My Houzz: A Dream Home 25 Years in the Making
A couple who partly renovated their old weatherboard home finally completed it to suit their empty-nester lifestyle
Brisbane couple Bernie and Louise Thatcher had developed a love/hate relationship with their incomplete family home. Starting out as an ambitious owner-build project in the late 1980s, when funds dried up the home didn’t quite make it to completion before the young couple had to move in with their then two-year-old and six-month-old sons. “We learnt to get by with a camping oven and did what we could in order of priority,” recalls Louise.
By 1994 this family of four had grown to six, and the home gradually went from building site status to child-friendly. But alas, it always seemed as though something else needed attention and the renovations were put on the back burner. It was only once the children became adults and flew the coop that the dream of finally finishing what they had started became a reality for Bernie and Louise.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bernie and Louise Thatcher
Location: Alexandra Hills, Queensland
Size: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
By 1994 this family of four had grown to six, and the home gradually went from building site status to child-friendly. But alas, it always seemed as though something else needed attention and the renovations were put on the back burner. It was only once the children became adults and flew the coop that the dream of finally finishing what they had started became a reality for Bernie and Louise.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bernie and Louise Thatcher
Location: Alexandra Hills, Queensland
Size: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
The transformation seen from the exterior alone is enough to impress any passersby. Changing the original house colours from a dusty pink and pine green was a simple way to update the home’s kerb appeal. A more contemporary look was achieved with the fresh combination of ‘Windspray’ grey by Dulux on the outside poles, the roof, gutters and fascia, ‘Raku’ on the front of the carport combined with ‘White Duck’ on the external timber walls.
The carport area of the original house was closed in and is now the fourth bedroom, which has a private living area and bathroom. A double garage was also added to the side of the house.
The carport area of the original house was closed in and is now the fourth bedroom, which has a private living area and bathroom. A double garage was also added to the side of the house.
To enhance the front of the house even further, a mini deck was added on the top level above the front door. “We wanted to make a statement of the entry, which previously was very rustic and not so welcoming,” explains Louise.
The house was built 25 years ago and Louise says it lacked storage and needed a better flow from space to space. On entering the new and improved version, the space certainly feels free flowing and open.
To the right of the front entrance is a rumpus room, which was originally one of the kids’ rooms. It is mostly used as a storage space and also showcases Bernie’s impressive collection of model cars.
To the right of the front entrance is a rumpus room, which was originally one of the kids’ rooms. It is mostly used as a storage space and also showcases Bernie’s impressive collection of model cars.
The fourth bedroom, which was once the open carport, is also accessible from glass sliding doors at the front of the home, providing an alternative entrance and exit to the rest of the house. This area was one of the kids’ bedrooms as well, and Louise re-designed the space with Bernie’s late father in mind – they had hoped he could move in with them when he became unwell.
There’s also a wardrobe area behind the blue half wall. The couple’s second son, Andrew, occasionally occupies this space when he is not travelling for business. Louise says this works well, as they have become accustomed to the empty-nesters’ lifestyle. “We do love having him here, but it’s nice to get the house back to ourselves when he leaves,” she adds.
There’s also a wardrobe area behind the blue half wall. The couple’s second son, Andrew, occasionally occupies this space when he is not travelling for business. Louise says this works well, as they have become accustomed to the empty-nesters’ lifestyle. “We do love having him here, but it’s nice to get the house back to ourselves when he leaves,” she adds.
The stairs lead up to the second floor, which is the main living area of the house. The kitchen and dining areas sit off to the right and the spacious lounge room is to the left.
The timber wall in the lounge was pronounced by one architect as dated, which Louise says “is true, but we couldn’t bear to cover it up with plaster board considering Bernie’s dad and brothers helped to install it.”
The Invicta Pharos fireplace from Gold Coast Fireplace and BBQ Centre was a special purchase, which the couple love and spent many months researching and agonising over where to place it.
The timber wall in the lounge was pronounced by one architect as dated, which Louise says “is true, but we couldn’t bear to cover it up with plaster board considering Bernie’s dad and brothers helped to install it.”
The Invicta Pharos fireplace from Gold Coast Fireplace and BBQ Centre was a special purchase, which the couple love and spent many months researching and agonising over where to place it.
This large living area was extended past the original back wall, which used to end where the white pole now stands. The poles were once raw, but have now been painted in ‘Antique White USA’ from Dulux, to blend in with the interior walls.
The kitchen has remained in the same spot with much the same layout, but the cabinetry was freshened up, along with the colour of the wall next to the stairs. Another notable update is the modern balustrade on the staircase.
The couple managed to upgrade the kitchen while retaining the base cabinets, original splashback and appliances. The cabinetry was done by their nephew Dan from Thatcher Interiors.
This clever use of space at the end of the kitchen bench provides a nice area to keep and display special treasures. It is brightly lit by the generous natural light from this eastern-facing window.
The dining room is much more spacious then before and really has its own designated area away from the lounge room. It also takes in great views of the outdoor living areas, giving it a sense of both indoor and outdoor living. “We were able to incorporate insulation where there was none and utilise cross-flow ventilation better,” explains Louise.
The original family dining chairs have been kept and teamed with this Todd dining table from Freedom. The sideboard under the bi-fold window used to be their TV cabinet.
The original family dining chairs have been kept and teamed with this Todd dining table from Freedom. The sideboard under the bi-fold window used to be their TV cabinet.
At the back the house was opened up as well as extended, with the addition of a dining space, large decking area and a spacious laundry on the far end.
Louise says that her style is mostly influenced by nature. It is clear that her love of open spaces and greenery has certainly played a large part in the new open layout of this part of the home.
“Our house now enjoys modern conveniences, with clear connections of the indoor and outdoor spaces,” she says, “plus it has a unique one-off design that is full of character and comfort.”
“Our house now enjoys modern conveniences, with clear connections of the indoor and outdoor spaces,” she says, “plus it has a unique one-off design that is full of character and comfort.”
There are several areas around the outside of the house that are primed for entertaining, all of which are well shaded yet breezy and relaxed. The pool was added to the property 12 years ago, and the couple are yet to pave the surrounding area, but it’s part of the plans for the next outdoor area update.
“Our biggest splurge was the undercover deck and pool pavilion,” says Louise. This pavilion really adds a resort-like feel to the pool area, which is used a lot in the warmer months.
The bright and open laundry layout actually lends itself to being used for a few different purposes. Louise likes to occasionally sit at the bench with her laptop while taking in the view and breeze.
The couple have also used it as a bar area when entertaining guests, and can fit a small bar fridge underneath the benchtop.
Some of Louise’s ideas for changes to the floor plan were initially met with opposition from Bernie. She wanted to move the family bathroom from the central position at the top of the staircase, as she felt it would free up wasted space and allow for a lot more light and air flow through the house.
“Everyone says moving a bathroom is a big no-no, due to plumbing,” says Louise. “Once Bernie got a grasp of the master plan, it happened and worked out even better than I had imagined. Bernie now understands the luxury of space I harped on about.”
The brand new family bathroom is modern and still spacious enough to fit this claw-foot bath tub, which Louise says was another splurge. Despite not having any windows, the space doesn’t feel dark or cramped. There’s a narrow cavity in the ceiling for ventilation, and this allows some natural light to filter in from the mezzanine level above.
The brand new family bathroom is modern and still spacious enough to fit this claw-foot bath tub, which Louise says was another splurge. Despite not having any windows, the space doesn’t feel dark or cramped. There’s a narrow cavity in the ceiling for ventilation, and this allows some natural light to filter in from the mezzanine level above.
Part of this level was also turned into a mezzanine to provide more storage. The stair balustrade was designed with long vertical hardwood battens that vertically run through all three levels of the home, tying the spaces together visually.
Artwork: Russell Kereama
Artwork: Russell Kereama
Louise loves the flow of space and light that has opened up on the top level of the home since they moved the family bathroom. It also leads to the small deck they added above the front door.
The artwork pictured here was painted by their eldest son, Shaun.
The artwork pictured here was painted by their eldest son, Shaun.
Both Louise and Bernie are quick to name their bedroom as their favourite new feature. “We absolutely love our bedroom. It has become quite a retreat for us,” says Louise. With their own sitting area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and luxurious ensuite, it’s not hard to guess why they love this space so much.
Denver bed: Max Sparrow
Denver bed: Max Sparrow
This original 1950s sofa was re-upholstered to be used in a bar room, but it sat in their office at work for four years. Louise had intentions to get it re-upholstered again, but instantly knew it would work in their bedroom once the layout was complete.
In the ensuite, there is a tiled nook leading from the shower to the louvered window. It provides more light and prevents further wastage of space, while also enhancing the relaxed ambience of this part of the home.
Down the hall are two guest bedrooms. A print from Temple & Webster is the focal point of this room, its serene blue tones carried through to the bedlinen tying the decor together.
The second guest bedroom is decorated with darker, earthier tones and guests generally tend to have a good night’s sleep in here.
Louise admits that she and Bernie learned much about themselves as a young couple when they first started renovating. “The great Australian dream requires great commitment and hard yakka along with realistic expectations, planning, budget and available time – the best laid plans of mice and men,” she laughs.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
They also had an architect come in early during the planning stages, but Louise and Bernie felt that they didn’t share the same vision. So it was back to the drawing board, with many hours spent on free design software and websites – including Houzz, of course. Mark also helped the pair to fine-tune their plans, along with a draftsman. The job spanned 14 months, and that was after approvals from the council were procured.