Where Old Meets New Natural, timeless, and downright gorgeous – those are words that spring to mind when looking at this pre-war home. WORDS: Natasha Pavez PHOTOGRAPHY: John Downs When looking at most renovated homes, it’s easy to see exactly where the old house once sat, especially when it has to be retained. But this Camp Hill home is a seamless blend of old and new, with a classic, natural feel throughout. For owner Danielle, it was important the house kept the character of its previous life, while taking on a Hamptons-style look. Project architect John Cunningham, of Cunningham Designs, describes this as a first. “It was unusual that it had to actually retain the character and carry that through the whole house,” he explains. “It’s not old, it’s not new – it’s in between.” Danielle knew that she could leave the design up to John and return to the home she dreamed of. Finding a builder was the next step, and in came Duayne Pearce of D Pearce Constructions. “We were always going to have Duayne because John spoke so highly of him,” Danielle recalls. “And it was completely justified.” To achieve the Hamptons look, the house has been built with recycled and natural materials. The result? A classic atmosphere that will stay in style for years to come. To carry the natural style through the home, stone walls were added to define the living and dining rooms. Bretts Architectural Solutions fit custom-made commercial-framed glazing around the feature wall to let in light. For John, this is the defining feature of the home: “It forms a nice feature, while 188
also offering lots of privacy.” Continuing the classic yet earthy feel, the stone motif is scattered throughout the home, both inside and out. Downstairs in the cellar, there’s a different look. To give this room the same touch as the rest of the house, Duayne cleverly sourced more recycled materials, including bricks from an old Melbourne cottage. Exposed brick walls give the room a rustic feel, while metal light fittings and wine racks modernise the look. Using recycled wood to frame the wine racks softens the rough feature – an old-fashioned room that’s still completely at home in the 21st century. Upstairs, the house has maximised its location, utilising the block to its best advantage. Spacious decks use the north-facing aspect, giving the family entertainment areas that can be used all year round. Both areas contain built-in barbecues, and the upstairs balcony has stunning city views. The aluminium cavity stacker doors were manufactured by Bretts Architectural Window Solutions, who were also responsible for the custom-made aluminium casement windows and French doors on the façade, perfectly keeping in with the pre-war architecture. Best of all for Danielle, the sliding doors recede into the walls – with all the doors pushed back, there is virtually no back wall on the house. “The combination of the space, the airiness and the openness is beautiful,” she says. “The flow is fantastic.”
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And that’s the only way to describe the house – it just flows. From the flooring to the abundance of windows and glass balustrading, there’s a sense of continuity to this home that very few renovated houses have. Rather than installing a more common narrow board parquet floor, a traditional European wide board parquetry pattern in a beautiful French Oak was installed by a skilled French parquet specialist from Queensland Timber Floors. The skill and attention applied to this job gave spectacular results, enhancing the French Oak’s unique grain features while blending in with the home’s clean lines. It’s a subtle nod to the residence’s classic appeal. Developed by Saveways, the kitchen comes complete with a butler’s pantry and exceptional storage. Although Danielle doesn’t spend all her time in the kitchen, she wanted a place where she could comfortably cook. Now, everything is at her fingertips. Finished in a satin two-pack with a Quantum Quartz bench top, the sleek and glamorous galley-style kitchen effortlessly blends in with the classic interior. To finish the design in lavish form, Saveways has also installed a solid timber tabletop in European Beech, supported by a stone pedestal – the same stone seen throughout the home. Every room takes advantage of natural light, while pale paint colours allow a neutral backdrop in every room – perfect for a whole range of styles. Thanks to Melinda Williams from Domayne, the house has been expertly styled, from the light fittings to the décor. Duayne also went the extra mile in sourcing products to complete the home, and the results are beautiful, offering unique yet classic 190
touches. Individually pressed tiles, purchased through Uptiles, grace the powder room walls, while the modern, sleek tapware has been sourced from Italian family business Zucchetti. The house is the second place in Australia, and the first residential property, to use these taps – it’s definitely one of a kind. Dark tiles, once again from Uptiles and wall finishes give the bathrooms a sense of elegance, perfect for lounging in the bathtub after a long day. And no candles required, thanks to ambient LED lighting around the bath! Of course, the home had to accommodate the family labrador, Maggie. To make sure she could always get around, Danielle decided a lift would be perfect. “Our granddaughter, Edie, loves it too! It’ll make her always want to come to our house.” Maggie also has a beautiful garden, a far cry from her roaming ground at her previous house. Grass and stone complement one another, trailing out to the backyard where a stunning infinity pool rests among the entertaining area. Custom designed fences and gates were manufactured and installed by Superior Fencing in a classic yet modern design, a nod to the pre-war architecture of the house’s façade. The low-maintenance and long-lasting aluminium design also features on the balcony balustrading and gives a sense of continuity throughout the home. No detail has been overlooked in designing and building this home, creating a space that Danielle, Duayne and John are all proud of. Danielle couldn’t be happier. “We were absolutely blessed,” she enthuses. “It’s like winning Lotto.”
D PEARCE CONSTRUCTIONS & CUNNINGHAM DESIGNS | PROJECT
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