultra-compact surface by Cosentino for the waterfall benchtop, tapware from Brodware’s ‘Winslow’ collection, ‘Miami’ stools from Naturally Cane and Studio VC ‘Aspen’ lights from The Montauk Lighting Co. “The original paper shades were too creamy, so we swapped them for white linen,” says interior decorator Tahn Scoon. For a selection of timber buffets for the dining area, try Harvey Norman.
ENTRY Its footprint may be humble but the foyer (left) makes an impact, thanks to its height and natural light. Decorated with a space-saving ‘Oslo’ hall table by Xavier Furniture, while discreet storage comes in the form of a seagrass basket from Tribe Home and a trio of ‘Mocca’ bone-inlay boxes from Tantra Imports. The art is by renowned local artist Courtney Brims, an old school friend of Annette’s, while the ‘Brentwood’ table lamp from Emac & Lawton enhances the classic feel. Walls throughout are painted in Resene Half Bianca.
ROSIE’S BEDROOM A simple backdrop (below) is sweetened by splashes of colour, with custom cushions in Schumacher fabrics by Tahn Interiors and Pillow Talk bedlinen. Annette found the Three
Balloons art print on Hardtofind, and the ‘Floating-the-Skies’ ornamental balloons at Temple & Webster. “Having all the walls and main furniture white means we can easily and affordably update the decor as she grows,” says Annette, “but for the moment, it’s all about pink!” >
CRAFT NOOK “This was one of the areas we didn’t really know what to do with,” says Annette (pictured with Rosie). “Tahn suggested turning it into a craft nook for Rosie, and Eddie once he’s older, and it’s worked.” The bench seats were covered in Zepel ‘Gulf’ outdoor fabric in Captain, and the handmade American oak table was finished in tactile beeswax. An oversized linen drum pendant is teamed with an aged metal rod, both by Tahn Interiors. ‘Sketch Requin’ chairs in Charcoal from Globe West ground the zone. >
CREATING A MASTER SUITE UNDER THE DECK EXTENSION ALLOWED luxuriously FOR A LARGE BEDROOM AND GIVES direct access US TO THE GARDEN” ~ RYAN
POWDER ROOM “Annette and Ryan wanted guests to be greeted by something beautiful but a little unexpected,” says interior decorator Tahn of the ‘Borromee’ wallpaper by Casamance (above, try Zepel). It’s offset by a ‘London’ vanity topped with a ‘Cherry Pie’ solid surface bench in Calacatta by Architectural Designer Products, and is teamed with a Brodware ‘Winslow’ basin set with white porcelain levers. A collection of ceramic vases and a ceramic ‘Dome’ pendant light in Slate, all by Mud Australia, provide textural contrast. The ‘Florina’ travertine-look tiles were found at ASA Tiles and are laid in an arresting French (staggered) pattern. MAIN BEDROOM For the ultimate in luxe, the bed (opposite) is sumptuously layered in ‘Capriccio Prussian Blue’ and ‘Mateo Prussian Blue’ comforters by Bianca Lorenne. A Visual Comfort Kelly Wearstler ‘Utopia’ lamp from Bloomingdales lends sophistication to ‘Toulouse’ bedside tables from Pottery Barn, also the source of the extra-wide dresser. >
DECK Brisbane’s balmy weather ensures the newly extended deck is in use whatever the season. “It really is an extension of our living space,” says Ryan. “We open all the doors and the whole upstairs area becomes one.” The outlook extends over the surrounding suburbs and nearby Mount Coot-tha. “Aside from the views, it gives us a much better connection to the pool and garden,” adds Ryan. Decorating was light on – existing Early Settler furniture was re-covered in Warwick ‘Kona Navy’ fabric and complemented by custom Casamance ‘Elaphe’ cushions from Tahn Interiors.