la dolce VITA

Taking its cues from one of the world's most picturesque locations, the transformation of this Gold Coast house is truly 'bellissima'

- WORDS JACKIE BRYGEL

It was a trip to the southern Italian region of Puglia, iconic for its hillside towns dotted with whitewashed limestone houses and ancient olive groves, that cast a lasting spell on Queensland couple Danika and Brian.

To the parents of two, the streets of Italy's famed 'heel of the boot' region would provide the inspiration for the new look of their family home on the Gold Coast. The result is the gloriously reimagined abode Danika and Brian have lovingly named 'Casa Franc' after their daughter Francesca - a house that welcomes in dappled sunlight and lush Mediterranean-influenced vistas at every turn.

"We just loved the design and style of the houses in Puglia," says Danika.

"We wanted our own home to feel like it could be in Italy, but grounded in the relaxed way we live here in Australia."

DRIVE BEHIND THE DESIGN

In 2018, the couple – parents to Francesca, seven, and Harvey, four – bought the unremarkable ’90s home sitting on a relatively compact 625 square-metre block. While the three-bedroom brick house – perfectly liveable as it was – appeared poky and lacklustre in style, Danika and Brian were won over by its prime Gold Coast location just moments from cafes and the water’s edge.

“The house was all white walls and grey tiles. It didn’t have any soul,” says Danika. “It also didn’t make good use of the block, but we saw the potential.” Danika, owner of Certflow and The Slow Beach Shack, and Brian, owner/ director of Platinum Building Approvals, wasted no time honing their vision.