My Houzz: Traditional Queenslander Gets a Fresh US-Style Face Lift
Here's how one family brought the style of vintage America to sunny Brisbane, one room at a time
A job opportunity in San Francisco saw Janette and Dan Brennan pack up their Brisbane home of many years and set off on an adventure. When baby made three, they headed all the way back home again with their new bundle and a shipping container full of vintage and Mid-century pieces collected on their travels.
Before they returned to their homeland, Janette and Dan spent 12 months consulting with Brisbane design company Hive Architecture to work on the home’s renovation. The main brief was to create a new kitchen, laundry, garage and outdoor area at the back of the house. Due to the age of the home, all of these parts were in dire need of attention. Plus, with baby Isla making the trip home to Brisbane, too, the couple also knew they would need practical solutions, including more storage.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Janette and Dan Brennan, with their daughter Isla
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The original builder of the home, Sam Harris, was former Wallaby (Australian rugby union) player Ben Tune’s great grandfather.
Before they returned to their homeland, Janette and Dan spent 12 months consulting with Brisbane design company Hive Architecture to work on the home’s renovation. The main brief was to create a new kitchen, laundry, garage and outdoor area at the back of the house. Due to the age of the home, all of these parts were in dire need of attention. Plus, with baby Isla making the trip home to Brisbane, too, the couple also knew they would need practical solutions, including more storage.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Janette and Dan Brennan, with their daughter Isla
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The original builder of the home, Sam Harris, was former Wallaby (Australian rugby union) player Ben Tune’s great grandfather.
The couple stuck with it, seeing the progress of the renovation very slowly, but surely. The real ‘wow’ moment came when they began to put the final decorating touches in place and really live in it. “It’s full of heart,” says Janette, pictured here with her husband and daughter. “Perfectly imperfect.”
The result of the renovation and extension on their home is a combination of funky American vintage and Mid-century style mixed with the classic elements of a Queenslander home in Brisbane, Australia.
The front part of the house is original – the lounge, dining room, bedrooms and bathrooms haven’t really changed. It’s the decorating touches that put the couple’s stamp on the rooms. And a splash of sunny yellow greets them at the front door.
More: Bright Space: 21 Ways to Welcome Yellow Into Your Home
The front part of the house is original – the lounge, dining room, bedrooms and bathrooms haven’t really changed. It’s the decorating touches that put the couple’s stamp on the rooms. And a splash of sunny yellow greets them at the front door.
More: Bright Space: 21 Ways to Welcome Yellow Into Your Home
The living room shows off some of this home’s best Queenslander features with high ceilings and VJ (vertical joint) walls.
The original light fittings are scattered around the home and bring a classic look to this bright and funky space.
The original light fittings are scattered around the home and bring a classic look to this bright and funky space.
This charcoal lounge from Macy’s is the perfect backdrop for colourful cushions. The canvas, painted by Dan, makes an eye-catching statement.
The rug and the yellow knitted cushion are from Freedom.
The rug and the yellow knitted cushion are from Freedom.
The couple kept many of the existing features in the home, including the original doors which add warmth to the scheme. The dark brown stain and traditional handles are common in Queenslander homes of this era.
The Eames Hang-it-all hat rack is a functional and funky piece and looks great whether it’s on or off duty!
Ottoman: Freedom
The Eames Hang-it-all hat rack is a functional and funky piece and looks great whether it’s on or off duty!
Ottoman: Freedom
A gorgeous bedroom for little Isla combines elements of old and new.
A white IKEA iron bed sits beside a funky Componibili side table with modern accents from the print and bed linen.
Flamingo cushion: Adairs; bed linen: KAS.
A white IKEA iron bed sits beside a funky Componibili side table with modern accents from the print and bed linen.
Flamingo cushion: Adairs; bed linen: KAS.
The Expedit shelves from IKEA keep the toys tidy, while a vintage Eames chair sits snugly in the corner, creating a nook under the shelves for story time.
A classic Queenslander sunroom doubles as a sun-filled sitting area where the couple can read and relax.
Janette and Dan’s love for old and new is on show again in their dining room, with antique letters from America, a farmhouse-style table, Mid-century chairs and West Elm pendant (from the US).
This gorgeous Mid-century buffet takes pride of place in the sunroom, showing off Janette’s colourful collection of glass vases and bowls.
Many of the vintage pieces around the home came from hours spent scouring the markets at Alameda, Rose Bowl and Long Beach in America.
Many of the vintage pieces around the home came from hours spent scouring the markets at Alameda, Rose Bowl and Long Beach in America.
Orla Kiely linen brings the mid-century feel into the main bedroom and complements the upholstered bed beautifully.
Shutters add a fuss-free look to the window.
“This renovation also gave us the chance to do things we had wanted to do for years, but had never got around to – like removing the old ‘80s air-conditioner in our bedroom,” says Janette.
“This renovation also gave us the chance to do things we had wanted to do for years, but had never got around to – like removing the old ‘80s air-conditioner in our bedroom,” says Janette.
The main bathroom has a more traditional look than the rest of the home, with a stunning pedestal basin and ornate mirror.
Discover more ornate bathroom mirrors
Discover more ornate bathroom mirrors
The stunning black and white floor tiles make a statement.
The new kitchen showcases a huge Han Stone island bench in ‘Arctic Snow’, perfect for preparing meals and entertaining friends and two-pack cabinetry.
“The kitchen is our favourite room in the house!” admits Janette. “It’s a total departure from the old 1950s retro nightmare with tiled benchtops.”
The bright yellow stools and Aboriginal artwork by Louise Numina add cohesion by drawing colours from the adjoining lounge area.
The pendant lights above the island bench are from Freedom.
“The kitchen is our favourite room in the house!” admits Janette. “It’s a total departure from the old 1950s retro nightmare with tiled benchtops.”
The bright yellow stools and Aboriginal artwork by Louise Numina add cohesion by drawing colours from the adjoining lounge area.
The pendant lights above the island bench are from Freedom.
The home’s new extension houses a second bathroom and a compact laundry – just what every growing family needs!
It’s no secret Janette and Dan love the pops of yellow around their home and, in here, the colour boosts the monochromatic scheme of the bathroom.
It’s no secret Janette and Dan love the pops of yellow around their home and, in here, the colour boosts the monochromatic scheme of the bathroom.
The stunning white tiles add a funky geometric pattern to the walls and you can’t help but run your fingers over them. They are ‘White Cube’ from Earp Brothers.
In this bathroom, the cabinetry selection is a nod to the Mid-century furniture pieces dotted throughout the home.
In this bathroom, the cabinetry selection is a nod to the Mid-century furniture pieces dotted throughout the home.
The new laundry with a mirror splashback and stone benches (also seen in the kitchen) is a compact space with good storage options both below the bench and high on the walls.
“It’s so nice to have a laundry on the same level as the rest of the home, not tacked onto the back of the house,” says Janette.
“It’s so nice to have a laundry on the same level as the rest of the home, not tacked onto the back of the house,” says Janette.
With one hand, the couple can shut the door on the laundry (and the ironing pile if they wish!).
The cabinetry in the bathroom is a shiny white two-pack.
The cabinetry in the bathroom is a shiny white two-pack.
The front decking was replaced during the reno and now provides a nice sheltered area in which the family can sit and watch the world go by.
Exterior paint colour selections are a crisp white and a sharp charcoal, adding a modern feel to this traditional style of architecture.
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 or 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 or see more inspiring projects.
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