At Home With... Kylie Brady of DIY Decorator
Tell us what you think about this grand Queenslander for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher
Tamara Armstrong
28 September 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Lifestyle Photographer and Visual Artist based in the beautiful surrounds of the Gold Coast hinterland in sunny Queensland.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Lifestyle Photographer and Visual Artist based in the... More
Kylie Brady is the co-owner of DIY Decorator, a helpful decorating website providing daily news stories, DIY tips and decorating how-tos, launched in 2013. Brady admits she is in no way a minimalist and believes that with the right inspiration and a little know-how, it’s possible to create a beautiful home on a modest budget.
Brady and her family moved into their stunning abode in May 2013. Having grown up in Victorian and Edwardian homes in Melbourne before moving to Queensland, she longed for an old home with charming period features and character. She has used her experience as a trained interior designer and homewares buyer to decorate her 1930s Queenslander to suit both her style and the historical context of the home.
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell us what you love about Kylie Brady’s home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style. “I love Hamptons Style,” says Brady, “Donna has a great sense of style and has nailed the relaxed Hamptons coastal aesthetic that is so popular in Australia.” The winner of Kylie’s prize - a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style - has been announced. Well done, siriuskey!
Brady and her family moved into their stunning abode in May 2013. Having grown up in Victorian and Edwardian homes in Melbourne before moving to Queensland, she longed for an old home with charming period features and character. She has used her experience as a trained interior designer and homewares buyer to decorate her 1930s Queenslander to suit both her style and the historical context of the home.
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell us what you love about Kylie Brady’s home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style. “I love Hamptons Style,” says Brady, “Donna has a great sense of style and has nailed the relaxed Hamptons coastal aesthetic that is so popular in Australia.” The winner of Kylie’s prize - a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style - has been announced. Well done, siriuskey!
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kylie Brady, her husband, two teenage kids and their Snoodle, Gus
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a powder room
We spoke to Brady to find out more about her dream family home.
Who lives here: Kylie Brady, her husband, two teenage kids and their Snoodle, Gus
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a powder room
We spoke to Brady to find out more about her dream family home.
How did you come across your home?
I was telling a friend how I was struggling with life in the suburbs after returning from a two-year stint living in London. I missed the inner-city lifestyle. That afternoon I went searching and found this house.
Although we were not really planning to move, my husband agreed to go and at least look at it. As soon as he saw the views of Brisbane city from the front deck, he was sold. Lucky for us, the house had been on the market for some time and they had just dropped the price, which meant it was within our budget.
I was telling a friend how I was struggling with life in the suburbs after returning from a two-year stint living in London. I missed the inner-city lifestyle. That afternoon I went searching and found this house.
Although we were not really planning to move, my husband agreed to go and at least look at it. As soon as he saw the views of Brisbane city from the front deck, he was sold. Lucky for us, the house had been on the market for some time and they had just dropped the price, which meant it was within our budget.
What’s your favourite room in the house?
There are so many rooms in this house that I love, but it would have to be the upstairs deck where we eat dinner and entertain the most. The stretch of decking has a dining table and chairs at one end, with vintage cane chairs and a lounge at the other. There are black-and-white striped awnings all the way around to protect the deck from rain and the western sun in summer. Last year, we re-laid one section and stained and finished the decking to look like a boat deck. We also replaced all the balustrades with the tulip cutout, which is popular in Queenslander homes.
There are so many rooms in this house that I love, but it would have to be the upstairs deck where we eat dinner and entertain the most. The stretch of decking has a dining table and chairs at one end, with vintage cane chairs and a lounge at the other. There are black-and-white striped awnings all the way around to protect the deck from rain and the western sun in summer. Last year, we re-laid one section and stained and finished the decking to look like a boat deck. We also replaced all the balustrades with the tulip cutout, which is popular in Queenslander homes.
How would you describe your decorating style?
My decorating style is relaxed classic. I like to use neutral colours as the base and add colour and pattern with decor and soft furnishings. I love using vintage and antique pieces as I think they have more character and charm, but I will mix them in with modern pieces. I don’t think I could ever walk into a furniture shop and say, ‘I’ll have that matching set please’.
My decorating style is relaxed classic. I like to use neutral colours as the base and add colour and pattern with decor and soft furnishings. I love using vintage and antique pieces as I think they have more character and charm, but I will mix them in with modern pieces. I don’t think I could ever walk into a furniture shop and say, ‘I’ll have that matching set please’.
The main living area located next to the kitchen is where the family spend most of their time together.
What is your favourite item in the house?
One of my favourite pieces is a little brass and marble table I found on the Instagram feed of a Brisbane antiques dealer, The Old Boathouse. I commented ‘sold’ as soon as I saw it and picked it up the same day. It sits beside the lounge in our family room as side tables work better than a big bulky coffee table in that room. I love the marble top and I have a thing for pedestal tables – I now have five and counting.
What is your favourite item in the house?
One of my favourite pieces is a little brass and marble table I found on the Instagram feed of a Brisbane antiques dealer, The Old Boathouse. I commented ‘sold’ as soon as I saw it and picked it up the same day. It sits beside the lounge in our family room as side tables work better than a big bulky coffee table in that room. I love the marble top and I have a thing for pedestal tables – I now have five and counting.
What’s your hot design tip?
Don’t follow trends. Decorate for yourself. Blue and white ginger jars are popular at the moment, but I’ve had mine for years. Decor that has been collected over time feels far more real than a scheme that has been put together all at once.
My other design tip is to do your research before buying something. I often see rugs that are too small for the room they are in, or artwork that is not hung at the right height. Learning some of these decorating guidelines can make a big difference to the results you achieve.
Don’t follow trends. Decorate for yourself. Blue and white ginger jars are popular at the moment, but I’ve had mine for years. Decor that has been collected over time feels far more real than a scheme that has been put together all at once.
My other design tip is to do your research before buying something. I often see rugs that are too small for the room they are in, or artwork that is not hung at the right height. Learning some of these decorating guidelines can make a big difference to the results you achieve.
What have you learnt from renovating and decorating your home?
Since we have lived here we have built a carport, made over the deck and are about to re-do the ensuite. I would say the most important aspect of renovating is to do your research first. Be really clear about what you want, and what will work. Then find the best tradespeople you can. We were fortunate to find a great builder (LAK Constructions) who was easy to work with and just did everything right.
The classic kitchen is fresh, stylish and well suited to the home. Brady clearly loves blue and has cleverly added splashes of it with her decor, to subtly break up the white.
Since we have lived here we have built a carport, made over the deck and are about to re-do the ensuite. I would say the most important aspect of renovating is to do your research first. Be really clear about what you want, and what will work. Then find the best tradespeople you can. We were fortunate to find a great builder (LAK Constructions) who was easy to work with and just did everything right.
The classic kitchen is fresh, stylish and well suited to the home. Brady clearly loves blue and has cleverly added splashes of it with her decor, to subtly break up the white.
The dining room is located just down the hall and shows off Brady’s love for antique pieces. The sideboard is a family heirloom. She was grateful to have a space in the home, that could fit it. The white and blue colour scheme is carried through to the wallpaper in this room.
This buffet is beautifully adorned with a collection of new and old items. There’s a regal feel to it all. It was originally stained timber and Brady painted it using Annie Sloan chalk paint in ‘Antique White’ and ‘Napoleonic Blue’. She also replaced the brass handles with crystal ones.
Across from the dining room is the formal living room, which the family refer to as the ‘good room’. Brady absolutely fell in love with the original lead light cupboards in the entry details. They date back to the 1930s and would have originally been a dark stained timber.
The other project taken on since moving in was sanding back all the floorboards upstairs. They had been painted white with paving paint and were impossible to clean. Once sanded, there were five different species of timber ranging from a blonde pine through to Brookfield jarrah, which has a strong red tone. Even the staircase had two different types of timber, and the landing was chipboard.
Originally Brady had wanted a limewash look, but it would have looked pink if limewash was put over the red. So they settled on a darker walnut stain. The floor sander (Awesome Timber Floors) custom mixed the stain for each different species of timber so they would all end up looking the same. It was a difficult job, but they achieved a great result. Brady loves the contrast between the dark floors and all the white they have in the house.
The other project taken on since moving in was sanding back all the floorboards upstairs. They had been painted white with paving paint and were impossible to clean. Once sanded, there were five different species of timber ranging from a blonde pine through to Brookfield jarrah, which has a strong red tone. Even the staircase had two different types of timber, and the landing was chipboard.
Originally Brady had wanted a limewash look, but it would have looked pink if limewash was put over the red. So they settled on a darker walnut stain. The floor sander (Awesome Timber Floors) custom mixed the stain for each different species of timber so they would all end up looking the same. It was a difficult job, but they achieved a great result. Brady loves the contrast between the dark floors and all the white they have in the house.
Although the fireplace no longer works, the mirror backing looks fantastic and works in tandem with the mirror hanging above the mantlepiece.
The powder room was another favourite space in the home that won Brady over. The fittings match the age of the house and the wall detail and print add elegance.
Brady looked everywhere for a three-metre-long library unit and ended up finding this one on eBay. In the past she had been a bit nervous about buying things on eBay, but the quality of this piece was excellent and fits the space perfectly.
Artworks seen here are from Sprout Gallery, and the cushions are a mix of purchases from Etsy, independent homewares shops and fabric Brady bought online and sewed herself.
The downstairs bathroom is used mostly by Brady’s children. She has kept the decor simple, with a few pops of pink seen in the plant life and on the framed Chanel bottle illustration from Sprout Gallery.
In her teenage daughter’s bedroom there is a playful mix of pattern and textures in various shades of pinks and greens.
Brady has set up her office in the end room downstairs, where the the blue and white colour scheme continues.
IKEA picture ledges provide a great display option for family photos.
Delta office chair: Freedom Furniture
IKEA picture ledges provide a great display option for family photos.
Delta office chair: Freedom Furniture
A few office staples, with some Kate Spade gold and acrylic accessories to add a touch of luxury.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is in keeping with the magnificence and grandeur that the rest of the home delivers.
The wing-back bed is from Domayne, upholstered in Warwick Linum slate fabric and the bedlinen is from Laura Ashley. The bedside tables were from an antiques dealer in London. The bedside lamps are the Lyon lamp from Emac & Lawton and the linen lampshades were $15 from Bunnings – this is what Brady likes to call ‘hi-lo decorating’ – mixing investment pieces with bargain buys.
The wing-back bed is from Domayne, upholstered in Warwick Linum slate fabric and the bedlinen is from Laura Ashley. The bedside tables were from an antiques dealer in London. The bedside lamps are the Lyon lamp from Emac & Lawton and the linen lampshades were $15 from Bunnings – this is what Brady likes to call ‘hi-lo decorating’ – mixing investment pieces with bargain buys.
The ensuite continues the luxurious feel of the bedroom, fitted with a claw-foot bathtub and chandelier. The mirror was bought by the previous owner from the Paddington Antique Centre and the pedestal table is from the Wooloongabba Antique Centre. It’s an indulgent place to get ready in the morning.
COMMENT TO WIN
Tell us what you love about Kylie Brady’s home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style.
The winner of Kylie’s prize - a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style - has been announced. Well done, siriuskey!
Tell us what you love about Kylie Brady’s home in the Comments below, for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style.
The winner of Kylie’s prize - a $50 gift voucher from Hamptons Style - has been announced. Well done, siriuskey!
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I love the elegant simplicity, the light filled airy rooms, which give the feeling if not bring confined but at the same time there is a feeling of homeyness. Excuse the word. I absolutely love the mirror in the fireplace and the depth and contrasts in the diningroom.
Thanks for all of your comments, I'm so glad you enjoyed taking a look inside Kylie's home. We've chosen a winner, that's you @siriuskey, congratulations! We'll be in touch with you soon to organise the delivery of your prize :)
A really beautiful home full of lovely things, thank you so much