Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Old-World Meets Eclecticism in a Classic Queenslander
Thanks to the vision and style of its current occupants, this spacious house in Kingscliff has become the perfect family home
Built in 1949, this beautiful Queenslander became home to artist cum art consultant Jo Kaiser when she rented the home for her family in 2013. The family was inspired by a mixture of the home’s charming old-world details, such as the original timber floors and cornices, along with a good measure of Kaiser’s own eclectic taste, when they began to decorate the house and studio space, eventually turning the whole property into their ideal home.
Before the house put down roots in its current location in northern NSW, it was – as the name of the building style suggests – in Queensland. However, the house’s owners (who were the previous tenants) relocated the whole house after falling in love with its character.
Although an interstate move may seem damaging for a house, the building was left mostly intact. Original cornices, the kitchen cabinetry and a wide window seat in the main living room are charming features that were retained in the move, and are part of the reason why Kaiser fell in love with the house.
“The wooden floors are always a plus, too,” she says. “I even liked the fact that [the owners] kept the original front doorbell, despite it no longer working. It suited my style and had the feel that I wanted in a home.”
Although an interstate move may seem damaging for a house, the building was left mostly intact. Original cornices, the kitchen cabinetry and a wide window seat in the main living room are charming features that were retained in the move, and are part of the reason why Kaiser fell in love with the house.
“The wooden floors are always a plus, too,” she says. “I even liked the fact that [the owners] kept the original front doorbell, despite it no longer working. It suited my style and had the feel that I wanted in a home.”
The Kingscliff area was perfect for Kaiser, as it’s close to the kids’ schools, close to the centre of town and also within reasonable distance to the hub of Byron Bay. The house had a traditional grassy backyard, complete with corrugated iron water tank, and it reminded Kaiser of her childhood home – another old Queenslander on a large block.
Having worked as an art consultant for a number of years, while also pursuing her own artistic practice (on top of raising her three children), Kaiser has a pretty good idea about what artwork she likes when she sees it. The portrait pictured here was painted by local artist Alison Burke. In it, a lady is depicted washing ducks in a kitchen sink while wearing an evening dress. When Kaiser saw it she felt like it was a portrait of herself: “I thought, yep that’s me totally multi-tasking!”
Adding some DIY into the mix has also helped Kaiser achieve her unique style. This dining table’s top was actually a worn old farm door that she found at a local furniture recycler. When she bought it, he asked her if she wanted the door knob, hinges and lock taken off. She was certain they had to stay, as they were unique features. “However, my son sits in this spot, he has claimed it – so he does have to manoeuvre around the handle to eat dinner. Quite a funny sight for our guests, but Bowie wouldn’t have it any other way!” laughs Kaiser.
Adding some DIY into the mix has also helped Kaiser achieve her unique style. This dining table’s top was actually a worn old farm door that she found at a local furniture recycler. When she bought it, he asked her if she wanted the door knob, hinges and lock taken off. She was certain they had to stay, as they were unique features. “However, my son sits in this spot, he has claimed it – so he does have to manoeuvre around the handle to eat dinner. Quite a funny sight for our guests, but Bowie wouldn’t have it any other way!” laughs Kaiser.
Some of the oldest pieces in the home are from Kaiser’s late brother. “Apart from meaning a lot to me personally, some of my treasures are incredibly old and some might consider them trash,” she says. The old meat keeper in the corner of the dining room is one of these pieces. Despite its flaky paint, a distorted door and missing back, it holds its special place here in the dining area.
A landscape painting resting on top of the meat keeper is called ‘Tweed Oyster Farm’ and is an original artwork by Elizabeth Tanke, a personal mentor of Kaiser’s. Next to that is another original work called ‘Spirit of Water’, which was painted by indigenous artist Mudjai.
A landscape painting resting on top of the meat keeper is called ‘Tweed Oyster Farm’ and is an original artwork by Elizabeth Tanke, a personal mentor of Kaiser’s. Next to that is another original work called ‘Spirit of Water’, which was painted by indigenous artist Mudjai.
Next to the dining area is the living room. It features an original window seat, which was recently given a new lick of paint. The striped recycled timber coffee table seen here was a Gumtree find.
There is a lot of light in the home, and a feeling of openness. A rainy day at home is welcomed by this family, as the living area makes for a pretty cosy setting. “We can all snuggle in together, put a movie on and watch the rain fall,” says Kaiser.
Framed ‘Rabbit Sketch’: Seabastion Toast
There is a lot of light in the home, and a feeling of openness. A rainy day at home is welcomed by this family, as the living area makes for a pretty cosy setting. “We can all snuggle in together, put a movie on and watch the rain fall,” says Kaiser.
Framed ‘Rabbit Sketch’: Seabastion Toast
The family are very busy throughout the week, so weekends are valuable time for them to be together. “Family time is regarded as priceless for us,” explains Kaiser. “Trav and I love that the kids enjoy hanging out with us, so we couldn’t imagine having separate lounge areas for adults and kids.” They also have a ‘no phone’ rule at the table and during family dinner time.
Off to the right of the front entrance, next to the living area, is a small office. This is another space that has been artfully decorated by Kaiser, with some of her own work as well.
Off to the right of the front entrance, next to the living area, is a small office. This is another space that has been artfully decorated by Kaiser, with some of her own work as well.
Of all the spaces in the home, it’s the kitchen that Kaiser says is her favourite room. It has original splashback tiles, and one section of the benchtop, the corner shelving and the display cabinetry are also all original. She painted it in her favourite colour – green – after getting the nod from the home’s owners.
This vintage print was found at an op-shop and also commands attention. Kaiser says she does have a thing for darker art work. “Which may be considered odd, but to me these works open my mind and I like the idea that an artist has thought of a subject that may not be considered beautiful or cliche. Art is emotion to me,” she says.
This vintage print was found at an op-shop and also commands attention. Kaiser says she does have a thing for darker art work. “Which may be considered odd, but to me these works open my mind and I like the idea that an artist has thought of a subject that may not be considered beautiful or cliche. Art is emotion to me,” she says.
The artist also likes to have groups of knick-knacks on a bench or shelf that could be considered art in its own right.
Alongside the artworks and house plants stands a collection of treasured old glass bottles. These were found by Kaiser’s late brother, and not only add another texture to the space, but also continue the sentimental vibe in the home.
As a lover of vintage, Kaiser is always sure to stick her head in any op-shop she passes in case she spots an odd glass bottle or teapot. “My little red metal teapot is used as a sugar pot and is one of those finds,” she says. It sits perfectly next to a set of retro pastel canisters.
As a lover of vintage, Kaiser is always sure to stick her head in any op-shop she passes in case she spots an odd glass bottle or teapot. “My little red metal teapot is used as a sugar pot and is one of those finds,” she says. It sits perfectly next to a set of retro pastel canisters.
Despite favouring op-shops and finding great pieces during hard-rubbish collection, Kaiser says she doesn’t limit herself to these sources. “My pieces come from op-shops, local designers and well-known retail stores. I’m not strict about that – but I always buy original art over prints if I’m able to.”
When displaying her items on the white walls, Kaiser also finds that working with odd numbers and using different levels is just as effective as when she groups pieces on a shelf or cabinet.
Crow portrait: Seabastion Toast
When displaying her items on the white walls, Kaiser also finds that working with odd numbers and using different levels is just as effective as when she groups pieces on a shelf or cabinet.
Crow portrait: Seabastion Toast
Kaiser’s eldest daughter Drew shares with her mother a passion for the modern-vintage style and has decorated her bedroom accordingly. Vintage and secondhand finds reside in the corners of the bedroom, bringing a few more textures into the mix.
This shelf along the window faces out towards the backyard and takes in a lot of natural light in the mornings. Drew keeps her record collection here, alongside a few treasures and collected artworks. The stool is a secondhand find and the leather chair belonged to her dad.
Framed print: Celeste Twikler
Framed print: Celeste Twikler
Many of the secondhand pieces that Kaiser and her children have found have been somewhat in need of some TLC. This bookshelf in Drew’s bedroom, for example, is a re-purposed ladder, and her bed was a hard-rubbish find that has been white-washed and the legs cut off.
Molly’s bedroom is next to Drew’s at the back of the home, and also takes in the streaming morning light. Another framed print by Celeste Twikler is hanging here above Molly’s desk.
Bowie has the smallest bedroom. When he’s not outside playing in the backyard, he sketches at his desk, reads or looks through his favourite collectibles.
Canvas print on wall: Andy Baker
Canvas print on wall: Andy Baker
Kaiser and Richards’ room is located down this hallway on the eastern side of the home. When the home was relocated, the owners built in this side extension to add another space to be used as either a bedroom or office. Kaiser and Richards say they love having this space as their bedroom, as it is not directly connected to the kids’ bedrooms, but still close enough to say goodnight.
“We have the back stairs right outside our door, to use the downstairs bathroom and outdoor area if we want. We value this and make sure we spend time together when we can,” Kaiser says. “Even if it’s half an hour after the kids have gone to bed. It’s our time to catch up!”
“We have the back stairs right outside our door, to use the downstairs bathroom and outdoor area if we want. We value this and make sure we spend time together when we can,” Kaiser says. “Even if it’s half an hour after the kids have gone to bed. It’s our time to catch up!”
The interior fixtures in the master bedroom are much more modern in style, but it is essentially separate to the rest of the home, with its own entrance.
Their bed was made by Richards, who happens to be a a very clever cabinet maker. It’s made from another old farm door along with recycled pallets. In winter, the couple prefer not to have any window coverings on the north-easterly window, but curtains do go up in the summer months when the sun rises a fair bit earlier.
Their bed was made by Richards, who happens to be a a very clever cabinet maker. It’s made from another old farm door along with recycled pallets. In winter, the couple prefer not to have any window coverings on the north-easterly window, but curtains do go up in the summer months when the sun rises a fair bit earlier.
These worn shelves were bought from the same Kingscliff furniture recycler that Kaiser got her dining table door from. It houses some more mementoes and treasures, such as her collection of vintage purses, a lithograph by Lyn Andrews and a framed card from Dublin, Ireland.
Downstairs, the bathroom and laundry are quite modern, having only been added when the home was relocated.
As seen here, the private backyard is favoured by the whole family due to its size and space. “We can play a game of cricket, set up the slip ’n’ slide and there’s still enough room for our big trampoline, the rabbits’ hutch and for Bowie to run around,” says Kaiser.
Further back, in this makeshift palette garden – also made by Richards – the family grow their own herbs. It’s a great use of space for this partly-shaded area under the home and behind the water tank.
There is also a spacious rumpus room downstairs that Kaiser uses as her art studio and work space. It’s located behind the garage, and has big glass windows to look out to the backyard. All of the work pictured here is Kaiser’s.
The kids also enjoy getting creative in the studio with various art materials to experiment with, as well as a sewing machine for Molly to work at.
TELL US
How do you like this artfully decorated home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US
How do you like this artfully decorated home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Jo Kaiser and her fiance Travis Richards, as well as her daughters Drew, 17, and Molly, 15, son Bowie, 10, and their pets Mr Zip Smith the dog, Choo Choo Anabelle the cat, and rabbits Luna Miffy and Daisy May
Location: Kingscliff, NSW
Size: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a downstairs studio
When Kaiser first saw her future home, she fell in love with the original features. “It has a rawness and yet there are many layers of paint on these walls,” she says. The open and generously-sized living and dining area located to the left of the upper level of the home is where the family spend a lot of time together.
Following trends has never been an option for the artist, who describes her decorating style as modern vintage. She carefully balances her love of vintage finds and artwork with a selection of modern pieces. “My family has influenced my style,” she says. “I am definitely a sentimental person when it comes to pieces in my home.”