KITCHEN & DINING AREA Arched doors bring the old-world character that homeowner Wendy loves, while walls in Dulux Whisper White offer a contemporary look. A bench separates the kitchen from the dining area, creating a seat on one side and a spot to push the table underneath on the other, freeing up living space. Built-in seating along the wall offers plenty of space for guests.

cheat sheetWho lives here: Wendy Walklate,

a working mum; her husband John,

state director for commercial real

estate and investment company

CBRE; daughters Evie, 18; Ruby,

17; and Poppy, 13; plus Tommy

the dog and Stevie the cat.

Style of home: A four-bedroom

home with two bathrooms and two

powder rooms on a corner block.

Planning took three years

and the build took 11 months.

The total build cost $850k,

including architects’ fees. $$$$

This smart build mixes old with new, offering plenty of scope for modern family life WORDS JOANNE HAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHY TOBY SCOTT

meets past present

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F amily means everything to John and Wendy Walklate. When they renovated their 1880s Queenslander in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Bardon, it was with their three daughters in mind. “It was a brilliant house for small children,” says Wendy. “We really loved it.”

But as their daughters approached their teenage years and became more independent, the couple realised the girls, Evie, Ruby and Poppy, might benefit from a move closer to the city where they had easy access to public transport. “It was also quite hilly where we lived, so we had to use the car to do everything,” says Wendy. “And as the girls were growing up, we had a bit more time on our hands, too, and so liked the idea of being able to walk to cafes and restaurants.”

However, they were reluctant to leave their home. Renovating the house had been a labour of love, completed with the help of architect Paul Owen. “Paul understood how we like to live our lives and created a house where everything worked for us,” says Wendy. “So, we thought, why don’t we buy a block of land nearer to the city and ask Paul to design a house that would work equally well as the girls got older.”

The couple struck gold when they found a rare vacant block in inner-city Paddington, minutes from a vibrant high street with the restaurants and transport access they desired. The problem was the 418-square-metre site was half the size of their existing block.

But John and Wendy were confident that Paul and his team, including architect Steve Hunt, could design a home with space for family and friends to hang out together, and peaceful areas to

KITCHEN (opposite, top) The Smeg cooker was a non-negotiable from the start. “It helps set the traditional style for the kitchen,” says Wendy. STAIRCASE (opposite, bottom) Striking pistachio-green Winckelmans tiles feature throughout the home, linking each space. DINING AREA Wendy and John love their custom 12-seater table, designed by architect Paul Owen.

“ I think massive rooms are overrated. Smaller spaces bring people together” WENDY WALKLATE, HOMEOWNER

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spend time on their own. A good connection to the garden and pool area was also key, as was a fireplace, even in sunny Brisbane. “Believe it or not, it can get down to 5°C in winter,” says Wendy.

But perhaps most importantly, the house had to have character. While British-born Wendy adores old houses, she was also attracted to the practical advantages of a new build, such as sound-proofing, insulation and the sheer novelty of everything working properly.

“Luckily, our architect Paul was very accommodating of our tastes and, even though we have a brand new home, it has so much character,” says Wendy. “Because this was the second time we’d worked with him, he knew us well, and both John and I felt very comfortable with his suggestions for the house.”

One idea they loved was the clever use of tiling throughout the house, which links the various rooms and adds subtle colour, texture and that all-important character. “I particularly love the pistachio-green tiles, which are a nod to colours that would have been used in the 1880s,” says Wendy.

Despite a lengthy three years in the planning, the actual 11-month build ran smoothly. After having waited so long for their new home, the couple and their daughters couldn’t be happier with the result. “Because it’s so well planned with lots

of different areas, it doesn’t feel small at all,” says Wendy. “Unlike our previous house where the girls ran around on one level, we now have two storeys. Now that they’re teenagers, they have the whole of the upstairs level to themselves, with a bedroom each, a bathroom and a small sitting area.”

“Downstairs, there’s plenty of space for us all to do our own thing,” says Wendy. “One of the girls could be doing her homework at the kitchen bench while John is in the library playing his guitar, and I’m in the sitting room watching TV.”

Perhaps one of the home’s most successful aspects is the impressive double-height indoor/outdoor room that flows from the kitchen and out to the garden. It’s here that the family gathers for weekend dinners and get-togethers with friends. “The room was specifically designed so that we could fit in our big 12-seater dining table that Paul designed for our previous house, which we love,” says Wendy.

Having created a home that suits their maturing family, John and Wendy are in no hurry to move. “We’ll be here for a while,” says Wendy. “What it goes to show is that you don’t need a massive house to be comfortable as a family.” Find out more about Owen Architecture at owenarchitecture.com.au.

DINING AREA (above left) The back of the house opens up to the garden and pool to create more living space. LIBRARY (above) Exposed bricks add warmth to this multifunctional space. SITTING AREA (opposite, right) The Jetmaster fireplace gives this space a cosy ambience. EXTERIOR (opposite, below) Horizontal weatherboard cladding is a nod to the existing homes on the street.

bright idea Bench seating offers

flexibility and efficiency

in small spaces. Here,

the narrow dining space

features a room-length

built-in bench to match

a custom table.

The exterior shutters can be angled to block out the hot sun, so blinds and curtains aren’t necessary. “I love driving up to the house when all the shutters are open. It’s just special,” says Wendy.

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ENSUITE A spacious walk-in shower ensures the master bathroom is a haven. White subway tiles from Classic Ceramics give the space a clean, refined look. Blackbutt timber cabinetry links the space to the walk-in wardrobe. EVIE’S BEDROOM (opposite) Architect Paul says the cathedral ceilings give the girls’ rooms a “romantic, attic-like quality”. A three-quarter wall behind the bed hides a rail and drawers on the other side for a clever walk-in wardrobe.

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1. Entry2. Sitting area3. Kitchen4. Living/dining area5. Library6. Laundry7. Powder room8. Ensuite9. Walk-in robe

10. Master bedroom11. Ruby’s bedroom12. Evie’s bedroom13. Poppy’s bedroom14. Void15. Girls’ living area16. Linen cupboard17. Bathroom18. Powder room

star performer The floor-to-ceiling tiles

throughout the home link

each room, offering a clean

and cool look, while the

vertical lines add height

and drama.

Biggest regret: “Nothing. Quite honestly, there

isn’t anything we would change. It’s just a very

livable, easy and fun house. We love it.”

Best tip: “Don’t rush it. While the planning stage

took longer than we thought, it meant that every

detail was decided before we started building. That

meant that the build ran more smoothly and also

helped to keep the project under budget, because

everything had been costed beforehand.”

lessons learnt“ YOU CAN’T ESCAPE STRESS

SO JUST MAKE SURE YOU STICK TO THE BUDGET AND THAT EVERYONE IS DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE” WENDY WALKLATE, HOMEOWNER

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July John and Wendy purchase a narrow 400sqm block of land in Brisbane. October Architects Paul Owen and Steve Hunt are engaged. The land already has DA approval for a house, so John and Wendy amend the existing plans.

NovemberThe revised planning application is lodged. The design has to take into consideration a traditional building character overlay, which affects the size, design and materials used.

May Planning approval is granted.December After finalising every last detail, the drawings are completed and the project is put out to tender.

September Construction on the house finally begins. October The slab is poured.November The home’s walls are framed.December The heritage-style metal roof is put on.

April Work starts on the mammoth tiling job. May The move-in date is postponed after delays with the cabinetry installation.July The family finally move in, despite a few small jobs still in the works.

timeline

2011 2012 2013

BATHROOM (opposite) The main bathroom has to cope with three girls, so the shower is tucked behind a wall to allow the basin area to be used at the same time. POOL (top) Concrete surrounds the pool for a textured look. PORTRAIT (bottom) Wendy and John stand next to the front door, where the white tiles continue. Red bricks with concrete accents give the entry a traditional feel.

2014 2015

‘Titan’ showerhead, $458, and arm, $172, Caroma, caroma.com.au.1

3

Winckelmans porcelain tile in Pistache, $130/sqm, Eco Tile Factory, ecotilefactory.com.au.

‘Silk Indulgence’ carpet in Smoke Stipple, from $66/sqm, Godfrey Hirst, godfreyhirst.com.

3 GREAT FINDS

2Vitra ‘Panton’ chair, $475, Space Furniture, spacefurniture.com.au.

‘Victoria TRA4110BL’ cooker, $8690, Smeg, smeg.com.au.

material mix

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