I agonised over the choices in this kitchen. Choosing hard surfaces is hard. I thankfully have a husband who is a gun at layout. That part just isn’t fun for me. We’d lived in this house for a long time before embarking on this renovation which helped us with some non-negotiables.

For instance, we wanted a huge fridge and freezer. We were sick of having to dig deep for our food. I also knew I wanted a large sink but no sink on the island bench. We’d learnt that sinks on the island always made our house feel messy. Having the sink in the unofficial butler’s kitchen was the best move we could have made on this plan. The other pearl in this space is the appliance cupboard which houses our Thermomix, Coffee machine and Toaster amongst other things. We love having easy access to these whilst still keeping them behind closed doors.

Kitchen Details

Kitchen Benchtop Grey: WK Quantum Quartz Q6 in Pietra Grey

Kitchen Benchtop White: WK Quantum Quartz Q6 in Bianco Classico

Wall colour: Resene Robin Egg Blue Quarter

Splashback Tiles:  Zellige Tiles by Tiles of Ezra

Kitchen Tapware: Hydrotap G5 by Zipwater

Door Knobs Back Bench: C233 Brass from Optimum Brasses

Door Knobs Island and Butlers Kitchen: Ascot Knob in Small by Lo and Co Interiors

Cabinetry: Freedom Kitchens in Slate Green

Artwork: Vintage

Farmhouse Sink: Louis Chambord by Abey Austraia 

Pendant: Beacon Lighting

Appliances

Cooktop: Electrolux EHG955SD 5 Burner Gas Cooktop

Rangehood: Electrolux ERI842DSD Integrated Rangehood

Oven: Electrolux EVEP916DSD Multifunction Pyrolytic Oven

Fridge: Electrolux ERE5047SB 501L Stainless Steel Refrigerator

Freezer: Electrolux EFE4227SB 425L Stainless Steel Freezer

Fridge & Freezer Trim: Electrolux ETK7070 Combined Trim Kit powder coated to match joinery in Dulux Spiralina

Dishwasher: Electrolux ESL8530RO RealLife XXL Fully Integrated Dishwasher

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

Meet Dolly; and while I know that you’ve probably already seen, met, and loved her as much as we have, it’s time to break down the nitty gritty of our largest (22 foot to be exact!) home on wheels. Featuring beds at both ends, including the sweetest of bunks, a spacious, fully functioning kitchen area, dining nook and heaps of storage space, Dolly rolls into a camping ground in style.

Utilising our signature brass accents, combined with pastels and quirky prints, we love Dolly’s fresh, retro, coastal vibe. In an effort to salvage as much of the original van as possible, we’ve restored the original handles, cabinetry and dining table in keeping with the van’s heritage. Dolly is a light, bright, breath of fresh air. She is our home away from home, our beach holiday on wheels. She is named to honour the legacy of Dolly Everett, who leaves behind a powerful message, “speak even if your voice shakes.” May her death not be in vain.

Ready to create your own dream home on wheels? Learn a few tips and tricks from us on how to buy and bring back to life your van – watch here.

Then, see below our resources guide where we sourced everything from the tiles, to the paint colours, bedding, and appliances for Dolly.

Overall Look and Feel

Interior Paint (Blue): Taubmans Crashing Waves
Interior Paint (White): Taubmans Big White
Exterior Paint (Blue): Taubmans Crashing Waves
Exterior Paint (White): Taubmans Big White
Flooring: Godfrey Hirst “Spotted Gum” Vinyl Planks from DecoRug
Cabinetry: Original cabinetry painted in White Knight Laminate Paint in Taubmans Crashing Waves
Cabinetry brass fronts: Arrow Metal
Door knobs: Original painted in White Knight Squirts in Satin Gold
Decal sign: Advanced Signworks

Dining

Bench fabric print: Palm Paisley in Sapphire from 3Beaches
Bench fabric navy: Navy Velvet from Warwick Fabric
Dining table: Original resurfaced in Laminex Carrara Laminate
Brass strip: George White

Kitchen Nook

Kitchen benchtop: Laminate Carrara by Laminex
Kitchen tiles: Tic Tac Tiles from Ebay
Kitchen tapware: Imported direct (Cedar and Suede)
Kitchen appliances: Dometic
Kitchen sink: Ebay

Beds

Bed linens queen: Quilt over from Adairs
Bed linens bunk beds: Quilt covers from Linen House, sheets from Savannah and Three, pillow cases from Pottery Barn Kids
Curtains: Warwick Fabric
Bed ladder: Oak dowel custom made by Michael

Small Decor

Vases: Kaz Morton Ceramics and Sheridan Australia
Blue bowl: Kmart

 DOLLY’S SHOP IT MOODBOARD

(Top to bottom L-R) 3 Beaches Palm Paisley Print | George White Brass Detailing | Nora Roberts Book | Kaz Morton Vase | Arrow Metal Woven Brass

I think that covers all of the big to little details on our gorgeous Dolly, but if not, please ask questions in the comments section below and I will do my best to source it. And for more vintage caravan goodness follow This Old Van on Instagram.

Carlene xx

Our sunshine in a van; our fresh spring air; our beloved Bumblebee. A joy to look at and even more to be in, we still get as many interior requests and questions regarding her as the day we completed her. Inspired by her sunny yellow interior, we keep things fresh with a neutral palette injecting vintage florals to pay homage to the vans heritage. With rattan and oak cabinetry throughout and little antique treasures, Bumblebee feels like the retro home you’ve always yearned.

Needing some more hints and tips on how to create your own BB? Watch here as we give you some space saving tips for for your own caravan living!

See below our resources guide from the paint colours, to the pendants and each itty bitty detail in between.

Overall Look and Feel

Exterior paint (yellow): Taubmans Sundial
Exterior paint (white):  Taubmans Big White
Interior paint (white): Taubmans Big White
Exterior decal: Advanced Signworks
Flooring: Godfrey Hirst “Spotted Gum” Vinyl Plank from DecoRug
Rattan Cabinetry: Ikea timber cabinet doors modified with rattan insert (you can now purchase rattan doors from Ikea)
Cabinet knobs: Kethy

Dining Nook

Woven Pendant: Beacon Lighting Byron Pendant
Bench Fabric (back rest): Hattie Daffodil from Warrick Fabrics
Bench Fabric (seat): Ambrosia Daffodil from Warrick Fabrics
Dining table: Resurfaced in Laminex Carrara Marble Laminate

Kitchen

Benchtop & splashback: Laminex Carrara Marble Laminate
Kitchen tapware: Direct import (Cedar and Suede)
Stove: Dometic
Fridge: Dometic
Sink: Ebay

Bed Corner

Bedspread: Linen House
Pillows: Adairs
Bed cushions: Adairs
Curtains: Montpellier Snow from Warwick Fabrics

Small Decor

Clock: Original
Vases: Vintage
Artwork: Etsy

I think that covers it but if not, please ask questions in the comments section below because no doubt others will have the same. To see more inspiration and images of our beloved van check out the blog post here.

Carlene xx