My Houzz: A Chic Tropical Oasis in the Heart of the ’Burbs
Quaint worker’s cottage on the outside, contemporary coastal abode inside – see how this interior designer-owner did it
With a fetching facade and bucketloads of potential, this 1890s worker’s cottage in Brisbane’s leafy suburb of Hawthorne was easy to fall in love with. This was the case for owner and interior designer Jordan Cash, principal at Beach Society Design Co. Knocking the interior into shape while honouring the home’s history took a little more effort. “This was a full makeover for the beautiful old gal, so we kept her gorgeous bones on the outside and gutted the inside,” says Cash.
Cash and her husband Dion purchased the house in 2016 and spent the next year making notes for a renovation that would open up the space and imbue it with the casual, coastal style they loved. Their meticulous efforts paid off: the renovation itself took just three months – which was swiftly followed by the arrival of their daughter Goldie three weeks later.
“We knocked down almost all the internal walls inside the house and started from scratch,” says Cash. “The original layout didn’t work and there was a lot of dead space that wasn’t being used to its full potential. So apart from the outside walls and the front bedroom, which we left largely untouched, everything inside is brand new. From the outside she looks like a charming, old worker’s cottage and on the inside she’s chic, modern and comfortable.”
Cash and her husband Dion purchased the house in 2016 and spent the next year making notes for a renovation that would open up the space and imbue it with the casual, coastal style they loved. Their meticulous efforts paid off: the renovation itself took just three months – which was swiftly followed by the arrival of their daughter Goldie three weeks later.
“We knocked down almost all the internal walls inside the house and started from scratch,” says Cash. “The original layout didn’t work and there was a lot of dead space that wasn’t being used to its full potential. So apart from the outside walls and the front bedroom, which we left largely untouched, everything inside is brand new. From the outside she looks like a charming, old worker’s cottage and on the inside she’s chic, modern and comfortable.”
The exterior of the house was the first thing Cash fell for. “It has that quintessential Queenslander charm, and that original cross bracing on the front of the house made me weak at the knees,” says Cash.
Apart from a lick of paint, the 120-year-old facade was one of the few spots the couple didn’t touch during works. “Not intruding on the home’s original character was really important to us,” she says.
Decking painted in Dulux Flooded Gum; other surfaces painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter
Apart from a lick of paint, the 120-year-old facade was one of the few spots the couple didn’t touch during works. “Not intruding on the home’s original character was really important to us,” she says.
Decking painted in Dulux Flooded Gum; other surfaces painted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter
Light, space and an indoor-outdoor connection were key to the relaxed, coastal vibe Cash was after. “Open-plan living allows the main spaces to flow freely into each other, making the home feel both spacious and intimate at the same time,” she says.
The open-plan kitchen/living/dining room runs the full length of the house – a clever design ploy Cash used to make the relatively small space feel bigger than it is. “Having a view right from the front door to the palm trees out the back helps visually elongate it,” she says.
Thinking of renovating? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help you bring your vision to life
The open-plan kitchen/living/dining room runs the full length of the house – a clever design ploy Cash used to make the relatively small space feel bigger than it is. “Having a view right from the front door to the palm trees out the back helps visually elongate it,” she says.
Thinking of renovating? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help you bring your vision to life
Cash was clear about her renovation must-haves from the outset, which helped her focus on the changes that really make an impact.
“Originally, the house was dark and boxy, so drawing in more light was my main priority,” she says.
“Second: big, open spaces. This little worker’s cottage is not large, so it was important that we opened the floor plan right up to create big, flowing open-plan living… but on a small scale.
“And third: French-oak floors. The original polished timber floors were mismatched and stained a nasty orange tone. Replacing them with delicious lime-washed engineered-oak floors completely elevated the space,” says Cash. “My most exciting day on-site was when these beauties were installed.”
Interior walls and ceilings throughout: Dulux Lexicon Quarter
“Originally, the house was dark and boxy, so drawing in more light was my main priority,” she says.
“Second: big, open spaces. This little worker’s cottage is not large, so it was important that we opened the floor plan right up to create big, flowing open-plan living… but on a small scale.
“And third: French-oak floors. The original polished timber floors were mismatched and stained a nasty orange tone. Replacing them with delicious lime-washed engineered-oak floors completely elevated the space,” says Cash. “My most exciting day on-site was when these beauties were installed.”
Interior walls and ceilings throughout: Dulux Lexicon Quarter
The floor plan after works
The calm, relaxed haven the family now calls home gives no hint of the brunt work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen. “Life was absolute chaos,” says Cash. “I was heavily pregnant, working four days a week and managing the renovation. I was on-site and climbing up ladders at seven months pregnant – and basically giving my builder a heart attack. We used to joke that I was his walking deadline.”
The calm, relaxed haven the family now calls home gives no hint of the brunt work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen. “Life was absolute chaos,” says Cash. “I was heavily pregnant, working four days a week and managing the renovation. I was on-site and climbing up ladders at seven months pregnant – and basically giving my builder a heart attack. We used to joke that I was his walking deadline.”
“We have a big, loud family that loves to eat,” says Cash. “So it felt natural to make the kitchen the heart of the new design, with all the rooms flowing off it on three sides.
Kitchen benchtop: Caesarstone in Cloudburst; joinery in kitchen and living room: Polytec in Black Wenge
Kitchen benchtop: Caesarstone in Cloudburst; joinery in kitchen and living room: Polytec in Black Wenge
“We wanted to build out as close to the pool as possible and create somewhere that doubled as a spot to relax in the sun or have a drink and chat to people in the pool. So I came up with this idea to create stadium-like seating that tiered down to the water,” says Cash.
“We chose spotted gum, which will bleach out over time and go that gorgeous silvery grey,” she says.
“We chose spotted gum, which will bleach out over time and go that gorgeous silvery grey,” she says.
“You can completely open up the back of the house to the pool and palm trees, so when you’re sitting on the living-room sofa it feels as though you’re outside – it’s heaven,” says Cash.
The home’s coastal-inspired palette consists of sandy ochres, olive green, grey and lashings of white. “I’m drawn to earthy, organic tones and love a natural, tonal palette. It sets a calm and peaceful mood, and looks beautiful with greenery,” says Cash.
Black accents in the joinery and furniture add depth. “In a sea of white and neutrals, black makes for a welcome contrast and breathes energy into the scheme,” says Cash.
Black accents in the joinery and furniture add depth. “In a sea of white and neutrals, black makes for a welcome contrast and breathes energy into the scheme,” says Cash.
The custom-made cupboards in the dining room provide more than just storage. “We didn’t have room for a separate laundry, so it’s hidden behind these cupboard doors,” says Cash.
Pendants: CLO Studios
Pendants: CLO Studios
The house is ideal for laid-back entertaining, says Cash. “Our home is a revolving door of family and friends – there are always people lounging on the sofa with a coffee or cooking something delicious in the kitchen.”
Sofa: King Living
Sofa: King Living
One of the couple’s biggest renovation splurges was new engineered French-oak flooring. “It was a non-negotiable for me as I knew it would have a dramatic impact on the overall transformation of the space,” says Cash.
To add texture to the hallway – while keeping with its beachside feel – Cash created a quirky display of hats on the wall. “I’ve always had a little obsession with gorgeous straw hats, which is silly really because I’ve never actually worn them,” says Cash.
The bench and pendant are from St Barts in Byron Bay, NSW.
To add texture to the hallway – while keeping with its beachside feel – Cash created a quirky display of hats on the wall. “I’ve always had a little obsession with gorgeous straw hats, which is silly really because I’ve never actually worn them,” says Cash.
The bench and pendant are from St Barts in Byron Bay, NSW.
In order to gain enough room to accomodate an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom, the house was extended right out to the pool.
To maximise the sense of space in the master suite – and accentuate the home’s ceilings, which are four metres high – the couple chose not to put doors on the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe and took the opening right up to the ceiling.
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To maximise the sense of space in the master suite – and accentuate the home’s ceilings, which are four metres high – the couple chose not to put doors on the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe and took the opening right up to the ceiling.
Browse more exquisite coastal-style Australian bedrooms
The ensuite
“We really saved money in our bathrooms,” says Cash. “There are so many amazing and affordable options these days that make it easy to create elegant and stylish bathrooms for not very much.”
The ensuite sink is from Concrete Nation and the tiles are from TileCloud.
“We really saved money in our bathrooms,” says Cash. “There are so many amazing and affordable options these days that make it easy to create elegant and stylish bathrooms for not very much.”
The ensuite sink is from Concrete Nation and the tiles are from TileCloud.
Goldie’s bedroom
“I’ve always loved the idea of children’s bedrooms being eclectic, bright and a bit left-of-field – like stepping inside the imagination of a child,” says Cash.
“I often refer to the look as ‘beautiful chaos’ because that’s exactly what life with kids is.”
“I’ve always loved the idea of children’s bedrooms being eclectic, bright and a bit left-of-field – like stepping inside the imagination of a child,” says Cash.
“I often refer to the look as ‘beautiful chaos’ because that’s exactly what life with kids is.”
So what would Cash do differently next time? “I honestly don’t know,” she says. “I think we did such a good job maximising this small space and creating an environment that feels both roomy and intimate.
“We put so much hard work into creating this dreamy little oasis and I’m so happy with how she’s turned out.”
“We put so much hard work into creating this dreamy little oasis and I’m so happy with how she’s turned out.”
Next up on the couple’s to-do list? “We really want to redesign our garage and build a gorgeous carport. I’m picturing something with breeze blocks,” says Cash. The perfect finishing touch to a home that nails easy, breezy living.
Your turn
Which features do you love most in this beautiful home? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to be inspired by more amazing renovations? Don’t miss last week’s Project of the Week: An Upside-Down Solution for a Skinny, Rundown Terrace
Your turn
Which features do you love most in this beautiful home? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to be inspired by more amazing renovations? Don’t miss last week’s Project of the Week: An Upside-Down Solution for a Skinny, Rundown Terrace
Who lives here: Interior designer Jordan Cash and her husband Dion, their one-year-old daughter Goldie, and samoyed dog Forrest
Location: Hawthorne, Queensland
Description: A single-storey, mid-1890s Queenslander with four bedrooms and two bathrooms
Builder: Houghton Homes
Budget: Approximately $300,000
Most of the budget went on: Construction, labour and materials for the structural changes needed to open up the internal spaces
“I had a very strong idea about how I wanted this house to look and, most importantly, feel,” says Cash. “I wanted it to feel calm and organic – like walking into a beach house at your favourite holiday destination. Think a dreamy, modern oasis in the middle of the ’burbs.”
The result is a home the family can enjoy for years to come. “This hanging chair is probably my favourite piece I bought for the house,” says Cash. “Goldie and I sit here in the afternoon sun, waiting for Dion to come home from work and waving to passers-by.”
Hanging chair: Byron Bay Hanging Chairs; rug: Armadillo&Co