Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An 'Olde' Blacksmith's Cottage Lives On in Style
A chic renovation transformed this 19th-century mountain cottage from mouldy and dark to delightful and light
Located in the beautiful setting of Tamborine Mountain sits a friendly blue cottage with a story to tell. The fresh mountain air and laid-back lifestyle suited mother and daughter Fiona and Alexis Porteous to a tee.
When experienced renovator Fiona found and purchased the blacksmith’s cottage in Olde Eagle Heights on Tamborine Mountain, the plan was to renovate it, sell it and move on to the next project – but life had other plans. On completion of the renovation, an offer was accepted, but the buyers were unable to raise the finance and so the sale fell through. Fortunately, Fiona discovered that what she had actually created was an ideal mountain abode for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, Alexis.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Fiona Porteous, her daughter Alexis and their Border Collie, Jessica
Location: Tamborine Mountain, Queensland
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Era built: Late 1880s
That’s interesting: A local blacksmith and his wife once resided in the cottage, which inspired the name.
When experienced renovator Fiona found and purchased the blacksmith’s cottage in Olde Eagle Heights on Tamborine Mountain, the plan was to renovate it, sell it and move on to the next project – but life had other plans. On completion of the renovation, an offer was accepted, but the buyers were unable to raise the finance and so the sale fell through. Fortunately, Fiona discovered that what she had actually created was an ideal mountain abode for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, Alexis.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Fiona Porteous, her daughter Alexis and their Border Collie, Jessica
Location: Tamborine Mountain, Queensland
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Era built: Late 1880s
That’s interesting: A local blacksmith and his wife once resided in the cottage, which inspired the name.
“I was really surprised at how rundown it was. It had an old and very large but slightly odd kitchen, and as I walked from the kitchen out toward the balcony, there was a noticeable drop,” Fiona says. “It was also the worst house on the best street in Olde Eagle Heights, which carries a certain stigma for residents who live on Tamborine Mountain.”
It turns out that the house was sitting on top of a water tank, however it had been partially re-stumped and recently fitted with a brand new roof.
Undeniably, the task at hand was huge, but with Fiona’s experience renovating five previous homes, she saw it had great potential and a lot of existing character. She purchased the home after it was passed in at auction.
It turns out that the house was sitting on top of a water tank, however it had been partially re-stumped and recently fitted with a brand new roof.
Undeniably, the task at hand was huge, but with Fiona’s experience renovating five previous homes, she saw it had great potential and a lot of existing character. She purchased the home after it was passed in at auction.
Fiona had just sold her previous property in the nearby town of Canungra when she bought and moved into the cottage. The two lived in the cottage throughout the entire renovation. Alexis was just four years old when they moved in and Fiona recalls that it was very difficult living conditions as construction was constantly taking place.
Because the house literally balanced on top of a water tank, the kitchen sloped down the hill and, as a result, the home wasn’t level.
“The windows wouldn’t open or close. The first thing I had to do was find a good chippie,” says Fiona. So she hired Tony Malivanek, who was the brother of an old friend.
“Without him I would’ve gone mad, and I would’ve spent thousands more than I needed to. He was my saving grace. We got along like a house on fire and nothing was too hard for him. He could and would do anything I asked and always within budget,” she says.
They began the renovation by lifting the house off the water tank using steel supports. Then they levelled out all of the windows and doors to make them functional again.
Because the house literally balanced on top of a water tank, the kitchen sloped down the hill and, as a result, the home wasn’t level.
“The windows wouldn’t open or close. The first thing I had to do was find a good chippie,” says Fiona. So she hired Tony Malivanek, who was the brother of an old friend.
“Without him I would’ve gone mad, and I would’ve spent thousands more than I needed to. He was my saving grace. We got along like a house on fire and nothing was too hard for him. He could and would do anything I asked and always within budget,” she says.
They began the renovation by lifting the house off the water tank using steel supports. Then they levelled out all of the windows and doors to make them functional again.
“I fell so in love with it after I finished renovating, I decided to stay. My daughter had just started school and it’s close to local shops and right beside beautiful Palm Grove National Park – literally just outside our door,” says Fiona.
She decided to keep the original colour of the house, but knew that it needed a fresh layer of paint. “I took the original colour to Dulux and had it re-matched so I could just give the house a once-over,” she explains.
She decided to keep the original colour of the house, but knew that it needed a fresh layer of paint. “I took the original colour to Dulux and had it re-matched so I could just give the house a once-over,” she explains.
The Blacksmith’s Cottage on Tamborine Mountain is known to many of the locals in the Olde Eagle Heights area as it has been part of the community since 1888.
“I have actually had people pull up while I’m mowing the lawn to tell me stories of their ancestors who once resided here. So many people have passed through this humble home and the stories people have relayed to me are just incredible. It is a very special place,” Fiona says.
From these stories, Fiona has learnt that the home was originally a one bedroom worker’s cottage and that the surrounding land was used for growing avocados.
“I have actually had people pull up while I’m mowing the lawn to tell me stories of their ancestors who once resided here. So many people have passed through this humble home and the stories people have relayed to me are just incredible. It is a very special place,” Fiona says.
From these stories, Fiona has learnt that the home was originally a one bedroom worker’s cottage and that the surrounding land was used for growing avocados.
Fiona describes herself as a minimalist at heart, but notes that the style of this home is ‘country cottage chic’.
This main living area is the first room to greet guests as they enter. Fiona wanted to enhance the existing character of the home while also introducing modern comforts on a tight budget.
Fiona strongly believes that if you’re renovating an old cottage, you should try to keep as much of the original windows, doors and floorboards as possible – anything that truly conveys the original character of the home.
“I contemplated getting rid of the bay window seat and I’m so glad I didn’t. I just found some really cheap fabric from Spotlight and had some sconces made to measure for approximately $200. The fabric I got for $5 per metre. It was a really cheap way to turn an old bay window seat into a feature,” she explains.
Cane chairs: Far Pavilions
“I contemplated getting rid of the bay window seat and I’m so glad I didn’t. I just found some really cheap fabric from Spotlight and had some sconces made to measure for approximately $200. The fabric I got for $5 per metre. It was a really cheap way to turn an old bay window seat into a feature,” she explains.
Cane chairs: Far Pavilions
The main living room is open with plenty of natural light flooding in. It leads to a third bedroom, which the family use as a media room.
Sofa: Ikea
Sofa: Ikea
Fiona was told by previous owners that this room, the second living area, was originally the main living area of the old worker’s cottage. There is a cupboard located behind the folding lounge that used to house the original cooker.
“This room didn’t have any timber floorboards, so I bought two sisal rugs and stuck them to the floor. It was much cheaper than buying sisal carpet,” she says.
“This room didn’t have any timber floorboards, so I bought two sisal rugs and stuck them to the floor. It was much cheaper than buying sisal carpet,” she says.
Fiona’s favourite feature in the house is the stone wall behind the fireplace. She bought the loose sandstone pieces from a bargain store for a grand total of $20. However, she soon realised the real cost was in the installation. It took 10 days to piece together the sandstone like a puzzle.
To the left of the fireplace is a doorway to Alexis’ bedroom and the very spacious kitchen.
“The kitchen was the biggest challenge and absorbed the largest chunk of my budget at $33,000. Included in that cost was the removal of a wall, which separated a badly configured bedroom from a dining space. Nothing could be done with this room when there were three doorways,” Fiona says.
The space now features a stylish built-in buffet and breakfast bar for kitchen dining.
Beyond the coloured glass panelled door is Alexis’ bedroom and ensuite.
The space now features a stylish built-in buffet and breakfast bar for kitchen dining.
Beyond the coloured glass panelled door is Alexis’ bedroom and ensuite.
Alexis’ bedroom was originally a sleep-out that led to the main bedroom at the front of the home.
Because this bedroom is compact in size, with no built-in wardrobes, Fiona carefully selected tall storage pieces. The vertical drawers and the glass panelled cabinet don’t impose on the available space.
Because this bedroom is compact in size, with no built-in wardrobes, Fiona carefully selected tall storage pieces. The vertical drawers and the glass panelled cabinet don’t impose on the available space.
The only design help Fiona had for the entire renovation was during the revamp of the dated kitchen (above).
She used Wholesale Kitchens for the kitchen renovation with 30 cabinets in total. “I had to budget wisely for the benchtops, so I happily chose a plain white laminate. They are clean, functional and easy care.”
She used Wholesale Kitchens for the kitchen renovation with 30 cabinets in total. “I had to budget wisely for the benchtops, so I happily chose a plain white laminate. They are clean, functional and easy care.”
The most striking feature of this modern country kitchen is the pressed tin splashback. Having previously used tin to decorate ceilings, Fiona knew that it was a cheap material to work with and added a beautiful unique touch. “I was originally going to paint the tin white but once installed I kept it silver. I think this was my biggest design hit,” she says.
The tin company was so impressed with Fiona’s use of their product that they featured it on their website.
“A few months later I saw that a couple who were contestants on The Block used it in their kitchen. Damn! They had stolen my idea,” she laughs.
The vintage canisters were purchased many years ago from Raffan Kelaher & Thomas Auction House in Sydney.
“A few months later I saw that a couple who were contestants on The Block used it in their kitchen. Damn! They had stolen my idea,” she laughs.
The vintage canisters were purchased many years ago from Raffan Kelaher & Thomas Auction House in Sydney.
“I am a complete foodie and I love to cook, so most of my time is spent in the kitchen. Adding the TV to this wall meant this area could be my main living space,” says Fiona.
The impressive transformation in style for this already spacious kitchen makes this space the heart of the home.
Arrangements of flowers from around the garden are placed in basic ceramic pitchers in various corners of the home – adding a touch of rustic country styling.
The eggs are courtesy of the neighbour’s chooks.
The eggs are courtesy of the neighbour’s chooks.
There is a back deck that runs the width of the home, which is accessible from the kitchen and the media room. It overlooks the lush rainforest of the Palm Grove National Park and is completely private.
Outdoor entertaining is a breeze with the close proximity to the kitchen.
Bench: Freedom
Outdoor entertaining is a breeze with the close proximity to the kitchen.
Bench: Freedom
The main bedroom is situated at the front of the house and cleverly mixes old and new.
The elaborate framed mirror was a gift from Fiona’s mum and the vintage trunk was found at an antique store in Sydney’s Newtown. The Country Road bedspread is 25 years old and still in great condition.
The elaborate framed mirror was a gift from Fiona’s mum and the vintage trunk was found at an antique store in Sydney’s Newtown. The Country Road bedspread is 25 years old and still in great condition.
The tall timber chest of drawers was another hand-me-down from her mum. “She also shares a passion for styling. As a child, she was always renovating something, so I guess it rubbed off on me.”
The ensuite is located to the left of the bedroom behind the original frosted glass panel doors.
The ensuite for the main bedroom is generous in size and the beautiful lead light windows are original features of the cottage.
Fiona maintains the beautiful gardens herself but says this was largely made possible due to the hard work of her late friend Dean Geyer.
“He was the most stylish man I ever knew. I wish he was here today to see this little cottage featured on Houzz. He’d be so proud. Dean worked like a trojan. I kept telling him to stop pulling out plants but today the garden has become an easy care space. Everything grows so quickly with this rich red soil,” says Fiona.
“He was the most stylish man I ever knew. I wish he was here today to see this little cottage featured on Houzz. He’d be so proud. Dean worked like a trojan. I kept telling him to stop pulling out plants but today the garden has become an easy care space. Everything grows so quickly with this rich red soil,” says Fiona.
Pictured is camera-shy Jessica coming out of the shed, which is located next to the small courtyard at the front of the property.
Since moving to the mountain community, Fiona has started making her own jams and chutneys to sell at a street stall at the front of the property, while also working three days a week at the local vodka distillery.
“Some of the ingredients are grown in our garden and the rest I source from local growers,” she explains.
Each jar is labelled and stamped lovingly with ‘The Old Blacksmith Cottage’ title.
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.
“Some of the ingredients are grown in our garden and the rest I source from local growers,” she explains.
Each jar is labelled and stamped lovingly with ‘The Old Blacksmith Cottage’ title.
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.
“I couldn’t see the cottage from the street as the rainforest was literally engulfing it. There was a ‘for sale’ sign out front and I could hear dogs barking in the yard. I absolutely loved the area, there are some beautiful houses on this street,” Fiona recalls.
Upon contacting the agent, she found out that the house was up for auction and a viewing was arranged.