With its perfectly suited climate and laidback lifestyle, it’s little wonder the Hamptons style is flourishing in the Sunshine State. Blending seamlessly with traditional Queenslander architecture – both tend to feature gable rooflines, weatherboard cladding and deep verandahs with coastal-inspired interiors – the result is often a home reminiscent of long, lazy days spent at the beach.
CLASSIC BEAUTY With its sweeping frontage, Courtney and Jayce’s home has serious street appeal. Courtney selected Dulux Sea Cliff Quarter for the front door and custom Steel-Line garage door. “Having the garage door painted voided the warranty – but it was worth it as the blue adds a beautiful holiday feel, and so far, no problems! Walls are clad in Linea weatherboards by James Hardie painted in Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter.
This is precisely what Courtney and Jayce envisioned when they embarked on a new build on Brisbane’s northside for their young family, which includes two girls, Sierra, eight, and Baylee, four. “I grew up in an old Queenslander on the Sunshine Coast and was nervous about the girls growing up in the city,” says Courtney, “so we decided to create a home with a relaxed holiday vibe and were lucky enough to find a property directly opposite expansive parklands and a brook!”
KITCHEN Courtney loves spending time with her daughters Sierra and Baylee in the sun-soaked kitchen. The Essastone ‘Unique Calcutta’ island bench has ‘Lorne’ vases from Globe West on top and is teamed with ‘Wicker Ball’ pendants from House of Orange and ‘Sorrento’ stools from Abide Interiors. The other benches are finished in Lithostone ‘Aspro’. The island is two-pac Dulux Highgate, while all other cabinets are in Dulux Casper White. Courtney selected ‘Imes’ pulls for the kitchen, ‘Elsa’ knobs for the pantry and ‘Elysian’ pull-out kitchen mixers, all in brushed brass from Abi Interiors.
The kitchen features a fluted apron sink from Belfast Sinks while the splashback tiles are ‘Newport’ small square tiles in Matt White from Tile Cloud. The Pitt Cooking natural gas cooktop was a splurge. “We nearly didn’t get it because of the cost, but so glad we did,” says Courtney.
After meeting with multiple builders, the couple settled on Lee Ambrose from Ambrose Design + Construct. “I wanted to be very involved in the design decisions, so needed someone who would respect my views. We’d worked with a builder previously who barely spoke to me and always deferred to Jayce. In this case, Jayce didn’t want to be involved in any of the design decisions, I was taking the lead, so finding a builder who respected that was imperative.”
Fortuitously, the family rented the house next door throughout the 11-month build, “which meant trades could just pop over if there were any last-minute decisions.”
LIVING/DINING The light-filled living room is simply furnished with a ‘Westport’ slipcover sofa from Freedom and ‘Traditional’ occasional chairs from Malawi Cane. An art print from Oz Design Furniture and cushions covered in Casamance ‘Giardini’ and ‘Larimar’ from Tahn Interiors add a pop of colour.
While the overall vision was for a white coastal-style home, the couple included plenty of personalised touches. “I’ve always had my heart set on a banquette,” says Courtney of the dining nook. The replica Saarinen ‘Tulip’ table is illuminated from above with a ‘Capiz’ chandelier from Freedom.
“This is our forever home. We didn’t build to sell, we built to stay – so we could do a pink bathroom knowing it wouldn’t appeal to everyone, but it didn’t matter, it was just for us.”
ENTRANCE In a nod to traditional Queenslander homes, a feature wall in the full height entry void is finished in Easycraft ‘Easypanel VJ’ panels. The flooring throughout is ‘Clever Oak Elegance Manchester’ from Marques Flooring.
Courtney’s advice to those wanting to take the design lead on their own projects, is to allow time for planning. “I spent a year considering the layout and hours and hours researching products and finishes. It’s hard because you just want to get in, but it’s worth getting it right.” Courtney also credits the Three Birds Renovations’ Reno School. “It’s empowering to realise, as women, we do know what we want – and with some knowledge can convey that on-site.”
MAIN BEDROOM “The light is beautiful in here,” says Courtney of the serene main suite.
A bed from Incy Interiors is dressed in custom ink linen bedding from Tahn Interiors and a striped bedhead cushion made by Courtney.
With good communication and planning, the build ran smoothly and was completed just after the pandemic hit. “Our main vision was for a house that encapsulated indoor-outdoor living – and we were doubly grateful for that during the lockdowns.”
MAIN ENSUITE Courtney coveted brass mirrors for the bathrooms but at hundreds of dollars each, she decided to save money by spray painting Kmart mirrors in brass. Custom timber vanity by Hello Trader.
MAIN ENSUITE Courtney added a coastal touch to the main ensuite shower with ‘Clay’ tiles in Aqua from Beaumont Tiles. The brass hinges on the shower screen are from Abi Interiors as is the ‘Cali’ double shower rail.
Today, the home’s connection to its alfresco spaces is still one of Courtney’s favourite aspects. “It means the girls can swim as I cook dinner or run around outside as I’m cleaning. It encourages them to spend more time outdoors and less time in front of screens.”
BAYLEE’S BEDROOM Layers of softness have been added to Baylee’s bedroom with a washable ‘Caitlin’ rug from Miss Amara, a velvet ‘Mateo’ cover by Bianca Lorenne and a floral bedhead cushion made by Courtney.
GIRLS’ BATHROOM Pretty in pink, the main bathroom has ‘Atmosphere Pink’ tiles from Beaumont Tiles teamed with an ‘Oscar’ floor-mounted bath filler.
SOURCE BOOK
Building design: Koda Design, (07) 3397 3003, kodadesign.com.au.
Builder: Lee Ambrose, Ambrose Design + Construct, (07) 3325 9141, ambrose.com.au.
Cabinetmaker: Kingswood Cabinets, (07) 3204 0488.
LAUNDRY The striking floor tiles are ‘Serie Grafton in Ocean from Beaumont Tiles and the splashback tiles are ‘Whoosh’ in Smoke Grey from National Tiles. Fluted apron sink from Belfast Sinks and ‘Elysian’ mixer from Abi Interiors.
REAR EXTERIOR Courtney relaxes outside in a hanging chair from Home Bazar. Cushions from Tahn Interiors covered in James Dunlop ‘Evergreen’.
POOLSIDE A ‘Jardin Patio’ umbrella in coral from Basil Bangs contrasts beautifully against cushions from Tahn Interiors covered in James Dunlop ‘Light Opal’. The white planters were an affordable buy from Target.
Words: Tahn Scoon
