Join Us in Celebrating Houzz Australia's 1st Birthday
To celebrate our first birthday, we take a look back at some of the most memorable homes we’ve visited this year
Jenny Drew
27 August 2015
Home & Lifestyle Editor. Recovering cushion addict.
Houzzers, this one’s dedicated to you. It’s been a year since Houzz launched on these shores, and in honour of the incredible local projects and ideas shared by homeowners and professionals alike over the past 12 months, we’re taking a moment to look back and reflect on some of our favourite moments.
Join us in celebrating our very first birthday as we take a look back at the homes and homeowners you loved this year, both in Australia and New Zealand, and our favourite comments on them by Houzzers.
JOIN IN: What’s been your most memorable Houzz Australia moment so far? Tell us in the Comments.
JOIN IN: What’s been your most memorable Houzz Australia moment so far? Tell us in the Comments.
Since we’re feeling festive, let’s kick off with some of the most fun and friendly homes we’ve seen so far…
1. Getting crafty in Mount Eliza, Victoria (above)
Houzzers loved the relaxed and eclectic vibe of this Victorian family home that’s filled with a mix of vintage collectables, souvenirs and homespun features. Read the full story.
“A wonderful, creative and original home made all the more special by the way the family supported this dream and sacrificed to make it happen. Well done to your parents and to your dream for ‘home’,” says Houzzer suzannegaye
2. Family fun in Blenheim, New Zealand (left)
“Our house makes us smile,” says designer Alex Fulton of the home she transformed into a family fun house using a menagerie of ‘stuff’; from animal heads to colourful collectables. Well, we can’t argue with that outcome, can we? Read the full story.
“Totally full of joy and awesomeness!” says Houzzer Studio Home
1. Getting crafty in Mount Eliza, Victoria (above)
Houzzers loved the relaxed and eclectic vibe of this Victorian family home that’s filled with a mix of vintage collectables, souvenirs and homespun features. Read the full story.
“A wonderful, creative and original home made all the more special by the way the family supported this dream and sacrificed to make it happen. Well done to your parents and to your dream for ‘home’,” says Houzzer suzannegaye
2. Family fun in Blenheim, New Zealand (left)
“Our house makes us smile,” says designer Alex Fulton of the home she transformed into a family fun house using a menagerie of ‘stuff’; from animal heads to colourful collectables. Well, we can’t argue with that outcome, can we? Read the full story.
“Totally full of joy and awesomeness!” says Houzzer Studio Home
3. Big and little kids in Five Dock, Sydney (above)
Rochelle Wawrzyniak admits that she and her husband, Wojciech, are nerds whose shared love of comic books, toys and quirky art is something they wanted to share with their two sons Roman, 5, and Adrian, 2. “I would want them to remember their first home as something fun and free without having to tiptoe around Mum and Dad’s stuff,” says Rochelle. Read the full story.
“Cheerfully inviting and a great home to poke around asking for stories. Love it,” says Houzzer maudiej
4. A friendly reno in Richmond, Melbourne (left)
This home brings new meaning to the words ‘welcoming exterior’. The homeowners were motivated by giving something back to their community: “Because it’s on the corner and there’s a cafe opposite, the whole neighbourhood walks past it on their way to the cafe,” says architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture. “The clients wanted to do something that contributed to that mini civic centre.” Read the full story.
“Just around the corner from my place; I’ve watched the transformation for years and now my curiosity has been sated,” says Houzzer andrewbd
Rochelle Wawrzyniak admits that she and her husband, Wojciech, are nerds whose shared love of comic books, toys and quirky art is something they wanted to share with their two sons Roman, 5, and Adrian, 2. “I would want them to remember their first home as something fun and free without having to tiptoe around Mum and Dad’s stuff,” says Rochelle. Read the full story.
“Cheerfully inviting and a great home to poke around asking for stories. Love it,” says Houzzer maudiej
4. A friendly reno in Richmond, Melbourne (left)
This home brings new meaning to the words ‘welcoming exterior’. The homeowners were motivated by giving something back to their community: “Because it’s on the corner and there’s a cafe opposite, the whole neighbourhood walks past it on their way to the cafe,” says architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture. “The clients wanted to do something that contributed to that mini civic centre.” Read the full story.
“Just around the corner from my place; I’ve watched the transformation for years and now my curiosity has been sated,” says Houzzer andrewbd
Let’s say hip hip hooray to the homes that didn’t accept things the way they were …
5. Reimagined on Phillip Island, Victoria (above)
Landscape architect Charles Anderson and his wife Tiziana Launech scoured Phillip Island for years to find a chicory kiln they could transform into a unique holiday home. With the help of architect and friend Andrew Simpson, they worked hard to restore the original structure respectfully, while building around it to create a modern and social retreat. Read the full story.
“Wow the before photos really make you appreciate the AFTER!! Stunning!!” says Houzzer thereddys
6. Bring Swedish summer house style to Sydney (left)
Keen to bring a taste of his roots to Sydney, furniture designer Frag Woodall sought to create a Swedish-style home away from home that was calm, relaxed and filled with natural light in summer, and had a ‘hygge’ atmosphere in winter. Read the full story.
“Looking though this home [even just though the photographer’s lens] has made me happy. Thanks for brightening my day :D,” says Houzzer Carol Leigh
5. Reimagined on Phillip Island, Victoria (above)
Landscape architect Charles Anderson and his wife Tiziana Launech scoured Phillip Island for years to find a chicory kiln they could transform into a unique holiday home. With the help of architect and friend Andrew Simpson, they worked hard to restore the original structure respectfully, while building around it to create a modern and social retreat. Read the full story.
“Wow the before photos really make you appreciate the AFTER!! Stunning!!” says Houzzer thereddys
6. Bring Swedish summer house style to Sydney (left)
Keen to bring a taste of his roots to Sydney, furniture designer Frag Woodall sought to create a Swedish-style home away from home that was calm, relaxed and filled with natural light in summer, and had a ‘hygge’ atmosphere in winter. Read the full story.
“Looking though this home [even just though the photographer’s lens] has made me happy. Thanks for brightening my day :D,” says Houzzer Carol Leigh
… and to the homes that stick to their roots
7. Respecting its surrounds in Puhoi, New Zealand
Houzzers loved this peaceful sanctuary in the wilderness, the home of Steve and Donna McClean, proud owners of a bustling boutique chocolate factory and café. They found a secluded plot of land, which had its engineering challenges, having been positioned on a steep ridge, and managed to build the home of their dreams with the help of their family and sheer dedication. Read the full story.
“Really like that photos were taken on a misty day rather than bright sunlight -–adds such character to the house,” says Houzzer Pacific Environments NZ Limited
7. Respecting its surrounds in Puhoi, New Zealand
Houzzers loved this peaceful sanctuary in the wilderness, the home of Steve and Donna McClean, proud owners of a bustling boutique chocolate factory and café. They found a secluded plot of land, which had its engineering challenges, having been positioned on a steep ridge, and managed to build the home of their dreams with the help of their family and sheer dedication. Read the full story.
“Really like that photos were taken on a misty day rather than bright sunlight -–adds such character to the house,” says Houzzer Pacific Environments NZ Limited
8. A historic ‘Aussie battler’, Christmas Hill, Victoria
Since it was built by sea captain Harvie in 1870, this historic home has stood tall over the Yarra Valley, fending off bushfires in its wake, and is not going anywhere soon. It’s rumoured that there’s a Blarney Stone, which is also known as the stone of eloquence, from Castle Blarney in Ireland, embedded at the top of the tower. The Irish legend suggests that kissing the stone gives you the ‘gift of the gab’. Well that says it all. Read the full story.
“Absolutely gorgeous. Love the layers of colour, the antiques, the spectacular views, everything. Beautiful!” says Houzzer bigredkate
Since it was built by sea captain Harvie in 1870, this historic home has stood tall over the Yarra Valley, fending off bushfires in its wake, and is not going anywhere soon. It’s rumoured that there’s a Blarney Stone, which is also known as the stone of eloquence, from Castle Blarney in Ireland, embedded at the top of the tower. The Irish legend suggests that kissing the stone gives you the ‘gift of the gab’. Well that says it all. Read the full story.
“Absolutely gorgeous. Love the layers of colour, the antiques, the spectacular views, everything. Beautiful!” says Houzzer bigredkate
Let’s hear it for the innovators …
9. A very green house on a very green street, Peregian Beach, Queensland
Situated within a ‘green community’, the residents of Spoonbill Street all have one thing in common: they are committed to protecting their environment and how they live in it. The result is this robust timber home design by Bark Design Architects that responds to its climate and environment through its choice of materials, orientation and organic vegetation. Read the full story.
“Even though a big house it fits seamlessly into the environment, great to see high end architecture being so environmentally sympathetic. It is just refreshing,” says Houzzer wuff
10. On the straight and narrow in Kensington, Melbourne
We were left inspired after hearing the story of architects Tim Hill and Dominique Ng, who, after dreaming of building a home of their own, bought a small plot, demolished the existing building and began a joyful and exhilarating journey to push the narrow site to its boundaries. The home makes the most of the site’s potential and nods to the environment, too. Read the full story.
“I love this project. So beautiful :) It’s definitely an architects home!” says Houzzer Julia Anna
9. A very green house on a very green street, Peregian Beach, Queensland
Situated within a ‘green community’, the residents of Spoonbill Street all have one thing in common: they are committed to protecting their environment and how they live in it. The result is this robust timber home design by Bark Design Architects that responds to its climate and environment through its choice of materials, orientation and organic vegetation. Read the full story.
“Even though a big house it fits seamlessly into the environment, great to see high end architecture being so environmentally sympathetic. It is just refreshing,” says Houzzer wuff
10. On the straight and narrow in Kensington, Melbourne
We were left inspired after hearing the story of architects Tim Hill and Dominique Ng, who, after dreaming of building a home of their own, bought a small plot, demolished the existing building and began a joyful and exhilarating journey to push the narrow site to its boundaries. The home makes the most of the site’s potential and nods to the environment, too. Read the full story.
“I love this project. So beautiful :) It’s definitely an architects home!” says Houzzer Julia Anna
… and the creatives…
11. A jewellery designer’s boho paradise in Byron Bay
Having travelled far and wide to many beautiful and exotic locations, Celeste Twikler has always found it difficult to commit to just one place. That is, until she found a home she loved so much that she also set up her home studio there and now works from home. Read the full story.
“Wow!!! your place is simply amazing and a reflection on the beautiful people you are. If you are interested to ‘house-swap’ let me know,” says Houzzer inge_cain
12. Compact and clever in Fitzroy, Melbourne
What happens when you only have 13 square metres with which to create a bedroom, dining room, office and media room? You make the most of every centimetre, that’s what. “It’s all about quality over quantity,” says architect and homeowner Michael Roper. Read the full story.
“Loving the use of curtains here! The thickness of the drapes makes the space warm and inviting. They hide the mess too,” says Sushii Photo
11. A jewellery designer’s boho paradise in Byron Bay
Having travelled far and wide to many beautiful and exotic locations, Celeste Twikler has always found it difficult to commit to just one place. That is, until she found a home she loved so much that she also set up her home studio there and now works from home. Read the full story.
“Wow!!! your place is simply amazing and a reflection on the beautiful people you are. If you are interested to ‘house-swap’ let me know,” says Houzzer inge_cain
12. Compact and clever in Fitzroy, Melbourne
What happens when you only have 13 square metres with which to create a bedroom, dining room, office and media room? You make the most of every centimetre, that’s what. “It’s all about quality over quantity,” says architect and homeowner Michael Roper. Read the full story.
“Loving the use of curtains here! The thickness of the drapes makes the space warm and inviting. They hide the mess too,” says Sushii Photo
13. Collector’s cottage in Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Houzzers loved stepping back in time with collector Tracey Mandelberg. She started collecting things when she was 21 years of age and hasn’t stopped. A variety of 1950s homewares, toys and artefacts fill every corner of her country cottage. Read the full story.
“Tracey, I just love your house! A real home with lots of personality, unlike today’s ‘sterile’ look. And may I say as an owner of a whippet, Cricket and Cookie make it even more of a home. Thanks for sharing,” says Houzzer merrilleccleston
Houzzers loved stepping back in time with collector Tracey Mandelberg. She started collecting things when she was 21 years of age and hasn’t stopped. A variety of 1950s homewares, toys and artefacts fill every corner of her country cottage. Read the full story.
“Tracey, I just love your house! A real home with lots of personality, unlike today’s ‘sterile’ look. And may I say as an owner of a whippet, Cricket and Cookie make it even more of a home. Thanks for sharing,” says Houzzer merrilleccleston
… the neighbours who fell in love…
14. Love under a jacaranda tree, Brisbane, Queensland
We loved the story of Rob and Barb Orford who fell in love after Barb moved into the house next door to Rob’s. One morning during a spring clean, Barb was moving some plants around when neighbourly Rob jumped over the fence to suggest Barb move her indoor plants out of the sun – the rest, as they say, is history. Read the full story.
“Beautiful home Barb. Looks like a love nest! What amazing taste you have!” says Houzzer Madeleine Reynoldson
14. Love under a jacaranda tree, Brisbane, Queensland
We loved the story of Rob and Barb Orford who fell in love after Barb moved into the house next door to Rob’s. One morning during a spring clean, Barb was moving some plants around when neighbourly Rob jumped over the fence to suggest Barb move her indoor plants out of the sun – the rest, as they say, is history. Read the full story.
“Beautiful home Barb. Looks like a love nest! What amazing taste you have!” says Houzzer Madeleine Reynoldson
Finally, thanks for introducing us to all the furry friends we’ve met along the way…
Here’s to another great year!
TELL US
What has been your most memorable Houzz story of the year?
Here’s to another great year!
TELL US
What has been your most memorable Houzz story of the year?
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Houzz there are so many stories but the best thing is that it is locally based and makes each reader feel capable of being more creative in their own home and yard. Keep up the terrific work HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY HOUZZ
While most of the improvements have been good, I would happily THROTTLE whoever decided to put in the pop up menu bar that appears every time I touch my mouse or scroll down the page. What person EVER has had anything good to say about pop ups of any sort on any site or page? Obviously those working at Houzz don't use the site as we do or else this stupid arrangement would never have seen the light of day. The lovely big V button that takes us to the top of the page is all that is necessary. Its so frustrating and distracting that it takes all the enjoyment out of scrolling through the pages to a whole new level. Please get RID OF IT.
just wish my pc didn't stuff up every time i go on line with the houzz. cos i love it