Season 2
House 1: A Mid Century Modern Dilemma
The Allure of Mid Century Modern
In the picturesque suburb of Stafford Heights, Brisbane, lies a home with a history as vibrant as its mid century modern architecture. Lisa, the proud owner, has faced the timeless homeowner dilemma: to renovate or rebuild. With the assistance of a talented team comprising interior designer James Treble, dynamic duo Jimmy and Tam, renowned architect Paul Butterworth, Lisa embarked on a journey to revitalize her beloved abode.
Lisa’s home is not just a structure; it’s a sanctuary brimming with character and nostalgia. With its mid century modern design, reminiscent of Palm Springs chic, Lisa was smitten from the moment she laid eyes on it. James Treble, captivated by the home’s charm, eloquently described it as a “match made in pink flamingo heaven.” Lisa’s affection for the home was evident as she reminisced about its original features, from the iconic pink bathroom to the shagpile carpet, all enveloped in an ambiance of natural light and breezy openness.
Despite her love for the home, Lisa found herself at a crossroads. Years of wear and tear had taken their toll, presenting a laundry list of maintenance issues – peeling paint, faulty electricals, and inadequate indoor-outdoor flow among the challenges facing the home. However, amidst these shortcomings, Lisa’s attachment to the house remained unwavering, fueled by fond memories and a deep appreciation for its unique aesthetics.
The Team
Jimmy and Tam
With the assistance of the expert team, Lisa delved into two compelling options: renovation and rebuilding. Jimmy thought the place was about to fall down and was all for a rebuild, emphasizing the potential for innovation and modernization. Conversely, Tam advocated for preservation, envisioning a revitalized home that retained its original charm. Paul Butterworth, with his passion for sustainability, offered insights into maximizing the home’s potential while respecting its heritage.
DESIGN OPTIONS
Team Rebuild
Starting from the facade, the rebuild design is a knockout. Not only does it nail the brief of the mid century modern style, it is conscious of what was there before, helping it fit into the suburb and surrounding houses.
Taking advantage of the elevated height and sea breezes, the rebuild will push the house up on the block, activating the perfect space for a pool that connects beautifully with the house.
Under the house and through the internal courtyard the entry is cleverly shaded and invites you up.
Upstairs, the house is separated into sleeping and bathrooms at the back, an open kitchen, dining, living and deck at the front. Those high ceilings and the open plan layout of the living areas optimize airflow to create a comfortable and naturally ventilated space, perfect for this Queensland location.
The rebuild design presents Lisa with a stunning home that will be extremely comfortable to live in with plenty of natural light and natural air flow and with a whopping 7.4 star energy rating she won’t need to worry about her energy bills.
Depending on the construction method the estimated cost of the rebuild is in $700,000-$900,000 range.
DESIGN OPTIONS
Team Renovate
The renovate design has opted to enhance the original features Lisa loves, and build on them with a new front balcony and facade, extending the living area upstairs and creating a visually striking and functional entrance.
This is topped off with an awesome new plunge pool, with brick cladding to tie into the original house. Not only will this be a hit in summer, it adds to the feel of the mid century modern design.
Through the front door, the original staircase is refurbished and leads up to the new dining room, and into the kitchen.
The kitchen’s original features will remain but will get a cosmetic injection with a new bold colour dear to Lisa and the mid century modern aesthetic.
Looking out from the kitchen the new balcony opens up the space and connects with the greater suburb. This also invites the cooling breezes this elevated home enjoys.
The rest of the house will be freshened up with light touches – new paint, new fans, upgraded insulation and new lighting throughout.
A slightly lower energy rating of 6.9 stars means that the renovate design may use a little more energy to keep the home comfortable and cool but renovating also avoids creating waste from demolishing the old home – plus saving that original bathroom she loves may well be a deciding factor.
The overall estimated cost has come in at $450,000
The Big Decision
The Verdict
After much deliberation, Lisa made her choice: to renovate. With a nod to practicality and a desire to preserve cherished memories, she opted for a design that honored the home’s history while addressing its needs for modern living. Real Estate Agent Alex Jordan’s insights into the financial implications provided valuable perspective, guiding Lisa towards a decision that balanced her lifestyle aspirations with budgetary considerations.
THE RESULT
A Mid-Century Modern Revival
The renovate design opted to enhance the original features Lisa loves, and build on them with a new front balcony and facade
With an amazing mural by Drapl, Paul’s signature Y column and a mix of mid-century modern design and materials, the whole house pops with colour and style.
The entrance is amazing, treating the home owner and visitors to a sequence of classic design features, guiding them through the refurbished original stairway up into the new extended living room with a beautiful feature light.
The kitchen is a sight to behold. Retaining the quirky features Lisa loved, the surfaces have gotten a bold colour injection.
The flow from inside to outside is achieved brilliantly with the sliding door open, or closed, the balcony and the extended views connect the suburb and beyond and catch all the breezes you need in this hot environment. With the airflow helped and maintained with these super stylish Fanco Fans, the whole space just sings.
Elsewhere in the home, the lightest of touches has seen rooms go from drab, to fab. This whole transformation is incredible.
Shop the look
Explore the brands featured in this episode
Ultimate Windows is Melbourne’s leading supplier of uPVC double glazed windows & doors.
Bondor® is Australia’s leader in complete thermal building solutions and lightweight architectural panels.
Energy Matters is an award-winning company dedicated to all things energy, with a passion for sustainability & clean energy. Get quotes for your solar and battery storage needs.
Fanco is Australian owned, creating quality ceiling fans and ventilation products, perfect for Australian homes and commercial projects.
Alex Jordan is QLD’s #1 agent for McGrath QLD, awarded #1 Top Residential Agent QLD – REA (realestate.com.au) Excellence Awards 2020 and named brisbanehomeprices.com ‘Agent of the Year’ for four consecutive years, Alex Jordan achieves such accolades with his distinctive ability to maximise the perceived value of a property.
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