Oasis Of Cool

A Stone's Throw From Brisbane's Heart, This Once-crumbling Queenslander Has Become a Breezy Retreat for a Family of Five

- Tamara Simoneau

GREEN DREAM

A lush sense of the tropics imbues the living and lounging area of Pete and Kirsty’s newly renovated Brisbane home. A window seat, crafted out of spotted gum, surrounds the open-plan spaces of the reimagined Queenslander, bordered by a thriving garden of foliage. “I feel like I’m living in a tropical rainforest with all the greenery,” says Kirsty, enjoying a moment with her daughter, Ivy (opposite). “When we open the windows, the plants fall inside.” A custom-made dining table with wishbone chairs from Replica Furniture means there’s always room for guests, while a modern chandelier – for similar try the ‘Agnes’ chandelier from Space Furniture – adds a dash of drama.

Design inspiration can come from myriad destinations and sources: for homeowners Kirsty and Pete, it was a visit to a favourite restaurant of theirs during a family holiday that inspired what was to become the masterstroke in the renovation of their old Queenslander. “We saw these huge glass windows at our favourite Italian restaurant, with great plants bringing the outdoors in,” says Kirsty. “We knew that’s what we wanted straight away.” Another point on the must-have list was enough space for their growing family, which includes Hugo, eight, Kai, seven, and baby Ivy, to enjoy life to the fullest, and a design that would also work for extended family gatherings. “Pete is one of seven children, and I’m one of three, so when our immediate families get together we have over 50 people,” says Kirsty.