Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A New Farm Apartment Designed for Work and Play
Apartment living gets a colourful designer makeover in the inner suburbs of Brisbane
As a busy interior designer Claire Stevens spends the majority of her time redesigning and decorating her clients’ homes in Brisbane and the city’s surrounds. However, when she moved into her husband Hamish McIntosh’s apartment in Brisbane three years ago, she was finally given the opportunity to take full ownership of her craft and, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Together they created a home that was stylish, functional and accommodating to both of their needs.
Stevens runs her company out of the comfort of her unit, proving that working from home can be as productive and enjoyable as office life. The spacious two-bedroom unit, which includes a wraparound balcony and office studio, has a calming and professional air about it, with accent pops of colour in carefully chosen pieces that truly represent the couple’s style.
Stevens runs her company out of the comfort of her unit, proving that working from home can be as productive and enjoyable as office life. The spacious two-bedroom unit, which includes a wraparound balcony and office studio, has a calming and professional air about it, with accent pops of colour in carefully chosen pieces that truly represent the couple’s style.
Stevens and her husband began renovating and updating their space gradually. Additions included a new kitchen, office studio, new flooring, wardrobes, ensuite and cabinetry in the lounge.
“We have such a beautiful outlook and amazing privacy in our unit that we really just wanted to create a beautiful place for us to live, entertain and work,” explains Stevens.
The living room is where the duo and their pooch spend the majority of their time. The mainly black and white colour palette throughout the apartment is broken up by colourful accessories that inject personality into the space.
As seen here, the bright cushions, which were custom designed by Stevens, and vibrant vintage poster are focal points of this room. Stevens and McInstosh bought the 1950s advertising poster on a special trip to Sydney and it now has pride of place on the wall as a decorative souvenir.
“We have such a beautiful outlook and amazing privacy in our unit that we really just wanted to create a beautiful place for us to live, entertain and work,” explains Stevens.
The living room is where the duo and their pooch spend the majority of their time. The mainly black and white colour palette throughout the apartment is broken up by colourful accessories that inject personality into the space.
As seen here, the bright cushions, which were custom designed by Stevens, and vibrant vintage poster are focal points of this room. Stevens and McInstosh bought the 1950s advertising poster on a special trip to Sydney and it now has pride of place on the wall as a decorative souvenir.
“We were able to spread out
the furniture placement in this room as well to ensure that the space didn’t feel too crowded,” says Stevens.
To do this, Stevens made good use of their large enclosed balcony. By opening up the glass sliding doors and moving the dining room outdoors, the living area appears open and spacious. “We are really lucky that we have the entire floor and have a beautiful balcony that runs around three sides of the apartment. This has allowed us to create outdoor rooms and makes the space feel much larger than it really is,” explains Stevens.
the furniture placement in this room as well to ensure that the space didn’t feel too crowded,” says Stevens.
To do this, Stevens made good use of their large enclosed balcony. By opening up the glass sliding doors and moving the dining room outdoors, the living area appears open and spacious. “We are really lucky that we have the entire floor and have a beautiful balcony that runs around three sides of the apartment. This has allowed us to create outdoor rooms and makes the space feel much larger than it really is,” explains Stevens.
The black and white colour palette started with the aluminium doors and spread throughout the rest of the apartment with the addition of custom made black and white cabinetry and other joinery features, including these timber floating shelves.
With the opportunity to head her own design space, Stevens (pictured) has been able to showcase her practised skills in the office, while also creating a liveable, chic and homely environment.
“It was great to be able to do up my own place and put our (myself and my husband’s) stamp on it. It was a gradual process, which we still like to add to and change occasionally,” she says. “There is no justifying costs or decisions either, however making decisions for yourself can be just as difficult and time-consuming as when you’re making them for someone else.”
“It was great to be able to do up my own place and put our (myself and my husband’s) stamp on it. It was a gradual process, which we still like to add to and change occasionally,” she says. “There is no justifying costs or decisions either, however making decisions for yourself can be just as difficult and time-consuming as when you’re making them for someone else.”
The large timber dining table and benches on the balcony provide Stevens and Hamish with the perfect entertaining quarters. This set-up works perfectly for the warmer climate of Brisbane and the cover means it can be enjoyed all year round.
“I love the light over the table, it helps to make the space feel more like an indoor room and looks very intimate lit up at night,” explains Stevens.
Lights: Town & Country Style
“I love the light over the table, it helps to make the space feel more like an indoor room and looks very intimate lit up at night,” explains Stevens.
Lights: Town & Country Style
The black and white open-plan kitchen basks in natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows letting the sun shine through. Stevens chose to add a black and white cowhide rug to add warmth to the room by breaking up the wood-finished flooring that continues throughout the living areas.
Find out how to brighten up your kitchen with natural light
Find out how to brighten up your kitchen with natural light
“I cook a lot in the kitchen as we do a fair amount of entertaining. It is small, however because it is so open to the living space, I can be in there while we have guests over and still be connected to the conversation, which is nice,” says Stevens.
The guest bedroom veers away from the black and white colour scheme with a fresh colour combination of soft greys and yellow. A colourful painting by Rachel Castle adds a focal point.
The main bedroom is kept simple and classic, with a navy headboard standing out in the neutral colour palette. Above the bed hangs one of Steven’s favourite pieces in the entire home; a painting by Australian artist Michael Muir.
The addition of the neutral carpet gives the room a cosy feel. The apartment originally had a grey/brown carpet that ran all the way through and plunged the scheme into darkness. Luckily, fate intervened: “I accidentally dropped an iron on the existing carpet one day – the carpet was completely synthetic, so when I lifted the iron off the carpet there was a very distinctive burn mark right in the middle of the hallway,” Stevens explains.
According to Stevens, her husband is a perfectionist and couldn’t stand the mark being there. He went on to install timber floorboards throughout the living areas and lighter carpet in the bedrooms. “It was a complete accident, however it worked out as a benefit to me in the long run,” says Stevens.
According to Stevens, her husband is a perfectionist and couldn’t stand the mark being there. He went on to install timber floorboards throughout the living areas and lighter carpet in the bedrooms. “It was a complete accident, however it worked out as a benefit to me in the long run,” says Stevens.
The eclectic mix of furniture is one of the apartment’s signature features and creates a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Stevens found this beautiful antique sideboard on eBay from a seller on the Gold Coast and made the 1.5-hour drive to pick it up.
Wooden sideboard: eBay
Stevens found this beautiful antique sideboard on eBay from a seller on the Gold Coast and made the 1.5-hour drive to pick it up.
Wooden sideboard: eBay
Tucked away next to the bedroom is the perfectly positioned workspace. The white plantation shutters and clear Louis Ghost Chair make the area look less cramped and give the illusion of more space.
More: 8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
More: 8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
One of the main hurdles the couple faced in the original design was the lack of storage. Smart storage and in-built cabinetry fills the study to house Stevens’ books, files and papers.
They also installed two large storage cupboards in their separate garage space which is located on the ground floor of the apartment block. This is where they keep items that they tend not to use everyday, a great way to minimise clutter in their main living spaces.
They also installed two large storage cupboards in their separate garage space which is located on the ground floor of the apartment block. This is where they keep items that they tend not to use everyday, a great way to minimise clutter in their main living spaces.
As an often-client-facing space, it’s important that the study is both inspirational and professional. This room shows that the two can come together in perfect harmony.
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Who lives there: Interior designer Claire Stevens and her husband Hamish McIntosh, with their chocolate Spoodle, George
Location: New Farm, Brisbane, Qld
Size: 120 square metres (2 bedrooms, balcony and home office/studio)