My Houzz: Cliffside Home Designed for Comfort and Rejuvenation
A newly built home overlooking Australia’s Springbrook National Park is a dreamy nature retreat for a creative couple
On their last vacation to the lush surroundings of Springbrook, Australia, located high in the Gold Coast mountains, Andrew Moir suggested to Sonja Drexler that they move there. Drexler’s response was, “Are you crazy? I have a business in Brisbane — it’s too far!” Within a week of his comment, he had researched properties for sale in the area, returned to the area for an inspection, and persuaded Drexler to sit on the cliff edge of a very steep lot and embrace the view. “It was like my own Picnic at Hanging Rock,” Drexler says. They bought their piece of land that week.
The couple wanted to incorporate the feeling of a vacation retreat when designing their new abode. “The things that made us feel relaxed and nurtured when traveling and holidaying were the things we considered including,” Drexler says. The location alone heightens the feeling of relaxation, but beyond that, the home takes in vast views of the rainforest and neighboring valley from almost every room. They also have their own sauna, a private rainforest walk and an observation deck that hangs over the national park below.
The couple wanted to incorporate the feeling of a vacation retreat when designing their new abode. “The things that made us feel relaxed and nurtured when traveling and holidaying were the things we considered including,” Drexler says. The location alone heightens the feeling of relaxation, but beyond that, the home takes in vast views of the rainforest and neighboring valley from almost every room. They also have their own sauna, a private rainforest walk and an observation deck that hangs over the national park below.
The couple feels that they have a stronger sense of community now, compared with when they were in the city. “We know our neighbors, we help each other out and we share our bore water,” Drexler says. Their next-door neighbor Herbert built the coffee table seen here from the wood of a tree that was cut down on their property when the house was built.
Nature is important for both Drexler and Moir, and they felt a responsibility to minimize the impact on their new surroundings, so they used sustainable products wherever possible. “We’d like to have solar power, but unfortunately we’re limited as we don’t have full sun,” Moir says.
Nature is important for both Drexler and Moir, and they felt a responsibility to minimize the impact on their new surroundings, so they used sustainable products wherever possible. “We’d like to have solar power, but unfortunately we’re limited as we don’t have full sun,” Moir says.
The living room is cozy and covers all the couple’s needs, no matter the season. One of their splurges for the home was the fireplace. “We really wanted one that was built in vs. a free-standing pot belly,” Moir says.
“We often fall asleep on the couch listening to music with the fire on, or even watching a movie. Since moving to the mountains, we naturally become sleepy earlier,” Drexler says.
The home is warm, inviting and filled with personal items that each have a story behind them. Moir worked full time as an artist for many years, specializing in ceramics and painting. Many of his creations adorn the walls and spaces. “When we moved in, we knew we had furniture that did not necessarily go together, but they are all pieces we like,” Drexler says. “It’s all about individual elements coming together, with color, form and function, not what’s in trend.”
The dining area is just behind the living area and features this solid custom-designed dining table, which Drexler and Moir had made in Bali and shipped over. They found the furniture maker during one of their Indonesian getaways after staying in accommodations that featured his furniture. Drexler paired it with these chairs from King Living and a Hali silk rug from Robertsons Design.
The kitchen is located in the center of the almost L-shaped home and is the perfect size for this couple. Drexler says it’s where all of the good stuff is made. Having part-owned and run successful Brisbane restaurant Mondo Organics for 15 years (from 2000 to 2015), Drexler is passionate about good food. She is particularly keen on cooking with real food and always from scratch.
After taking an 18-month break after the sale of Mondo Organics, Drexler has returned to her love for design and working with clients on creative design projects. She is also scoping out the Gold Coast for a new home for her next business venture with her business partner of 15 years.
After taking an 18-month break after the sale of Mondo Organics, Drexler has returned to her love for design and working with clients on creative design projects. She is also scoping out the Gold Coast for a new home for her next business venture with her business partner of 15 years.
The shelving above the kitchen windows was made from the same wood as the coffee table. They had the tree milled and used as much of the wood as they could. The fabric lining seen behind the shelf is wrapped onto foam and allows for a burst of color and pattern without it being permanent. Drexler often did the same thing in her restaurant.
In front of the kitchen and directly opposite the indoor dining table is a side deck with an outdoor dining area.
The view from the side deck speaks for itself.
As this tranquil home is nestled high above the valley on the very edge of a cliff, the pair say they often feel engulfed by cloud, in what is known to the locals as a complete “whiteout.” In March 2010, when the pair first moved into their newly built home, they used to let the cloud move through the house, but they soon noticed that mold was starting to appear on the walls.
As this tranquil home is nestled high above the valley on the very edge of a cliff, the pair say they often feel engulfed by cloud, in what is known to the locals as a complete “whiteout.” In March 2010, when the pair first moved into their newly built home, they used to let the cloud move through the house, but they soon noticed that mold was starting to appear on the walls.
Back inside and opposite the kitchen is a long wall of cabinetry that houses a sizable pantry. The suspended light above the kitchen island was another splurge item and comes from ECC Lighting in Fortitude Valley.
The hallway extends from the kitchen at the entrance to the home and leads to a washroom, bathroom and the master bedroom. The kilim rug on the hallway floor was purchased in 2014 on one of the food tours Drexler hosts yearly. She found it at the Grand Bazaar during a trip to Istanbul.
The tall, framed collection of Modern Masters magazine covers came from Moir’s father. He’d given the collection of vintage art magazines to Moir in a box, and Drexler decided they were too beautiful to not be seen and had them custom framed.
The tall, framed collection of Modern Masters magazine covers came from Moir’s father. He’d given the collection of vintage art magazines to Moir in a box, and Drexler decided they were too beautiful to not be seen and had them custom framed.
There is only one bathroom in the home, and it was the starting point for the home. On entering this personal sanctuary, some people might mistakenly think they’ve just arrived at a day spa.
A soft and natural color palette creates a calming effect, and everything one needs to get relaxed can be found here.
Stone wall and floor finishes add a touch of luxury to this soothing bathroom, and the addition of a sauna provides the ultimate way to spend more time in this part of the home.
The view of the lush green forest available from the sauna is even better from the bath. Drexler had struggled to find an affordable free-standing bathtub that wasn’t made from acrylic and discovered this one when her neighbors Herbert and Gail were removing it from their Brisbane home. “I was delighted when they sold it to me and glad that I could give it a new home,” she says.
Hours are spent soaking in this tub, taking in the peaceful sights and sounds of the rainforest. The couple often are entertained by the passing wildlife. “We get to watch goannas [Australian monitor lizards] on walkabout and visiting koalas right here from the bath,” Drexler says.
Hours are spent soaking in this tub, taking in the peaceful sights and sounds of the rainforest. The couple often are entertained by the passing wildlife. “We get to watch goannas [Australian monitor lizards] on walkabout and visiting koalas right here from the bath,” Drexler says.
The main bedroom takes in the same views of the forest as the bathroom from the eastern side of the home. Despite the wide expanse of windows and a glass door leading to the side deck, the home remains private from the neighbors’ view and allows plenty of natural light in to combat any traces of moisture from passing clouds.
Drexler designed the cabinetry behind the headboard and then had it made by Designer Wardrobes on the Gold Coast. It is made from a beautiful red-heart eucalyptus. She also had the idea of covering the closet doors with fabric padding to soften the surface and allow for an easy update in years to come.
The artworks hanging above the main bed were all painted by Moir.
The artworks hanging above the main bed were all painted by Moir.
The office area is located to the left of the front door and main hallway, with windows positioned at the same height as those in the kitchen. More of the milled timber from the tree taken down on the property during the build was used to make the shelf and the desk itself.
This generous-sized second bedroom doubles as a creative space and guest bedroom. “This is where Andrew and I get to paint and spread out with any other creative projects we have going. Sometimes we’ll mix it up and sleep in this room to take in a different view of the gardens and forest. You know, just because we can,” Drexler says with a laugh.
Large glass sliding doors in the guest room open out onto this grass landing, which is technically at the front of the property as you drive down the very steep driveway. Completely private from the street view, Moir partly completed the landscaping and included this fire pit prior to the build. “We would come up and camp right here and sit by the fire dreaming up our home. Now we get to remember and reflect on those camping trips as we sit by the exact same spot. It’s pretty special,” Drexler says.
Moir began some of the landscaping before the build, which Drexler thought was a crazy idea having seen how some builders work on site. Due to great care, and a fair bit of orange bunting and signs reading “Be Careful” (put up by Moir), the builders managed to break only one tree branch.
There were a few other challenges and surprises along the way. Drexler recalls nearly losing the water tank over the cliff during construction, and another contractor managing to cut through newly installed power cables while digging. “It was just one extra scoop, which Andrew had asked for. The most expensive scoop!” she says.
There were a few other challenges and surprises along the way. Drexler recalls nearly losing the water tank over the cliff during construction, and another contractor managing to cut through newly installed power cables while digging. “It was just one extra scoop, which Andrew had asked for. The most expensive scoop!” she says.
Drexler’s vision for the exterior design was clean and simple, with colors that blend in with the forest. Blueboard and blackbutt woods were also used as external cladding.
Inside, she wanted clean and light colors using paints that are both low-toxic and anti-mold.
Inside, she wanted clean and light colors using paints that are both low-toxic and anti-mold.
The couple were restricted by building regulations due to constructing in a “high fire zone.” The house platform was constrained by property width and building boundaries, placement of sewage and water systems, water tanks, access and turnarounds for emergency fire services. Drexler says it was an added challenge to find builders who were willing to build in the area.
Although Springbrook is only half an hour from the Gold Coast, the building costs increased by 30 percent due to the shipping of materials up the mountain, which ultimately meant cuts in their budget in other areas.
Although Springbrook is only half an hour from the Gold Coast, the building costs increased by 30 percent due to the shipping of materials up the mountain, which ultimately meant cuts in their budget in other areas.
Springbrook Plateau was part of a volcano that erupted 23 million years ago, the largest volcano in the Southern Hemisphere. All that remains is the volcanic plug, Mount Warning, and the caldera, which includes the many mountains and ranges of the Scenic Rim area. This is where the couple took in the view on the first day they visited the property. “Our home is our place of nurture, serenity and grounding. We feel blessed and grateful every day for the opportunity to be living in this most spectacular part of the world,” Drexler says.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Sonja Drexler and Andrew Moir
Location: Springbrook, Queensland, Australia
Size: Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Interior designer Drexler got to work on the designs, and the building of their home began in late 2009. Drexler’s philosophy for interior design is all about serenity, peace and zen. She believes that a successful design should feel good as well as be functional and livable.
“A typical day in our home — depending on the weather — can involve waking to the birdsong and the surrounding forest, witnessing the sunrise over the mountain and ocean, lightning shows from summer storms, amazing rainbows that arc across the valley at our rear deck, and watching clouds drift by in white tufts after a clearing of rain,” Drexler says.