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Dressed To Impress A couple with
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A spectacular site and bold design vision helped the owners of this Brisbane property create a welcoming and elegant family home from the ground up. Turn the page to take a tour...
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STUNNING HOMES FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
Dressed to IMPRESS
Spacious and super stylish, this Brisbane home embraces an atmospheric mix of dramatic tones and earthy finishes.
STORY Jackie Brygel | PHOTOGRAPHY Rix Ryan Photography
LIVING E.F. Chapman ‘Classic Ring’ one-tier chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. Artworks, grassweave wallpaper, sofas and armchairs, all Highgate House. Antique coffee table and side table. Joinery by Wyer+Craw. The fire surround feature stone is New York marble. Rug, Dash & Albert. Windows supplied by builder, Trademarkhomes (throughout).
“I REALLY ENJOY EVERY ASPECT OF THE DESIGN
AND BUILD PROCESS.” Christalla, homeowner
ENTRY Mirror and table lamps, all Highgate House. The console table was imported from the US. The chequerboard flooring is made from polished Carrara and Nero Marquina marble. LIVING/DINING Opposite The coffered ceiling, painted Resene Alabaster with recesses in Resene Gravel, is a unifying element in the highly patterned, highly textural open-plan space. Pendant lights, all The Montauk Lighting Co. Dining chairs, sofas, cushions, table lamps and artworks, all Highgate House. The dining table is part of Chris and Christalla’s existing collection. Sisal rug. The timber flooring is walnut, laid in a herringbone pattern and stained an oak colour.
Leigh Boswell, interior designer
mesmerisingmedleyofcolourandtexture unfoldsbeyondthethresholdofthislightfilled home in Brisbane’s leafy southern suburbs.ForownersChristallaandChris, it’s this sumptuous fusion of tactile materialsandmoodyhuesthatimbuestheir recentlybuilthomewithcharacterandsoul.
Whilethecoupleruntheirownbusinessinanunrelated industry,Christallasaysshehaslongharbouredapassion forinteriors.It’snosurprise,then,thatthemotherofthree takeseveryopportunitytoindulgethatpassion.
In May 2018, Christalla and Chris snapped up the 810-square-metrerectangularallotment.Locatedlessthan 6 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, the north-facing block’sexistingproperty–acharacterlesspostwarresidence – was completely rundown and had very few redeeming features. “We loved the fact that the block was elevated and located in a quiet street,” says Christalla. “But our intentionfromtheoutsetwastoknockdownandrebuild. Therewasnothoughtofrenovatingthathouse.”
Although the family’s previous renovation project hadonlyrecentlybeencompleted,Christallasaysshehad noqualmsaboutembarkingjustafewmonthslateronthe next chapter in their home journey. “I really enjoy every aspectofthedesignandbuildprocess,”saysChristalla.“I’m onsiteeverydayandlovebeinginvolvedfromtheground up – to the extent that it’s almost bittersweet for me on move-inday,asIknowtheprojecthascometoanend.”
Christalla,whohasalwaysfoundinspirationintraditional yet contemporary North American-style houses, had asuccinctbriefforaluxuriousbutlow-fusshomewitha strongconnectiontotheoutdoors.Forthisproject,sheand ChrisengagedBrisbaneinteriordesignfirmHighgateHouse tohelpbringtheirvisionintobeing,alongwithbuilding designersSynergyBuildingDesign,construction company TrademarkhomesandjoinersWyer+Craw.
Thisisthecouple’ssecondcollaborationwithHighgate HouseandfordirectorLeighBoswell,therewasjoyinthe reunion.“It’squiteajourneyfromconceptplansthrough to the final decorating touches, so you get to know the homeownerswell,”shesays.“Wewerereallyexcitedtohear thatonlyafewmonthsaftercompletingthefirstproject >
KITCHEN Morris Lantern pendant lights, The Montauk Lighting Co. Joinery by Wyer+Craw. Island and rangehood casing painted Resene Gravel; other joinery painted Resene Truffle. Benchtops in black granite (surrounding stove and sink) and Carrara marble. Custom counter stools, Highgate House. Marble splashback tiles (behind rangehood), mirrored subway tiles (below glass cabinet), sink and tapware, all Elite Bathware & Tiles. Wolf cooktop and oven, available from Winning Appliances. Vintage Tallin wall tiles (in butler’s pantry), Classic Ceramics.
project, Christalla and Chris had purchased a new block and we would be creating another beautiful, yet quite different,homewiththemagain.”
Certainly,there’splentytobothintrigueandpleasethe eye in this meticulously designed and decorated home. Consistent sprinklings of varying shades of green make welcome appearances inside and out – from the deep olive-grey joinery in the kitchen to the pool room’s vivid emerald-velvetbarstools.Thentherearetheelegantarched windows that frame views of the verdant garden. Not to mentionthatintriguingcofferedceilingandthestylishbut relaxed furnishings that create a sense of intimacy and comfortineveryroom...
The two-level home’s layout has been designed to maximiseitsfunctionality.“ChristallaandChrisentertain frequently, so the house had to work as well when filled withfamilyandfriendsasitdidforeverydayliving,”says Leigh.Onthegroundlevel,thecorelivingandentertaining spaces open to an alfresco zone complete with fireplace andoutdoorkitchen,beyond which beckons a shimmering poolandcabana.
Upstairsisthefamily’sprivatedomain.Therearelovely bedrooms for the children, but Chris and Christalla’s expansiveretreatissomethingtobehold:bird’s-eyeviews of the Brisbane CBD, a glamorous ensuite and simply spectaculardressingroom.
“Christalla had a lot of her own ideas when we started workingwithheronthishome,includingthearchedwindows and the interior stone detailing,” says Leigh. “Together we built on those ideas, and Darren from Wyer+Craw also played a key role in the design. It was very much a team effort, with Chris and Christalla involved every step of the way. We fed on one another’s ideas to bring thatvisionintoreality.”
Thefinishedproducthasdelightedallinvolved.Infused withadistinctsenseofspaceandserenity,thisisarelaxed home at its core, one that provides a happy base for the familyandtheirregularstreamofguests.“It’sjust a really warmandwelcomingplacetobe,”saysLeigh. >
Highgate House, Hendra, Queensland; (07) 3256 0860 or highgatehouse.com.au. Synergy Building Design, Wilston, Queensland; (07) 3613 0030 or synergybd.com.au. Trademarkhomes, Brisbane, Queensland; 0409 262 986.
POOL ROOM Top Barstools, Highgate House. Joinery by Wyer+Craw. Tequila marble benchtop. Alabama floor tiles, Classic Ceramics. POWDER ROOM Vanity, wall tiles (white) and floor tiles, all Elite Bathware & Tiles. Sconce lights, The Montauk Lighting Co. Wallpaper, mirror and lampshades, all Highgate House. FAMILY ROOM Opposite Etoile chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. Elle coffee table, Globe West. Artworks, cushions and table lamp, all Highgate House. The sofas are part of Chris and Christalla’s existing collection.
MAIN ENSUITE Victoria+Albert ‘Worcester’ bath, Elite Bathware & Tiles. Tapware, The English Tapware Company. Vanity and mirrored cabinets, Wyer+Craw. Carrara marble benchtop. Vivian double sconce, The Montauk Lighting Co. Lyon marble floor tiles, Tilescope. DRESSING ROOM Joinery by Wyer+Craw. Chandelier, The Montauk Lighting Co. MAIN BEDROOM Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, The Textile Company. Bedhead, bedlinen, bedside tables, table lamps, and cushions, all Highgate House. >
THE PALETTE
Resene Gravel (kitchen island, rangehood, pool room joinery)
Resene Quarter Truffle (main walls, throughout)
Resene Alabaster (dressing room and trims, throughout)
THIS IS THE LIFE
Brisbane’s subtropical climate allows its residents to make the most of the sunny outdoors throughout the seasons. And Christalla and Chris, who share the home with their three children aged between five and 13, are no exception. “We spend most of our time in the alfresco area,” says Christalla. “It’s fully enclosed and is such a lovely spot to spend time year-round. In summer, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the cooling breeze; in winter, the outdoor fireplace keeps us cosy.”
ALFRESCO ENTERTAINING Pendant light, The Montauk Lighting Co. Platinum travertine paving. Splashback tiles, Classic Ceramics. Chris and Christalla have owned the dining table for many years. Ceiling fan, My Fan. Sofa, armchairs, coffee table, dining chairs, and outdoor rug, all Highgate House. The home’s exterior is painted Wattyl First Snow.
