Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Luxe, Low-Maintenance and Light-Filled Family Home
Architect Lisa Breeze designed a house for friends and now has the pleasure of seeing their family enjoying the space
An architect’s first house is often the starting point for launching a practice and a memorable, cherished accomplishment. That’s certainly the case for this Brisbane home in Queensland by architect Lisa Breeze. This house was her first solo project and a milestone achievement. To make it even more rewarding, it’s also a house Breeze designed for good friends and she now has the pleasure of seeing their family enjoy the space.
“This was the first Lisa Breeze Architect project to be commissioned, back in 2012,” says Breeze. “It took a number of years to break ground while the owners started their family and kicked career goals. Over that time the brief became a luxe, low-maintenance home for a family with two young boys.”
“This was the first Lisa Breeze Architect project to be commissioned, back in 2012,” says Breeze. “It took a number of years to break ground while the owners started their family and kicked career goals. Over that time the brief became a luxe, low-maintenance home for a family with two young boys.”
The classic Queenslander is purposefully designed for the subtropical climate with verandahs, screens and eaves to block the sun and create covered outdoor areas.
“These historical Queenslanders are an important reference point for design in this climate,” says Breeze. “It was delightful to explore the verandahs, eaves, screens and outdoor spaces to see the effects of these elements on the openness and air flow, and to play with light and shade throughout the building.”
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“These historical Queenslanders are an important reference point for design in this climate,” says Breeze. “It was delightful to explore the verandahs, eaves, screens and outdoor spaces to see the effects of these elements on the openness and air flow, and to play with light and shade throughout the building.”
Is your home pleading for a fresh new look? Find an architect near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read client reviews to get the process started
While the client’s brief evolved over time, the overriding aim was to create a family home that could accommodate their growing family and international guests for extended stays as well as hosting large dinner parties.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is at the rear of the house on the entrance/middle level. The children’s bedrooms are on the ground floor, and the parents’ bedroom is on the top floor. “Everyone in the family has their place for retreat,” says Breeze.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is at the rear of the house on the entrance/middle level. The children’s bedrooms are on the ground floor, and the parents’ bedroom is on the top floor. “Everyone in the family has their place for retreat,” says Breeze.
The architect used Houzz with her client to share ideas. “It was a great resource for explaining ideas through images that complemented the design drawings.”
Opening the front door provides a view down the hallway to the study where louvre windows frame the tree canopy and aid cross ventilation. “The study is bright, light and well-ventilated with nice views to the garden and with plenty of storage. It’s a small space that feels large, generous and pleasant to spend time in,” says Breeze.
Tax Break paint to front door: Resene
Opening the front door provides a view down the hallway to the study where louvre windows frame the tree canopy and aid cross ventilation. “The study is bright, light and well-ventilated with nice views to the garden and with plenty of storage. It’s a small space that feels large, generous and pleasant to spend time in,” says Breeze.
Tax Break paint to front door: Resene
The living, kitchen and dining area is a long and narrow light-filled space that spills onto a balcony with a view of the garden and skyline. A pitched roof creates an even greater sense of internal space and fulfills the local planning requirements. It also aligns with the Queenslander typology and isn’t overwhelming to the neighbours or streetscape.
While the living, kitchen and dining area is large and open, it’s also very inviting and comfortable with well-considered joinery and warm, tactile materials.
“It is important in these large areas to avoid dead spots or the feeling of a cavernous void. The pitched ceiling creates a balance between an intimate and grandiose space, while the pale grey cabinetry and light oak flooring and joinery help make the entire space cohesive,” says Breeze.
Huxley dining table: Jardan; Doll dining chair: Billiani
“It is important in these large areas to avoid dead spots or the feeling of a cavernous void. The pitched ceiling creates a balance between an intimate and grandiose space, while the pale grey cabinetry and light oak flooring and joinery help make the entire space cohesive,” says Breeze.
Huxley dining table: Jardan; Doll dining chair: Billiani
The owners love to cook and entertain, and a large kitchen island and 10-seat dining table provides plenty of space for large dinner parties. A separate walk-in pantry behind the kitchen provides additional space for bulk storage. “It’s fondly known as the Costco cupboard,” says Breeze.
Battens on side windows are strategically placed to screen out neighbours.
Milton Moon two-pack polyurethane to kitchen joinery: Dulux; Super White benchtop: CDK Stone; joinery handles: In-Teria
Battens on side windows are strategically placed to screen out neighbours.
Milton Moon two-pack polyurethane to kitchen joinery: Dulux; Super White benchtop: CDK Stone; joinery handles: In-Teria
Breeze custom-designed the joinery throughout the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. It not only provides storage and display space, but helps to define each zone.
Two drawers are recessed in an alcove at the end of the dining table, like a sideboard. (The study at the end of the entrance hall is tucked behind the opposite wall of the dining area.)
Two drawers are recessed in an alcove at the end of the dining table, like a sideboard. (The study at the end of the entrance hall is tucked behind the opposite wall of the dining area.)
Low-lying drawers run along both walls of the lounge area, with timber feature walls and shelving above. Breeze describes the colour and materials palette as “luxe yet low care,” with soft-toned natural stone, warm greys and soft blues. Oak flooring is also used on the feature walls and helps create a cohesive, unified space.
Milton Moon two-pack polyurethane to lower joinery: Dulux; Cloud oak timber to upper joinery and feature wall: Storey
Milton Moon two-pack polyurethane to lower joinery: Dulux; Cloud oak timber to upper joinery and feature wall: Storey
A narrow strip of louvre windows brings additional light and ventilation into the space. “At every opportunity there is an opening to bring light and air into the home and harness city views where possible,” says Breeze.
Andy sofa: Jardan
Andy sofa: Jardan
The laundry is on the ground floor with direct access to the outdoor drying deck and garden.
“Having lived in apartments for more than 10 years, the owners wanted a generously sized laundry. It is large, long and has plenty of storage, including concealed access to under the stairs where suitcases and golf clubs are stored,” says Breeze.
“Having lived in apartments for more than 10 years, the owners wanted a generously sized laundry. It is large, long and has plenty of storage, including concealed access to under the stairs where suitcases and golf clubs are stored,” says Breeze.
The exterior of the house is designed to be durable and low-maintenance, particularly because of the limited access around the house and tall elevations. Aluminium cladding has a horizontal linear pattern as a subtle reference to the vernacular weatherboard of the Queenslander.
The master suite and a nursery is on the top floor of the house where it has views towards the city and privacy from the street and neighbours. The bed is raised on a timber plinth to improve the outlook even further, and the pitched ceiling creates a greater sense of space, as it does downstairs.
The materials palette from the kitchen, dining and living area is also continued upstairs with oak, warm greys and soft blues.
The materials palette from the kitchen, dining and living area is also continued upstairs with oak, warm greys and soft blues.
A walk-in wardrobe is on the other side of the bedhead wall, where it provides lots of storage and a dressing table.
The ensuite is long and slim, comfortably fitting a double vanity, walk-in double shower and a large separate bath.
“One of the owners loves to create a steam room-esque situation in the morning, which is why the showers and bath are separated from the rest of the room,” says Breeze. The materials are as hardwearing as the finishes and colours used in the main living spaces.
Bedonia matt floor tiles: Artedomus; Inax Madoka MDK36 wall tiles: Artemous. Vogue Lilla matt wall tiles: Classic Ceramics
“One of the owners loves to create a steam room-esque situation in the morning, which is why the showers and bath are separated from the rest of the room,” says Breeze. The materials are as hardwearing as the finishes and colours used in the main living spaces.
Bedonia matt floor tiles: Artedomus; Inax Madoka MDK36 wall tiles: Artemous. Vogue Lilla matt wall tiles: Classic Ceramics
Another bedroom with a balcony faces the street and is separated from the master bedroom by the walk-in wardrobe. It is currently used as a children’s bedroom and may become a home office in the future.
“The sloped ceiling, lightly screened balcony, tree canopy and street views make it one of the nicest spaces in the home,” says Breeze. “It is lovely to see the final result of the entire house, and to see the family enjoy the spaces is very rewarding.”
Your turn
Which features in this home are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Ready to see more great homes? Start here with this Japan Houzz Tour: A Multi-Functional Staircase Takes Centre Stage
“The sloped ceiling, lightly screened balcony, tree canopy and street views make it one of the nicest spaces in the home,” says Breeze. “It is lovely to see the final result of the entire house, and to see the family enjoy the spaces is very rewarding.”
Your turn
Which features in this home are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Ready to see more great homes? Start here with this Japan Houzz Tour: A Multi-Functional Staircase Takes Centre Stage
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two young boys aged five and two
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Size: 382 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms
Architecture and design: Lisa Breeze Architect
Landscape design: Steven Clegg Design
The house is on a formerly vacant, skinny site that slopes steeply in two directions. The street is predominantly lined with large Queenslanders on wide blocks, so Breeze referenced the classic Queenslander typology but on a narrower scale. The height allows for views of the Brisbane skyline towards the back of the site, while complying with the local council’s height regulations.