Gold Coast Houzz: A Dated Family Home Goes Country Luxe
See how a Gold Coast interior designer brought warmth and rustic elegance to her childhood friends' abode
Designing a home for friends would be a nerve-wracking affair for most, but not so for Lynda MacDonald, interior designer and principal of The Design Chaperone. MacDonald enjoyed reworking this five-bedroom, two-storey home in Queensland for two childhood friends and their children, aged eight and 10. “It was fantastic to be able to create their forever home with them. They’re blown away by the final results and feel such a sense of pride in their home,” says MacDonald. Here’s how she did it.
How did you use Houzz for this project?
I used Houzz to specify all the furniture selections and as a quick way for my client to approve or decline them as we moved through each room in the project.
My favourite feature is the Product Clipper tool. Being able to see a product online and quickly save it to my product database or directly to a client’s Mood Board is a game-changer!
Is your home crying out for a makeover? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
I used Houzz to specify all the furniture selections and as a quick way for my client to approve or decline them as we moved through each room in the project.
My favourite feature is the Product Clipper tool. Being able to see a product online and quickly save it to my product database or directly to a client’s Mood Board is a game-changer!
Is your home crying out for a makeover? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Arlington Grove Rigid hybrid flooring: Heartridge Floors.
The home was in a great location near the children’s schools and the owners’ extended family. However, it had not been renovated for 25 years and was showing its age with dated finishes and a less-than-perfect layout. The owners were keen to improve the floor plan, maximise the water views, and create indoor-outdoor living spaces for entertaining.
“The owners love a black-and-white theme and wanted to stick to their contemporary styling, but add in character with a modern farmhouse style. They wanted the home to be a beautiful showpiece while remaining functional for their family,” she says.
The home was in a great location near the children’s schools and the owners’ extended family. However, it had not been renovated for 25 years and was showing its age with dated finishes and a less-than-perfect layout. The owners were keen to improve the floor plan, maximise the water views, and create indoor-outdoor living spaces for entertaining.
“The owners love a black-and-white theme and wanted to stick to their contemporary styling, but add in character with a modern farmhouse style. They wanted the home to be a beautiful showpiece while remaining functional for their family,” she says.
Zillman Pebble Herringbone stair runner with 50-millimetre grey cotton edge binding: Brintons; Homepride stair rods in Antique finish: Stairrods; Snowy Mountains Quarter paint on walls throughout with Dulux Lexicon Quarter on trims: both Dulux.
“Originally, they had two front sitting rooms that were hardly being used and the views were blocked by a dated staircase as soon as you stepped into the entry. Moving the staircase made the biggest improvement to how the space felt – the water views to the water are now what draw you through the home,” says MacDonald.
“Originally, they had two front sitting rooms that were hardly being used and the views were blocked by a dated staircase as soon as you stepped into the entry. Moving the staircase made the biggest improvement to how the space felt – the water views to the water are now what draw you through the home,” says MacDonald.
A new wine cellar under the stairs was a big-ticket item in the budget, but a luxury the owners didn’t want to be without.
“We really spread the furniture budget evenly throughout the house, but we did invest in a few high-quality designer pieces in the living rooms, such as the Kelly Wearstler Linden Table Lamps and the pendant lights,” says MacDonald.
“We really spread the furniture budget evenly throughout the house, but we did invest in a few high-quality designer pieces in the living rooms, such as the Kelly Wearstler Linden Table Lamps and the pendant lights,” says MacDonald.
The kitchen was left in the same location, but was completely gutted and redesigned with a new layout and cabinetry. When it came to the colours and finishes for the kitchen, says MacDonald, the owners’ brief was “black, white and interesting”.
One of the original, rarely used front rooms was turned into a generous butler’s pantry, providing plenty of space to store all their cooking appliances. “This is where the owners do most of their cooking, so the main kitchen becomes a beautiful space for friends and family to gather,” says MacDonald.
One of the original, rarely used front rooms was turned into a generous butler’s pantry, providing plenty of space to store all their cooking appliances. “This is where the owners do most of their cooking, so the main kitchen becomes a beautiful space for friends and family to gather,” says MacDonald.
The butler’s pantry. Light Blue Herringbone wall tiles: Inspired Home Selections; shelves in Natural Walnut: Laminex; handles: Handle House.
With two children and a regular influx of dinner guests to cater for, the owners were keen for the ‘working’ butler’s pantry to be kitted out with everything they would need to cook up a storm. As such, it houses two fridges, two ovens and plenty of easy-access, open shelving for their containers.
With two children and a regular influx of dinner guests to cater for, the owners were keen for the ‘working’ butler’s pantry to be kitted out with everything they would need to cook up a storm. As such, it houses two fridges, two ovens and plenty of easy-access, open shelving for their containers.
Franco bar stools: Coco Republic; benchtops and splashback in Michelangelo Quartz: Quantum Quartz; cabinetry in a two-pack finish in Snowy Mountain Quarter and Black Caviar: Dulux; Michelangelo pendants: Bloomingdales Lighting; Mecca sink mixer in Brushed Gold: Nero.
Art prints: Palette by Jono Fleming.
A servery window installed in the kitchen means the cooking space now connects seamlessly with the entertainer’s terrace. A narrow benchtop on the terrace side creates the perfect spot for quick, casual meals in summertime.
A servery window installed in the kitchen means the cooking space now connects seamlessly with the entertainer’s terrace. A narrow benchtop on the terrace side creates the perfect spot for quick, casual meals in summertime.
Outdoor sofa and armchairs: Dune Outdoor Luxuries; coffee tables: Coco Republic.
The addition of a new balcony on the upper level allowed the client to expand their covered alfresco entertaining terrace downstairs. MacDonald carried through the same monochromatic palette from inside to out for a sense of cohesion. “A barbecue was the owners’ one essential for this area,” she says.
The addition of a new balcony on the upper level allowed the client to expand their covered alfresco entertaining terrace downstairs. MacDonald carried through the same monochromatic palette from inside to out for a sense of cohesion. “A barbecue was the owners’ one essential for this area,” she says.
The external walls were straightened to create a more contemporary space and the walls were opened up to bring in the light by adding a huge bank of oversize stacker doors.
An adults-only living room provides the owners with a peaceful spot to relax on weeknights and entertain at weekends. “White sofas and lots of texture added in with cushions, lighting, rugs and cabinetry details create a calm, welcoming feel,” says MacDonald.
As for the owners’ must-haves in this space? “Two large sofas where they could lie down and watch TV,” says MacDonald.
An adults-only living room provides the owners with a peaceful spot to relax on weeknights and entertain at weekends. “White sofas and lots of texture added in with cushions, lighting, rugs and cabinetry details create a calm, welcoming feel,” says MacDonald.
As for the owners’ must-haves in this space? “Two large sofas where they could lie down and watch TV,” says MacDonald.
Stratton sofa: Domayne; cushions: Eadie Lifestyle; Amsterdam coffee table: Coco Republic; Neve marble side tables: West Elm; Kelly Wearstler large Linden table lamps: Bloomingdales Lighting; Coastal Palette V & IV artworks: Designer Boys.
Vittoria sofas, four Odessa Coffee tables, Renoir rug, Notting Hill table lamp, Arden Mirrored side table: all Coco Republic; cushions: Eadie Lifestyle; Darlana Lantern: Bloomingdales Lighting; Neutral Splendour II Print and Dusk Fusion artwork: Designer Boys.
“We call this the cocktail lounge – it’s the main room as you enter the house,” says MacDonald. “It not only provides somewhere for friends to congregate for drinks, but it’s a chance to make a great first impression design-wise.”
“We call this the cocktail lounge – it’s the main room as you enter the house,” says MacDonald. “It not only provides somewhere for friends to congregate for drinks, but it’s a chance to make a great first impression design-wise.”
An updated palette of rich earthy tones, tactile leather and accents of brushed gold sets a cocooning and inviting tone.
MacDonald finished off the space with new custom curtains and wall panelling.
MacDonald finished off the space with new custom curtains and wall panelling.
Feature joinery wall painted in Black Caviar: Dulux; custom shelving in Laminex Black 460 Pure Grain finish: D & L Custom Cabinets; coffee table: GlobeWest.
The library on the upper level provides a cosy spot for the family to play board games and read books before the children go to bed.
The library on the upper level provides a cosy spot for the family to play board games and read books before the children go to bed.
Guest bedroom. Slim Aarons print: Fineprint Co; cushions: Eadie Lifestyle.
The guest bedroom on the ground floor was given a simple refresh with a fresh lick of paint on the walls, new lighting and art, plus natural fabrics in the bedding.
The guest bedroom on the ground floor was given a simple refresh with a fresh lick of paint on the walls, new lighting and art, plus natural fabrics in the bedding.
Main bedroom. Chatsworth Arthur wool carpet throughout upper level: World Carpets; bed: Domayne; custom bedhead design: The Design Chaperone; bedside tables, bench and rug: Coco Republic; artwork: Biku Furniture and Homewares; bed linen: Sheridan and Bemboka; cushions: Eadie Lifestyle; custom curtains.
MacDonald stepped things up a notch in her client’s main bedroom, while still carrying through the home’s simple, monochromatic theme, by adding an upholstered bedhead and new curtains in gentle shades of grey. “The brief was for neutral tones with luxe styling,” she says.
MacDonald stepped things up a notch in her client’s main bedroom, while still carrying through the home’s simple, monochromatic theme, by adding an upholstered bedhead and new curtains in gentle shades of grey. “The brief was for neutral tones with luxe styling,” she says.
The main ensuite.
The adjoining ensuite features an extra-wide vanity, complete with a seated make-up area and a dramatic black herringbone tiled floor. “Bright and elegant were the main focuses here,” says MacDonald.
The adjoining ensuite features an extra-wide vanity, complete with a seated make-up area and a dramatic black herringbone tiled floor. “Bright and elegant were the main focuses here,” says MacDonald.
Executive Stone Calacatta Marble wall tiles: Stone World; Michelangelo Quartz vanity top: Quantum Quartz; Cora Countertop basins: ACL Co; Mecca Brushed Gold tapware: Nero; Verre Rectangular wall light: Emac & Lawton; Clifton Round Ottoman: Coco Republic; Black Matt Tiles laid in a herringbone pattern: RAL.
Whimsical Punchinello 103/2010 wallpaper: Cole & Son; bone Inlay mirror: Mahalia Interiors; felt animal head: Fiona Walker England; bed: Domayne; Manhattan Loft bedhead and seat at the end of the bed: both Coco Republic; bed linen: Sheridan; throw: Bemboka; lamp: Canvas & Son.
Diamond-print wallpaper and layers of soft pink and dusty blue set a sweet note in the daughter’s bedroom. “We also included shelves to hang her collection of soft toys,” says MacDonald.
Diamond-print wallpaper and layers of soft pink and dusty blue set a sweet note in the daughter’s bedroom. “We also included shelves to hang her collection of soft toys,” says MacDonald.
The daughter’s ensuite. Ivory tiles: New Travertino; two-pack joinery in Smokebush finish: Dulux; Mecca Brushed Gold tapware: Nero; Pill-Shaped wall mirrors in Satin Brass: Future Glass; Chrysler wall light with ribbed glass shade: Beacon Lighting.
MacDonald designed the daughter’s ensuite with an eye to the future, adding a generous vanity with plenty of storage space, along with neutral tones that won’t date.
MacDonald designed the daughter’s ensuite with an eye to the future, adding a generous vanity with plenty of storage space, along with neutral tones that won’t date.
1500 Back-to-Wall Keeto Bath: Fienza; stool: Fenton & Fenton; Delicate Butterfly IV Gold print: Designer Boys.
Filbert 7401 02 68 wallpaper: Casamance; Slim Aarons print: Fineprint Co; bed: Domayne; bedhead and bedside tables: Coco Republic; bed linen: Sheridan and Pottery Barn; Cuba Table Lamp: Emac & Lawton; vintage leather ottomans at end of bed.
“For the son’s bedroom, the brief was to create a sophisticated room to suit an older child,” says MacDonald. “We installed wallpaper, painted an existing bookcase in a beautiful navy blue and added new furniture.”
“For the son’s bedroom, the brief was to create a sophisticated room to suit an older child,” says MacDonald. “We installed wallpaper, painted an existing bookcase in a beautiful navy blue and added new furniture.”
The son’s ensuite.
On the lower level, floor-to-ceiling stone tiles bring a sense of opulence to the powder room.
The house opens onto a beautiful swimming pool and spa area, featuring a mix of hardscaping and natural ground cover.
Your turn
Do you love the elevated country feel of this home as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another great home design? Check out this Auckland Houzz: A Classic Villa With Add-Ons Sheds Its Ugly Past
Do you love the elevated country feel of this home as much as we do? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like to see another great home design? Check out this Auckland Houzz: A Classic Villa With Add-Ons Sheds Its Ugly Past
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two children, aged eight and 10 years
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Five bedrooms and five bathrooms
Budget: Around AU$750,000 for construction and between AU$150,000 and AU$200,000 for furniture and interior design
Size of the house: 420 square metres
Building design: Brock Heap Design
Interior design: Lynda MacDonald at The Design Chaperone
Builder: Symcorp Building Services
Cabinetry: D & L Custom Cabinets