A project close to us (literal and metaphorical), my parents purchased an original 80s brick home that made for a satisfying yet accessible transformation. With Hacienda vibes, lush beautiful acreage and streams of natural light through in-built skylights we drew inspiration from the original stained glass windows to create a timeless aesthetic that feels like a true representation of their 60+ years of life.

Kitchen

Cabinetry colour – Taubman’s Irish Blessing created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Wall colour – Barely Beige Quarter, Taubmans

Cabinetry – MCDAS Projects

Cabinetry pulls – Hepburn Hardware

Splashback tiles – National Tiles

Benchtop – Organic White, Caesarstone

Kitchen tapware – Abey Australia

Kitchen butler’s sink – Abey Australia

Sink in butler’s pantry – Abey Australia

Oven – Smeg

Fridge – Fisher Paykel

Flooring – Decorug 

Vase – Vintage

Stools – Satara Living

Wooden shelf – Recycled

Rangehood – rendered by Render X

Dining Room

Round Dining Table – Saloon Round Dining Table by Canvas and Sasson

Chairs – Vintage (painted)

Curtains – DIY Blinds

Pendant light – House of Orange

Flooring – Decorug

Wall panelling – 100mm EasyVJ from Easycraft

Vase – Vintage

Wall render – Render X

Wall colour – Barely Beige Quarter, Taubmans

Laundry & Linen Cupboard

Cupboard handles – Etsy

Cupboards – Laminex Spinefex

Basket – Bishiri Bolga Basket

Rug – Persian from AU Rugs

Powder Room

Wall paint colour – Taubman’s Soldier On created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Timber vanity – Zanui (retrofitted bedside table)

Stone basin – Stone and Rock

Tapwear – ABI Interiors

Mirror – Gallery Direct

Artwork – Vintage

Vases – Vintage

Wall panelling – Easy VJ from Easycraft

Door – Hume Doors

Master Bedroom

Wall colour – Taubman’s The In-between created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Bedside table – One World Collection 

Dresser – Left by previous owner’s

Mirror – Facebook Marketplace

Lamp – Parent’s already owned

Wall light – Emac & Lawton Lighting

Ottoman – Jenna Sherpa Ottoman by Pillow Talk

Bedding quilt cover – Parent’s already owned, an old Laura Ashley

Bed – Facebook Marketplace 

Artwork – Parent’s previous pieces

Curtains – DIY Blinds

Rug – Tribe Home

Chair – Oma & Opa’s 50+ year old TV chair reupholstered by Foam World

Flooring – Decorug

Office/Flex Space

Wall Colour – Taubman’s Noodie Roodie created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Sofa – Vintage covered in Warwick Fabric

Throw – Target

Cushions – Heirloom Stripe in Rosewater by Aura Home

Ottoman – Jenna Sherpa Ottoman by  Pillow Talk

Rug – Tribe Home

Mirror – Mum and Dad’s

Wall lamp – Emac & Lawton Lighting

Curtains – DIY Blinds

Desk – left by previous owner

Lamp – left by previous owner

Guest Bedroom 1

Wall colour – Taubman’s The In-between created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Artwork – Oma’s framed embroidery framed by Left Bank Art Group

Wall light – Fat Shack Vintage

Curtains – DIY Curtains and Blinds DIY Blinds

Bedding Coverlet – Verdant Country Quilt from Canvas and Sasson

Round Pom Pom Cushion – H&M Home

Bed – Michael’s childhood bed 

Flooring – Decorug

Guest Bedroom 2

Wall colour – Taubman’s Noodie Roodie created with Coloursmith App. Scan the above QR code at paint counter to get your colour tinted.

Artwork Embroideries – Oma’s framed embroidery framed by Left Bank Art Group

Artwork Tulips – Painted by Mum’s friend

Lamp – Facebook Marketplace

Bolster Cushion – Luxury Velvet Bolster by Aura Home

Bedding Quilt Cover – Left by previous owners

Bedside Table – Left by previous owners

Bed – Left by previous owners

Exterior

Paint colour – Taubmans, Cotton Ball

Bench seat – Left by previous owner and painted black

Garden lamp – Original

That should be it – but if not, please ask questions in the comments section below because no doubt others will have the same.

Carlene xx

The renovation of this classic 1920’s Queenslander home demonstrates how a home can be modified to respond to modern needs of a young family of 4, whilst being sympathetic to the home’s origins. We met local businessman Matt and his wife Vali at the airport while grabbing that all neccessary pre-flight coffee. Matt struck up a conversation with us as an employee of his had been one of the electricians on The Black in Melbourne. A few months later, he reached out to us to design their full home renovation of their gorgeous 1927 Queenslander home.

The beauty of the job was its proximity to our own house, located in a semi-rural pocket near Currumbin. The area mostly comprised of acreage properties, with mature trees and grassy paddocks populated by cows and horses, all under 15 minutes to the beach – encapsulating the best of both worlds = heaven!

Matt and Vali had purchased the 1.4-acre (0.56ha) property in 2015 after years of living in a very modern home. It was love at first sight for them and their two young children, mainly because the two-storey Queenslander had the family feel they’d yearned for. They were surprised to learn that the house was originally built in the heritage area of Ipswich and relocated by the previous owners.

We were given the following brief: to renovate the interior in an architecturally sympathetic way. Often the integrity of these old buildings is lost during the update, so we were excited to show how this house could be transformed while celebrating its history.

Find below our resources guide for this classic Queenslander with a few of our favourite pieces that brought this project to life.

Dining

Natural light wasn’t in abundance in this house, so we added skylights to the kitchen and dining area.

Dining Table – ‘Parquetry’ Elm Dining Table

Dining Chairs – ‘Provincial’ Chairs from Village Stores

Pendant Lights – Vintage

Artwork – Kimmy Hogan

Floor Rug – Hypnose in Blue from Decorug

Paint colour – Resene Half Wan White

Entrance

Opposite the front door on the first floor is a nook for coat, bag and shoe storage.

Cabinetry – Polytec Ultra White

Cushion Fabric (built-in seat) – Stippled print from These Walls

Multi Hook – ‘Geo’ with antiqued brass finish from West Elm

Paint colour – Resene Half Wan White

Living

The living room has my heart. We worked with the moodiness of the house by opting for a rick, saturated wall colour that feels like a warm hug and allows the art to pop off the walls. I also love the floor-to-ceiling bookcase. My favourite aspect, though, is one I’m not responsible for – the beautiful stained-glass windows at the entry.

Sofa – Upholstered in Warwick Fabrics ‘Husk’ fabric in Steel from Molmic

Armchair – Upholstered in Warwick Fabrics ‘Axella’ Denim from Molmic

Side Table – ‘Ink Round‘ from Early Settler

Floor Lamp –  ‘Calais‘ in brass from Emac & Lawton

Artwork (pandanus and kangaroos) – Kara Rosenlund

Artwork (foliage) – Kimmy Hogan

Artwork (jar with nasturtium and jug) – Elizabeth Barnett

Wall Panelling – Easycraft VJ Panelling

Paint colour – Resene Wedgewood

Master Bedroom

Bedhead – Custom made by Heatherly Designs

Paint colour – Resene Wedgewood

Wall light – Pottery Barn

Art – Kara Rosenlund

Bed linen – I Love Linen

Bedside Table – Pottery Barn

Lamps – West Elm

Kids Bedroom 

Bed – ‘Willow’ from Fantastic Furniture

Quilt Cover – ‘Creature Features’ from Target

Bedside Table – ‘Elise’ from Provincial Home Living

Artwork – By the eight-year-old occupant works perfectly in this cool green space

Paint colour – Resene Spring Green

Bathroom

Basins – Abey Australia

Taps – Abey Australia

Floor Tiles – Burleigh Tiles

Bathroom

The bathroom is a family-friendly space where Murphy the mini labradoodle is also welcome!

Paint Colour – Resene Half Truffle

Bath – Abey

Basin – Abey

Floor Tiles – Burleigh Tiles

Towel – Nikau Store

Alfresco

Lush tropical surroundings are the drawcard here, so we utilised this with the openness of the verandah.

Sofas – Sonoma Sofas from GlobeWest

Coffee Table – GlobeWest

Dining Chairs – GlobeWest

Cushion Fabrics – 3Beaches

Pizza Oven – Zesti

Bar Table – Custom made

Bar Stools – Interiors Online

Deign and Styling: Cedar and Suede

Editorial Styling: Sarah Ellison for Australian Homes and Garden

Photographer: Mindi Cooke

Carlene xx

Below is a series of material boards which, we created for Easycraft, conceived to provide audiences with an expanded view of what can be created by simply granting yourself permission to play. A range of textures, colours and materials work together here to create 7 very different schemes designed to provide inspiration for the home interior.

Elegance

A saturated and versatile palette, elevated by brass metals and warm timbers. The use of rich navy creates elegance and calm, simultaneously. The flexible, adaptable profile, easygroove is the perfect starting point. Matching the elegance and impact of dramatic navy blue, with brass metal and rich timber, this statement style comes to life. If you live and breathe design, whether it’s for a new home or a creative renovation, welcome to your new comfort zone.

Panels
easygroove 150 – Easycraft

Veneer
easyveneer American Walnut – Easycraft

Paint
Madison – Resene

Tapware
Brushed Brass Spout – ABI Interiors

Carpet
Halcyon Lake

Wallpaper
Blue – Zepel Fabrics

Fabric
Velvet – Wortley
Blue – Zepel Fabrics

Stone
Breccia Nera – Artedomus

Tile
Biyusai – Artedomus
Mosaic – Fourefle Blue – Artedomus

Granite
Groove Tiles

Metal
Brass – Brodware

Authenticity

A grounding colour palette, with reference to the natural landscape. Celebrating our fragile earth – the rich forests to the barren red outback. This is a versatile palette for any space. Perennially popular, easyvj is comfortably at home in both traditional and contemporary interiors. It is the indispensable element that brings symmetry and calm. This design draws from nature– the cool multi-hued native forests to the rich reds of the outback. Time to explore!

Panels
easyvj 100 – Easycraft

Veneer
easyveneer Feature Blackbutt – Easycraft

Paint
Spanish Green – Resene

Carpet
Cavalier – Bremworth

Handle
Brass – Anthropologie

Fabric
Floral – Elba in Ember – James Dunlop Textiles
Woven – Wortley

Tile
Terracotta – Burleigh Tiles
Terrazzo – Surface Society

Granite
Groove Tiles

Leather
Made Measure

Rattan
Camberwell Cane

Brass
Brodware

Generosity

Luxurious, opulent and elevated by rich timbers, aged brass and tan leather. A palette perfect for a bold kitchen, bedroom or living room. Creating an exhilarating contrast with the texture and visual interest of our easyline profile, the atmospheric deep green, rich dark timbers, aged brass and tan leather present a provocative palette. This style is begging to be experimented with in a bold living room, bedroom or statement kitchen. 

Panels
easyline 150 – Easycraft

Veneer
easyveneer American Walnut – Easycraft

Paint
Half Forest Green – Resene

Mesh
Brass – Arrow Metal

Metal
Brass – ABI Interiors

Leather
Made Measure

Carpet
Halycon Lake

Tiles
Gloss – Three Balls Red
Matte – Antilia 18 – Artedomus
Mosaic – Yohen Border – Artedomus
Grey – Burleigh Tiles

Fabric
Dark Green Velvet – Wortley
Light Green Velvet – Wortley

Energetic

A topical colour palette that is spirited and fun. This is best used tonally, as an evolution from the ever-present blush pinks of recent years. Part of our Expression Series, it is the cornerstone of this exuberant, fun and feminine design scheme – only for those confident enough to be playful with colour. The colour palette is on trend, an evolution from the ever-present blush pinks. Best complemented by toning hues, this striking interior style is certain to stir the emotions and raise the spirits. 

Panels
Expression series Herringbone – Easycraft

Paint
Manhattan – Resene

Brick
PGH Bricks

Carpet
Cavalier – Bremworth

Metal
Rose Gold – Brodware

Wallpaper
Vinyl – Unique Fabrics

Stone
Calcutta Viola – Artedomus

Tiles
Terrazzo – Fibonacci Stone
Square – Mallorca – Surface Society
Pink Mosaic – Thermo Milky – Artedomus
Round Copper – ABI Interiors
Large right – Surface Society
Large left – National Tiles

Fabrics
Rattan – Camberwell Cane
Rust Woven – Zepel Fabrics
Cream Woven – Oasis in Snow – Warwick Fabric

Loyal

A timeless aesthetic that can be applied to any home. Experimenting with angles allows for further design expression. Confident yet calm – masculine and brooding. Our geometrically inspired Chevron profile is integral to the success of the design style. Another of our Expression Series, it is sleek yet endlessly intriguing. There’s a masculine energy to this smoky colour palette. Paired with leather, metal, stone and timber, this is a scheme that will bring interest and complexity to any interior. From inspiration to creation, dream to reality; take the journey.

Panels
Expression Series Chevron – Easycraft

Veneer
easyveneer American Walnut – Easycraft

Paint
Zeus – Resene

Carpet
Cavalier – Bremworth

Leather
Langham in Saddle – Thomas Maxwell

Iron
Brodware

Stone
Marble – Concordia Honed – Artedomus
Square – Noir Des Alpes – Artedomus
Right – Artetech Pietra Cardoso – Artedomus
Small Black – Quantum Quartz – WK Stone

Round Copper
ABI Interiors

Fabric
Plaid – Balfour in Schist – Unique Fabrics
Striped – York – Unique Fabrics
Velvet – Rubelli – South Pacific Fabrics

Grace

A calm and sophisticated palette that encourages natural materials to shine. Allowing for quiet expression – it is more than what meets the eye. The fine vertical lines of easyregency create a backdrop of graceful understatement. Pared down and perfect, at home in a traditional residence or in a modern one – enhancing a hallway, in a bedroom or dining room. It’s a virtuoso example of taste and style that allows natural materials like marble, terrazzo, granite and polished metal to shine. Fresh, light-hearted, sparkling and self-possessed.

Panels
easyregency 150 – Easycraft

Veneer
easyveneer American Oak – Easycraft

Paint
Half Seafog – Resene

Brick
PGH Bricks

Granite
Groove Tiles

Carpet
Cavalier – Bremworth

Tiles
Square Silver – Mallorca Tile – Surface Society
Square White – Mallorca Tile – Surface Society
Bluestone Mosaic – National Tiles
Small Marble Mosaic – Artedomus

Metals
Round Gunmetal – ABI Interiors
Polished Nickel – Brodware

Stone
Large Terrazzo – National Tiles

Wallpaper
Vinyl – Zepel Fabrics

Fabric
Linen – Sette  – South Pacific Fabrics

Drama

A decadent palette for the confident colour curator. Igniting the imagination through drama and modern mysticism. Vogue and easyAscot put a stamp of distinction wherever you choose to use them: especially in formal dining rooms, master suites and entryways. Infinitely elegant, this design style adds a touch of decadence and drama. Pairing violet with dark purple,  counterbalanced with the richness of polished marble, stone, leather, brass, and the warmth of timber. If you’re enthralled by daring design and open to possibilities, seize your
opportunity.

Panels
easyascot & ascot.vogue – Easycraft

Paint
Violet – Sonique – Resene
Dark Purple – Fedora – Resene

Tile
Large Tile – National Tiles

Tapware
Brushed Brass Tap – ABI Interiors

Leather
Made Measure

Stone
Square – Groove Tiles
Purple & White – Burleigh Tiles

Wallpaper
Carioca – Zepel Fabrics

Marble
Polished – Rosso Levanto – Surface Society

Timber
Royal Oak Floors

Carpet
Cavalier – Bremworth

Metal
Brushed Rose Gold – Brodware

Fabric
Velvet Fabric – Wortley

Get the look and download PDFs of all Style Guides here.

Styled and curated by Carlene – Cedar and Suede for Easycraft. 

It seems like a very non-eventful space in which to dedicate an entire blog post but our hallway is more than a hallway, this thoroughfare has serious SOUL and is definitely worthy of a conversation.

Michael made the decision, last minute, to step the hallway in to create more space and avoid the tunnel effect, which effectively made this space more of a room than a hallway. Off of our hallway are our 3 top floor bedrooms (there are 2 guests bedrooms downstairs) and the bathroom and the fact that the brick runs down the entire length means that each bedroom (and the bathroom) all get to enjoy that beautiful brick surface, which is a real treat. If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know we’ve used Hawkesberry Bronze by PGH Bricks throughout the interior, paired with white mortar from The White Cement Company.

The hallway and the breezeway are the only rooms to don white walls and we’ve used Resene Black White, a really crisp, black-based white which, means  it doesn’t throw blues or pinks or yellows. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up painting the skirting the same grey as the bathrooms (Resene Foggy Grey) because the kids are constantly rubbing their feet up against that white and making it grubby. At least, if it’s grey I won’t see it.

The very long bench seat is also our linen cupboard, opening up from the top. The top opening mechanism is temporary, however, as ideally we want drawer fronts which are soooooo much easier to use but we were at the end of our budget so that’s a project for down the track. Those louvred windows from A&L Windows & Doors look out to our pool and to the other side of the house and when open, provide such a welcome breeze. With the amount of natural airflow provided by the number of windows built into this house design in general, it means for the most of the year, we shouldn’t need to use the ducted air con which was also installed during the build. You may be interested to know that until now, we’ve NEVER had home airconditioning, not even a split system. I’ve always deemed it an unnecessary luxury but after last year’s Summer, it’s more much more of a necessity. Where we once experienced only 4 days of suppressing heat, now it’s more like 4 weeks and for someone who works from home, I don’t have time to be affected by relentless heat. We’ve used Actron Air for those questioning and I’m feeling much better about our impending Summer (which officially arrives in 2 days, mind you).

Another space, another excuse for a cute vignette. The best part about this vignette is that no one ever touches it because it’s purely for aesthetics. I’ve styled it completely from pieces that I had sitting in other parts of the house and everything on the console, including the console itself is vintage. If you are  decking out a sparkling new house that needs some soul, hit your local opp shops. I’ve said it before, it’s where you find the quirkiest, coolest finds. The console, I sourced from The Gold Coast Antique Centre. I used to avoid antique centres because I associated them with very very old which meant very very expensive but most antique retailers also sell vintage items and the prices are subject to the material and its rareness. This console is pine and therefore totally affordable. The amber light I picked up from The Grainery at Murwillimbah and I think originally it was a pendant light but I always intended to plop it in amongst one of my vignettes.

The art is a good example of how being restricted by budget can work in your favour. Because we already owned the photo, I was only up for the cost of printing and framing. In saying that, I can’t emphasise enough the importance of getting your frame right. I favour timber frames although they are on the higher end of the price scale compared to a flat white or black. I like to mix up the colour and pattern of the timber rather than opt for a uniform look which risks looking stale. I also always opt for a plain white border to give the art/photo its moment to shine.

This is me below, kicking my feet up supervising the kids in the pool. Ha yeah right, I’ve never sat here, no one has time for sitting, it’s a pipe dream, but I do fold my washing here. And the kids like to jump up on the bench seat when they play ‘the floor is lava’ so you know,  it has its purpose.

The hand crafted rugs are all from Decorug and I’ll tell you what, they are key to the success of this space. Purchasing underlays though is on the to-do list because between Michael and the kids those things are never straight.  Hot tip; if you’re going to use runners, make sure you source a hard-wearing type because the idea is that you walk over them and some rugs just aren’t up to the challenge. These ones are indesctructible and because they’re patterned they don’t show marks. My type of rug!

Next week, it’s Paddy’s room up for reveal which is my favourite out of the kids’ bedrooms. Somehow it just suits him. It’s a smart room and Paddy is smart kid so you know……

Carlene xx