Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Decorator and Builder Bring Work Home
A Brisbane-based interior decorator and her builder husband work hand-in-hand to create the ideal contemporary family home for their needs
Sally Walvin knows style and together with her husband John, the couple have created an idyllic home for their family – that are just about done with growing up. This three-storey modern home seamlessly combines the indoors with the outdoors in a light-filled celebration of earthy tones and sophisticated style.
The pair purchased this newly built home in 2010 after selling their 1940s Californian-style bungalow in the neighbouring suburb of Hawthorne, which they had spent eight years extensively renovating. With Sally’s style experience and John’s building know-how, the couple managed to put their stamp on the home with a few new additions. Each and every space in the Bulimba property has been decorated with attention to detail and all members of the family have been catered for in terms of practicality, space and style.
The pair purchased this newly built home in 2010 after selling their 1940s Californian-style bungalow in the neighbouring suburb of Hawthorne, which they had spent eight years extensively renovating. With Sally’s style experience and John’s building know-how, the couple managed to put their stamp on the home with a few new additions. Each and every space in the Bulimba property has been decorated with attention to detail and all members of the family have been catered for in terms of practicality, space and style.
Sally recalls that the state of the house when moving in was a little rundown, even though it was only five years old. “It provided a great shell – some fresh paint on the walls, a re-polish of the floors and a little TLC did wonders for the overall appearance of the home,” says Sally.
The use of neutral fabrics and eclectic designer furniture has helped achieve a space that feels relaxed and informal.
The family fell in love with the open-plan living area. This particular room, located next to the entry, is great for reading or entertaining, and Sally says it’s “beautiful and cosy in the winter sun.”
The family fell in love with the open-plan living area. This particular room, located next to the entry, is great for reading or entertaining, and Sally says it’s “beautiful and cosy in the winter sun.”
This office space turned sitting room is situated to the left of the front living room and is separated from the family’s dining room by a wall built by John.
There are two other official study areas in the home, which Sally says were necessary because she works mostly from home and the children are currently undertaking studies at university.
There are two other official study areas in the home, which Sally says were necessary because she works mostly from home and the children are currently undertaking studies at university.
The open-plan design of this main living space is very versatile. Sally recalls, “When our eldest daughter, Sophie, turned 21, we used this area to celebrate, with a sit-down dinner for 45 of her friends.” Generous in size, the main living space opens onto a tiled alfresco room. “The outdoor area provided room to dance. It was a lot of fun.”
Each morning, Sally particularly enjoys opening the bi-fold doors from the kitchen to bring the outdoors in, which is ideal for Queensland summers.
Chair: Cotswold Furniture
Each morning, Sally particularly enjoys opening the bi-fold doors from the kitchen to bring the outdoors in, which is ideal for Queensland summers.
Chair: Cotswold Furniture
Sally and John’s children were a little older when they moved to Brisbane, so there was no need for a big yard. The family were unanimous in their appreciation for the openness of this house.
The modern property has a north-easterly aspect and the family make great use of the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
“We love the close proximity of the pool and the fact that you can see water from many parts of the home,” says Sally.
The modern property has a north-easterly aspect and the family make great use of the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
“We love the close proximity of the pool and the fact that you can see water from many parts of the home,” says Sally.
The couple gave the garden a makeover and John installed the outdoor kitchen to really transform the space.
The family enjoy entertaining as well and also used this great space to celebrate John’s 50th birthday with 35 guests.
The family enjoy entertaining as well and also used this great space to celebrate John’s 50th birthday with 35 guests.
Sally’s use of natural embellishments, seen here in the alfresco area, create a down-to-earth style, perfect for relaxing.
“I am inspired by nature so I often arrive home laden with foraged finds,” says Sally.
Daybed: Ascot Teak; cushion covers: Ambience Store
“I am inspired by nature so I often arrive home laden with foraged finds,” says Sally.
Daybed: Ascot Teak; cushion covers: Ambience Store
Astro turf has been laid in the small garden area, located next to the pool and just outside of the family lounge room. It keeps outdoor maintenance low.
The outlook over the pool area and trees creates a relaxed and resort-like vibe. Sally says, “We often feel as though we are on holidays.”
The outlook over the pool area and trees creates a relaxed and resort-like vibe. Sally says, “We often feel as though we are on holidays.”
Sally says a beautiful home for her can evolve around textured rugs, art, beautiful books, vintage finds, pots of fresh herbs, flowers, personal pieces from travels and the aroma of candles.
This corner really shows off her signature style and flair for creativity, teaming designer decor with sentimental, personal belongings.
The ‘travel shelf’, as the family call it, was built by John and is used to house collected treasures, souvenirs, books and small items of art that the family has discovered during adventures and holidays.
This corner really shows off her signature style and flair for creativity, teaming designer decor with sentimental, personal belongings.
The ‘travel shelf’, as the family call it, was built by John and is used to house collected treasures, souvenirs, books and small items of art that the family has discovered during adventures and holidays.
Sally uses this corner to meditate and unwind with a cup of tea while taking in the view of the pool and tress.
“I do love colour but in my daily work I am exposed to a kaleidoscope of colourful fabrics and the like, so I find coming home to a calming environment is timeless and offers me the opportunity to recharge my creativity,” says Sally.
This mirror from Gypset Cargo in Byron Bay is cleverly used as a tray.
“I do love colour but in my daily work I am exposed to a kaleidoscope of colourful fabrics and the like, so I find coming home to a calming environment is timeless and offers me the opportunity to recharge my creativity,” says Sally.
This mirror from Gypset Cargo in Byron Bay is cleverly used as a tray.
The kitchen is the centre of the home, and for that reason, is an ideal gathering space for the family.
Plants and floral arrangements seen around the home are provided by Stalks & Stems, a local florist that Sally regularly uses for her clients and other styling projects.
Sally acknowledges that plants are very popular in home styling at the moment and admits she can’t get enough of them!
One of her favourite features of the home is the scullery, which is neatly tucked away to the side of the kitchen.
Sally acknowledges that plants are very popular in home styling at the moment and admits she can’t get enough of them!
One of her favourite features of the home is the scullery, which is neatly tucked away to the side of the kitchen.
Inside the scullery, things are kept open and organised for ease and accessibility. Sally believes, “If you can see it, you will use it.”
Her nana’s tea cups are displayed on the shelves along with recipe books and collected glassware.
The scullery is very generous in size and provides an ideal area for food prep. There is also a desk located inside, which Sally uses to keep the household affairs in order.
Her nana’s tea cups are displayed on the shelves along with recipe books and collected glassware.
The scullery is very generous in size and provides an ideal area for food prep. There is also a desk located inside, which Sally uses to keep the household affairs in order.
The lounge room, located at the back of the home, is where the family often gather after dinner. This space becomes the main living area during winter when it’s too cold to use the alfresco area.
“We all have our own space in this house but we can gather easily as a family, which is so important to us,” says Sally.
“We all have our own space in this house but we can gather easily as a family, which is so important to us,” says Sally.
Sally is quite eclectic in her choice of furniture, as she is drawn to textural and earthy tones in addition to lovely finishes.
Bursts of colour appear throughout the home and this is largely seen in the family’s collection of original artwork.
Upon entering the home, a large portrait by Sunshine Coast artist Michael Whitehead hangs between expansive glass windows.
Upon entering the home, a large portrait by Sunshine Coast artist Michael Whitehead hangs between expansive glass windows.
All four bedrooms are located on the top level of the home, along with Sally’s creative home office.
Glass balustrades are cleverly used to allow more light in, as well as to continue with the open design and layout.
Glass balustrades are cleverly used to allow more light in, as well as to continue with the open design and layout.
Sally’s home office is located at the top of the stairs with sliding door access to a front verandah.
The natural light and clever storage makes this a relaxed space to work. Due to the location and open design, Sally says she still feels like part of the household and at the same time is able to ‘get lost’ in her own space.
The natural light and clever storage makes this a relaxed space to work. Due to the location and open design, Sally says she still feels like part of the household and at the same time is able to ‘get lost’ in her own space.
The main bedroom is the darkest room in the home as the grey feature wall had been painted before the family moved in.
The artwork that hangs above the bed is by John Maitland.
Chair: Ruby Star Traders
The artwork that hangs above the bed is by John Maitland.
Chair: Ruby Star Traders
Sally wasn’t a big fan of the wall colour yet she has made it work with sheer drapes and a neutral palette.
“Being an interior decorator, I see a lot of beautiful pieces when I am out sourcing for different projects,” explains Sally. She credits this wide exposure to helping define her own unique style over the years. “I do like the theory, ‘spend a little more on a little less’.”
“Being an interior decorator, I see a lot of beautiful pieces when I am out sourcing for different projects,” explains Sally. She credits this wide exposure to helping define her own unique style over the years. “I do like the theory, ‘spend a little more on a little less’.”
The main bedroom also features a generous walk-in-robe and spacious ensuite.
Sally adds a few personal touches to soften this ultra-modern ensuite, with her inclusion of a few styling go-tos: a rustic wooden stool to hold towels, a floral arrangement on the edge of the bath tub and an Armadillo & Co rug.
Another well-styled corner provides a quiet place to sit and read at the top of the staircase.
The hallway provides aerial views to the pool and garden area below, with one whole wall consisting of glass louvers and large grid-framed windows.
The hallway provides aerial views to the pool and garden area below, with one whole wall consisting of glass louvers and large grid-framed windows.
Thomas’ bedroom is the first along the hallway and provides adequate space. His belongings even lend themselves to become personalised styling features.
Affordable framed artwork from La Grolla and the black bedside barrel holding a copper lamp from Bisque Interiors provides the right amount of masculinity and expression in this space.
Affordable framed artwork from La Grolla and the black bedside barrel holding a copper lamp from Bisque Interiors provides the right amount of masculinity and expression in this space.
As her bedroom clearly shows, twenty-year-old Georgie has a passion for fashion and designer brands.
Chair: Ruby Star Traders; side table: Dare Gallery
Chair: Ruby Star Traders; side table: Dare Gallery
John also transformed a storage area on the ground level of the home into a temperature-controlled wine cellar with a 1500 bottle capacity.
It has provided the grown up family with yet another area to come together and entertain in. The cellar is generous in size and also houses more of the family’s acquired travel mementos while showcasing John’s love for sports and his collection of memorabilia.
Concrete bench: Bisque Interiors
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
It has provided the grown up family with yet another area to come together and entertain in. The cellar is generous in size and also houses more of the family’s acquired travel mementos while showcasing John’s love for sports and his collection of memorabilia.
Concrete bench: Bisque Interiors
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
Who lives here: Sally and John Walvin with two of their three children, Georgie, 20, and Thomas, 17, and the family dog, Zach.
Location: Bulimba, Brisbane
Size: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 home offices and a wine cellar
Sally is the founder and principal stylist of Creating Style, and along with her builder/developer husband John of Walvin Construction, the pair have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in home renovations from transforming a large number of Queensland homes, spanning over 20 years.