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H&G HOUSESVERANDAH Grace and her miniature dachshund, Coco, enjoy the shade of the front verandah. Ceiling fan, MyFan. Cushions, Highgate House. Travertine pavers. Smart buy: For similar patio setting, try Tribecca Collection armchair, $984, two-seater sofa, $1590, Naturally Cane. ENTRANCE The front door and surrounding stained glass are all original. The bespoke light fittings from Highgate House complement the heritage architecture. For Where to Buy, see page 291. Fresh take

This grand old Queenslander in Brisbane combines all the right elements for a fabulous family home: timeless

design, practicality and a character all of its own.STORY LEESA MAHER v STYLING KATE NIXON v PHOTOGRAPHY MAREE HOMER

This is the lifeHaving practically doubled the size of the original house, owners Michael and Mary Jo and their three children now have all the space they need to live happily together. The boys’ bedrooms are downstairs, along with a common living area and a separate entrance, so they can entertain friends in private. Grace, too, has her own sitting room, a louvred-in verandah off her bedroom.

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“It was an easy house to fall in love with,” says Mary Jo of the stately Queenslander she calls home in Brisbane’s inner north. She and her husband Michael bought the landmark property in 2002 after two years of searching. “It ticked all the boxes,” she

says. “It’s north-east facing with good elevation on a large block in a quiet street. On top of that, it oozed character and warmth, even before the renovation.”

Built in the late-19th century and featuring wide timber steps, airy verandahs and a distinctive ‘candle snuffer’ roof, the house was relocated in the 1930s from its original site across the road.

While Mary Jo and Michael loved the house as it was, a decade on they found their family – including children Grace, now 20, James, 18, and Hugh, 17 – had outgrown the home’s modest footprint. “Grace and James are at university and Hugh is in his final year of high school,” says Mary Jo. “We needed a house with plenty of living space for five adults as well as sufficient parking.”

It’s often said the secret to a successful renovation is to wait a while and after 10 years, the couple knew every inch of the property. Architect Andrew Gildea devised the revamp and project-managed the 18-month build, completed in June last year, which included a new basement garage, cellar and laundry, plus a two-level rear extension with new living areas, kitchen, bedrooms with ensuites, office, gym and spacious verandahs.

“We reoriented all the living areas and opened up the eastern side of the house to the views,” says Mary Jo. “Where before our living areas were boxed in, now they are open.” >

LIVING The beautiful bay window is a favourite spot for reading. A dancing ladies orchid on the coffee table adds an elegant colour contrast. Custom-made rug, blinds and sofa. Sofa upholstered in RM Coco Allure, available from Ascraft. For similar bamileke stool, try Les Interieurs. Wall unit and coffee table, both Globe Imports. DINING Mary Jo and Michael have owned the dining table and chairs for many years. Custom-made pendant light. KITCHEN The main benchtop is granite while the American oak island bench is topped with Calacatta marble. Custom-made rangehood and joinery (throughout), Wyer+Craw. Leigh sourced the pendant lights, now discontinued. Leather-upholstered stools, Highgate House. Tapware and splashback tiles, Elite Bathware & Tiles. The oak flooring has been stained to match the original floorboards. For Where to Buy, see page 291.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN Located on the rear verandah and with views over a gully, the outdoor kitchen sees plenty of use year-round. The finishes tie in with the main kitchen and servery windows connect both cooking zones.

Spring refreshAs the days lengthen, this light and airy home comes into its own. In such large spaces, with white ceilings and huge expanses of pale grey walls, texture was key. “A white home needs texture, layers, detailing and [points of] interest to make it work,” says Leigh. Cue drapes in sumptuous fabrics, patterned rugs and rich timber in varying tones for floors, joinery and occasional pieces. “I also love adding greenery in a neutral scheme. It really brings the home to life.”

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MAIN BEDROOM (above left and right) “Tonal fabrics and textures create a tranquil feel,” says Leigh. A classic wing chair was reupholstered in Colefax & Fowler Wilde Blue cut-velvet to tie in with the new colour scheme. Sandberg Svante wallpaper, Scott Hutton Agencies. Lamp, Highgate House. MAIN ENSUITE The inlaid tile ‘rug’ was a must-have for Mary Jo. SICIS Quiris 2 floor tiles, Elite Bathware & Tiles. Wall tiles, Amber Tiles. Carrara marble benchtop. Smart buy: Ambience hardwood shutters, POA, Verosol. HALL An antique hall table is teamed with a glam Art Deco-style mirror. In the study, dark timber reigns for a cossetting effect. Vintage oriental rug. Chair covered in Travers Bayley Stripe, Unique Fabrics. For Where to Buy, see page 291. >

‘ EACH ROOM WAS TREATED INDIVIDUALLY. THERE’S NO NEED FOR THEM ALL TO LOOK THE SAME.’ LEIGH BOSWELL, INTERIOR DESIGNER

Bed

Bed

Bed

Library

Wardrobe

Garage

Driveway

Verandah

Family

KitchenetteKitchen

Pool

Outdoor kitchen

Formal dining

Verandah

Utilities

Terrace

Study

Library

FIRST FLOOR GROUND FLOOR

Verandah

Living

Dining

StoreSunroom

Verandah

Gym

BedWater tanks

Bed

Sitting

Bath

Bath

Gallery

Bed

Bath

Entrance

Bath

Bath

Robe

Pump

BathRobe

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EXTERIOR The formal front garden balances out the decorative architectural elements of the imposing heritage property. ENTRY The vertical panelling so typical in a Queenslander has been painted a crisp, pale grey (Resene Ash, one-eighth strength), which feels contemporary yet works perfectly with the period features. Chandelier and cushion, Highgate House. Chair, La Maison. For similar rug, try Cadrys. For Where to Buy, see page 291.

‘ A WHITE HOME NEEDS TEXTURES, LAYERS, DETAILING AND [POINTS OF] INTEREST TO MAKE IT WORK.’ LEIGH BOSWELL

< Out front, in the original section, the changes were largely cosmetic; the existing interiors and exterior knit beautifully with the extension. “It was a challenge to design such a large extension that meets today’s contemporary living and yet retains the look and feeling of the classic Queensland home,” says Andrew.

But the classic touches remain, from the transom lights, vertical joinery and pressed-metal ceilings to the skirting boards and architraves. One side verandah, which had been enclosed as a bathroom at some point, was also opened up to the light once again.

Interior designer Leigh Boswell of Highgate House prescribed a pristine backdrop of the palest grey for the walls, teamed with fresh white trims and ceilings and overlaid with soothing blues, greys and touches of timber. Leigh’s polished, contemporary aesthetic proved an ideal fit for the house, and the family. They rarely find time for weekends away, so Mary Jo wanted the home to feel peaceful and calm, to offer sanctuary from their busy lives.

“My favourite areas are the kitchen, living rooms and verandahs,” says Mary Jo. “These spaces are where everyone comes together and the colours and textures reflect a softness and warmth that are just perfect for this area. It’s so comfortable, so homely and looks so lovely.” #Architect: Andrew Gildea Architects, Wilston, Queensland; (07) 3356 5344 or www.agarchitects.com.au. Interior design: Highgate House, Clayfield, Queensland; (07) 3256 0860 or www.highgatehouse.com.au. Builder: C&R Darvill, Alexandra Hills, Queensland; (07) 3824 6428 or darvillbuilders.com.au. P

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Resene Alabaster (trims, throughout)

Resene Black (front door)

Resene Pearl Lusta, one-eighth strength (exterior)

Resene Ash, one-eighth strength (foyer, living)

Use the free viewa app and scan this page to see a video tour of this home.