Photography: Brock B
The Sunshine State’s breezy way of life attracted New Zealanders Jeffrey and Melanie when they considered moving abroad with their son William, 19, and daughter Jessica, 18. But it was the potential of a charming old Queenslander that sealed the deal for the family. The only downside? The old was a serious fixer-upper that would require a thorough renovation and extension.
“The landscaping was completely overgrown and the house was run-down and deteriorating,” says Darren James of Darren James Interiors, who helmed the 13-month project. “It all told the story of a house that had been adapted over many years without any major cohesive planning.” The extension and renovation were a huge success. The once-cramped abode is now a luxurious haven, with an entirely new layout, greater functionality and a blend of modern style and heritage charm.
But don’t take our word for it. Scroll through the stunning before and after images of this Queenslander makeover and extension, then take in the owners’ hard-earned renovating advice.
The extension and renovation journey
Who? Jeffrey and Melanie, their son William, 19, daughter Jessica, 18, and dog Riley.
Where? Inner-city Brisbane.
Original property? A three-bedroom, one-bathroom Queenslander.
Time frame? 13 months.
Why renovate? Situated in a leafy suburb near the CBD, the owners loved the location and wanted to fix up the old heritage home.
Much-haves? An informal dining space and a pool.
The works? Raising and building underneath the home, reconfiguring the upper level and extending.
Favourite aspect? “The integrated kitchen has been wonderful,” says Melanie. “The main bench always looks incredible.”
How was the extension achieved?
The renovation involved excavating the lower level, squaring the site and raising the Queenslander. Darren says he then had to reconfigure the upper level and extend the rear “to create a generous, modern family home with indoor-outdoor flow, a pool, and landscaped gardens”.
A thoughtfully designed layout was key. The couple prioritised a generous downstairs entertaining space to host family from New Zealand. This was the main aim of the extension. Meanwhile, the upper level was kept private and serene. The heart of the home – and the biggest splurge – became the kitchen and dining area. “This space provides us with pleasure everyday, so it was well worth the investment,” says Melanie.
Nearly every design decision was guided by a commitment to honour the home’s heritage, while adding a fresh, contemporary edge. “We worked closely with our town planner, who outlined exactly what needed to be retained and what flexibility we had,” explains Darren.
The homeowner’s best renovating advice
“Spend time investigating the companies you’ve shortlisted to do your interiors or renovation,” says Melanie, who suggests visiting candidates’ earlier projects to see how they’ve aged. “Most renovations look amazing in the first six months. But more importantly, how do they look after three years? These project visits offered us so many insights and provided a better idea of the workmanship and planning that went into a project.”
The biggest lessons the homeowners learnt
With plans to both raise their original home and add an extension, Jeffrey and Melanie knew the renovation journey would be lengthy and expensive. Setbacks, including difficulties excavating the lower-ground floor and discovering asbestos, added costs as well as time. This reinforced the importance of planning both budgets and timelines with the worst-case scenario in mind. “We had a budget and a buffer; both were used,” says Melanie.
Tour the light and bright home
After 13 months, the results speak for themselves and the family are thrilled that this is their forever home.
Entrance
The ground floor has a mix of materials, including the polished concrete flooring. An entry screen made of painted aluminium rods encased in a curvaceous MDF profile creates extra privacy near the entrance, while welcoming natural light into the space.
Kitchen
The kitchen has generous bench space, a large, open scullery and integrated appliances. “We collaborated with Farmers Doors to create a custom jonery profile – a modern take on the traditional Shaker – nodding to the home’s heritage,” shares Darren. He chose a natural oak finish for the cabinetry to complement the sage veining in the Cristanza quartzite benchtops from Artedomus. Kickboards crafted from Japanese ‘Antilia’ tiles by Artedomus surround the island base.
Casual dining nook
“We spend the most time together in our dining nook, which is the best place to share our day,” says Melanie of the built-in banquette. The seat is upholstered in ‘Omni’ fabric in Swamp by James Dunlop Textiles, while the bespoke table was created with Christopher Blank. The theme of colourful artworks carries on to this space, with paintings by Harold David (in the hallway) and Joanne Napangardi Wheeler (above the banquette) adding personality.
Living room
As part of the extension, the living room is spacious. “We used a deep bottle-green sheer curtain to add a sense of warmth and intimacy,” says Darren of the net-like Kvadrat ‘Aerio 0024’ fabric. “This, with the building’s brick plinth and contemporary furniture, created a space that felt layered, cosy and cohesive.” Against floor-to-ceiling views, the relaxing living area stars ‘Frida’ nesting coffee tables and a ‘Thursday’ modular sofa, both from Jardan.
The rug is a burst of brightness in the otherwise muted space. When being bold with colour, “The key is knowing when to let it lead and how to balance it with texture, natural stone or neutral tones, so it feels cohesive,” says Darren. This, he says, helps avoid overwhelm.
Reading nook
A Ross Gardam ‘Hearth’ occasional chair is within arm’s reach of chic open shelving in the living area, decorated with books, framed photos and objets d’art. A vivid ‘Parma Terra’ area rug from The Rug Establishment anchors the space.
Powder room
The rich red hue of Porter’s Paints ‘Fresco’ plaster envelops the upper walls in the powder room. “We paired it with another beautiful quartzite from Artedomus called Jade Wine, which added to the depth and contrast in the room,” says Darren.
Alfresco dining and pool
The front facade might be a classic Queenslander but the rear exterior is reminiscent of Mediterranean architecture. A grand trio of archways nod to the home’s subtropical surrounds. “We introduced ‘La Paloma’ Austral Bricks in Castellana for the archways and boundary wall, adding another layer of texture and warmth,” says Darren. “It all comes together in a cohesive balance of old and new.”
Now the extension and renovation of their Queenslander is complete, Melanie and Jeffrey couldn’t be happier. “Darren James created the most beautiful space for us to live in,” shares Melanie.
Source book
Interior design and building: Darren James Interiors, darrenjames.com.au.
Joinery: Farmers Doors, farmersdoors.com.
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