Bold Revival: A Character Queenslander Where Classic Meets Contemporary

Original Silky Oak walls and a formal floor plan gave this Queenslander home in Alderley all the character a family could want. Making it work for the way that family actually lives in 2024 was the harder question.

Owned by a family of five, the beautifully renovated home already possessed the desirable elements of a character property. Original Silky Oak walls envelop the living spaces, creating a soothing, cocooning effect and evoking the charm of a bygone era. As a family home today, though, that same classic character presented a challenge in decorating for modern living and a contemporary lifestyle.

Striking a balance between contemporary and classic design, two of Brisbane’s best design studios transformed the home for a modern family. Kate Connors, Interior Designer and Director of Connors & Co., oversaw the interior decorating and styling, while David Hansford, Architect and Director of DAH Architecture, tackled the Phase 2 renovation and redesign with Mylne Build.

Bold Revival: A Character Queenslander Where Classic Meets Contemporary

CHARACTER HOME INTERIOR DESIGN: BRINGING THE GARDEN INDOORS

Upstairs, the interior scheme draws on the flowering trees in the home’s cottage garden, using pinks, mauves, and greens throughout the decor to lift the dark tones of the Silky Oak walls. The choice of colours and textures brings the garden indoors and creates a lively contrast with the home’s original features.

In the lounge room, a Zuster ‘Ribbon’ stitch velvet “Cloud” armchair was chosen in a deep Amethyst colourway, inspired by the surrounding Jacarandas, while the ‘Dandy’ armchairs by Massproductions nod to the 1930s era of the home in an emerald green boucle. These pieces serve as focal points, highlighting the room’s historical context while providing modern comfort.

An Armadillo ‘Atlas’ Berber rug and a side table with stark lines of welded steel from Ebb & Flow tie in with the backs of the Jardan ‘Seb’ barstools in the kitchen beyond. This graphic pattern play, inspired by the tiles in the bathrooms (designed by DAH.A), creates visual connections throughout the home. Consistent patterns and textures unify the spaces, making the home feel like a well-curated whole.

RENOVATING FOR THE SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE AND SLOPED SITE

Beyond, a more contemporary living space designed by DAH Architecture improves the home’s liveability by responding to the subtropical climate and sloped topography. A deck extension takes advantage of the elevated northeastern setting, while a new semi-above-ground swimming pool was built at ground level, expanding the yard and connecting it to secondary living areas while ensuring privacy.

Here, the palette draws in the greenery and the pool, blending with the outdoor environment. Large windows and open-plan living areas maximise natural light, making the space feel airy and bright. The transition from the historical charm of the upper levels to the modern, open-plan lower level is seamless, thanks to careful consideration of the design elements, ensuring every corner of the home is both beautiful and practical.

HERITAGE RENOVATION: WHERE OLD AND NEW MEET

Connors & Co. furnished both the old house and the new architectural extension with their favourite brands, most of which are Australian-made. This choice supports local artisans and ensures a high standard of quality and craftsmanship throughout. The blend of old and new furnishings creates a cohesive look that is both timeless and contemporary.

“Beyond the stunning new decor and vibrant hues, what truly captivates us is the seamless integration of the designers’ vision with the original features of our home,” share the homeowners. Their once classic home has been transformed into a blend of old-world charm and contemporary sophistication, a fusion of tradition and innovation. It is now a sanctuary that is both beautiful and functional.