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Queensland Houzz: A Cosy, 90-Year-Old Coastal Cottage Is Reborn
Rich, earth-drawn tones, recycled bricks and soft textures bring warmth and charm to this 1930s cottage renovation
Interior designer Sarah Davey and her husband, builder Jared Davey, spent 10 years living in this 1930s worker’s cottage, last reworked in the ’80s, with their three young sons while they dreamed of renovating. When the boys hit their late primary-school years (twins Kade and Harry are 10 years old and Beau is eight), the couple decided the time was right to put their long-held plans into action. Here, Davey shares the journey she and her husband took with this whole-home renovation.
The new kitchen.
Living here for a decade gave the couple a deep insight into what worked and what didn’t. “We were able to really explore the space and get to know things like how the light hit the house at different times of day,” she says.
“We were also able to get a good feel for the things we loved and needed, and the facets that needed improving.”
Thinking about extending or renovating? Find local building designers on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Living here for a decade gave the couple a deep insight into what worked and what didn’t. “We were able to really explore the space and get to know things like how the light hit the house at different times of day,” she says.
“We were also able to get a good feel for the things we loved and needed, and the facets that needed improving.”
Thinking about extending or renovating? Find local building designers on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
So which parts of the house did not pass muster? “The lack of space and storage was an issue for our growing family. We also wanted the house to have an open-plan layout,” she says.
It was also low on natural light. “While the original home was quite beautiful, the rich timber used throughout and the lack of skylights and windows made it very dark,” says Davey.
“We wanted to add character, warmth, storage, functionality, a connection to the outdoors, and a sense of calm and cohesion throughout.”
It was also low on natural light. “While the original home was quite beautiful, the rich timber used throughout and the lack of skylights and windows made it very dark,” says Davey.
“We wanted to add character, warmth, storage, functionality, a connection to the outdoors, and a sense of calm and cohesion throughout.”
The new laundry.
“We renovated the entire home, leaving most of the structural walls and key features of the worker’s cottage intact,” says Davey.
“The wall on the left of the house remained, while the right exterior wall was removed to make way for the new extension.
“We moved the kitchen into the rear of the new section of the home, which then made our living area open-plan. The original kitchen was converted into our youngest son Beau’s bedroom.
“There were four small rooms at the front of the house, which we redesigned to create one long sunroom/playroom with French casement windows. We then turned the rest of the space into two larger bedrooms with built-in cabinetry,” says Davey.
“We renovated the entire home, leaving most of the structural walls and key features of the worker’s cottage intact,” says Davey.
“The wall on the left of the house remained, while the right exterior wall was removed to make way for the new extension.
“We moved the kitchen into the rear of the new section of the home, which then made our living area open-plan. The original kitchen was converted into our youngest son Beau’s bedroom.
“There were four small rooms at the front of the house, which we redesigned to create one long sunroom/playroom with French casement windows. We then turned the rest of the space into two larger bedrooms with built-in cabinetry,” says Davey.
The proposed floor plan.
In keeping with the home’s location, the couple chose classic coastal materials and fixtures such as weatherboard cladding, bunker lights, brass fixtures, timber flooring, organic bluestone steppers and coastal natives for the landscaping.
In keeping with the home’s location, the couple chose classic coastal materials and fixtures such as weatherboard cladding, bunker lights, brass fixtures, timber flooring, organic bluestone steppers and coastal natives for the landscaping.
Polished concrete: Conseal Decorative Concrete Solutions.
“We knew we wanted to maintain the character and original footprint of the home. Working with our talented colleague, building designer Stuart Osman, we were able to reach a solution for how to integrate the old with the new, again ensuring that the ‘coastal cottage’ aesthetic was maintained,” says Davey.
“An example of this is the step-down into the new extension of the home, where the floor changes from natural oak to a more modern, polished-concrete finish.”
“The brick fireplace and archway in the living room were two of our favourite features in the house, and ones that we knew we wanted to keep and showcase in the new design,” she says.
“We knew we wanted to maintain the character and original footprint of the home. Working with our talented colleague, building designer Stuart Osman, we were able to reach a solution for how to integrate the old with the new, again ensuring that the ‘coastal cottage’ aesthetic was maintained,” says Davey.
“An example of this is the step-down into the new extension of the home, where the floor changes from natural oak to a more modern, polished-concrete finish.”
“The brick fireplace and archway in the living room were two of our favourite features in the house, and ones that we knew we wanted to keep and showcase in the new design,” she says.
Aluminium windows and doors: Bradnam’s Windows & Doors; timber windows and doors: Finlayson.
“To reflect the design of the brick arch and fireplace in our alfresco area, we designed a wood-fired pizza oven in a similarly curved shape using second-hand bricks in a similar tone,” says Davey.
“To reflect the design of the brick arch and fireplace in our alfresco area, we designed a wood-fired pizza oven in a similarly curved shape using second-hand bricks in a similar tone,” says Davey.
Rear of the house before works.
Other key changes the couple made to the house include the following:
Other key changes the couple made to the house include the following:
- Moving the original entry to where the original wrap-around front verandah was.
- Adding a carport and what Davey describes as a “man cave”.
- Updating all appliances and adding ducted air-conditioning.
- Installing multiple skylights to boost natural light.
- New cabinetry and interior specifications.
- Establishing two distinct sections in the home – old and new.
- The old part included traditional features, such as timber flooring, V-groove panelling, timber window frames, and the home’s original ceiling fan lights and stained-glass windows.
- The new section steps down from the original part of the home and features more contemporary finishes, such as polished concrete flooring, plasterboard walls, and white aluminium windows and doors.
- Adding a new entertaining deck with custom cabinetry and a wood-fired pizza oven.
- New landscaping with coastal natives, including palms and grasses.
Living room before works.
The main elements of the new colour palette include:
The main elements of the new colour palette include:
- Resene Double Foundry on cabinetry.
- Natural finishes, such as timber, concrete, terrazzo and stone.
- Touches of brushed brass to add luxury.
- Linen and other soft textures for a lived-in feel.
- Weatherboard panelling.
Kitchen paint colours: Dulux Vivid White and Resene Double Foundry; Quantum Quartz Oyster White benchtops: Platinum Stone; Spanish White matt tiles: Three Balls Red; polished concrete flooring; Franke Impact granite sink; Sussex Taps Scala kitchen mixer in brushed gold: Reece; brushed brass door hardware: ABI Interiors; kitchen appliances: Fisher & Paykel.
Browse more images of stunning Australian kitchens with touches of charcoal
Browse more images of stunning Australian kitchens with touches of charcoal
Living room before works.
White is used throughout the home to create a bright, uplifting and spacious feel. It also contrasts beautifully with the charcoal (Resene Double Foundry) used on the main kitchen cabinetry, outdoor kitchen cabinetry and the exterior.
White is used throughout the home to create a bright, uplifting and spacious feel. It also contrasts beautifully with the charcoal (Resene Double Foundry) used on the main kitchen cabinetry, outdoor kitchen cabinetry and the exterior.
Wall paint: Resene Wan White; furnishings: Kira and Kira.
“The living room is in the same position as it originally was and, like the kitchen, was mainly in timber. The archway was originally the walkway into the kitchen and the rest of the home,” says Davey.
“We knocked down the back wall to create a new extension to house a kitchen, alfresco and dining area. We replaced the original timber of the living room with polished concrete, painted and re-sheeted the walls and ceiling, and added a large skylight. We gave the fireplace and archway a facelift with fresh grout and added a wall behind the archway to create shelving and to separate the sleeping quarters,” she says.
“The living room is in the same position as it originally was and, like the kitchen, was mainly in timber. The archway was originally the walkway into the kitchen and the rest of the home,” says Davey.
“We knocked down the back wall to create a new extension to house a kitchen, alfresco and dining area. We replaced the original timber of the living room with polished concrete, painted and re-sheeted the walls and ceiling, and added a large skylight. We gave the fireplace and archway a facelift with fresh grout and added a wall behind the archway to create shelving and to separate the sleeping quarters,” she says.
Wall-panelling paint: Resene Peace; Sussex Taps brass tapware: Reece; wall light: Soktas; mirror: Kira and Kira.
“We wanted a space that was warm and inviting and, as much as we love a white home, we knew we wanted our worker’s cottage to be vibrant, uber-relaxing and full character, which meant bringing in touches of colour,” says Davey.
“We wanted a space that was warm and inviting and, as much as we love a white home, we knew we wanted our worker’s cottage to be vibrant, uber-relaxing and full character, which meant bringing in touches of colour,” says Davey.
The mudroom. Oak flooring: Andersens; paint on walls and panelling: Resene Wan White.
“We had been hearing about mudrooms for a while and, with three growing boys, we knew it would be the perfect addition to our home.
“When they come home, the kids can drop their bags, sports gear and worries there before settling in to relax at home. Having this space also helps reduce the clutter spread throughout the home,” says Davey.
“We had been hearing about mudrooms for a while and, with three growing boys, we knew it would be the perfect addition to our home.
“When they come home, the kids can drop their bags, sports gear and worries there before settling in to relax at home. Having this space also helps reduce the clutter spread throughout the home,” says Davey.
Main bedroom. Linen: Kira and Kira.
The Daveys looked to set a calm and tranquil note in their main bedroom. They extended the room and sunk it down to be on the same level as the new extension. A new ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and carpet completed the redesign.
The Daveys looked to set a calm and tranquil note in their main bedroom. They extended the room and sunk it down to be on the same level as the new extension. A new ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and carpet completed the redesign.
“Sustainability also very important to us with this renovation” says Davey. “We reused many of the original materials in the redesign, including the original VJ panelling, windows, framing timber, stained-glass windows and bricks.
“Everything that we salvaged and didn’t end up using was put on a local marketplace online for free, so hopefully little bits of our home have been used in other people’s homes and renos,” she says.
“Everything that we salvaged and didn’t end up using was put on a local marketplace online for free, so hopefully little bits of our home have been used in other people’s homes and renos,” she says.
“We also used sustainable contemporary features, such as motorised and fixed skylights, louvres, solar panels, rainwater tanks, eco-friendly appliances and carbon-neutral tapware,” she says.
The main ensuite. Terrazzo tiles and kit kat tiles: Forge HQ; vanity top: Quantum Quartz Alpine White at Platinum Stone; custom vanity designed by Border Joinery; mirror: Kira and Kira; tapware and basins: Reece.
The original ’80s ensuite, which featured decorative tiles, was replaced with a simple, contemporary scheme in terrazzo, timber, stone and brass. “It’s an opulent yet laid-back coastal look,” says Davey.
The original ’80s ensuite, which featured decorative tiles, was replaced with a simple, contemporary scheme in terrazzo, timber, stone and brass. “It’s an opulent yet laid-back coastal look,” says Davey.
Beau’s bedroom. Hinchinbrook Homespun carpet: Andersens.
“Our youngest son Beau’s bedroom was originally the kitchen,” says Davey. “We used recycled V-groove panelling to line the walls in all the boys’ rooms and let them decide on the paint colour – Beau liked the green.
“We laid new carpet in all the bedrooms and added built-in cabinetry.”
“Our youngest son Beau’s bedroom was originally the kitchen,” says Davey. “We used recycled V-groove panelling to line the walls in all the boys’ rooms and let them decide on the paint colour – Beau liked the green.
“We laid new carpet in all the bedrooms and added built-in cabinetry.”
Deck: Spotted gum. Scyon Linear weatherboards: James Hardie. Stone: Eco Outdoor.
An expansive new L-shaped deck, complete with an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven, provides the perfect space to relax with friends and family. “We combined both of our loves here – entertaining and being outside.
“Our boys are always swimming and playing in the garden so it was important that we could always see them from inside the home and also have a nice place to hang out while they swim.
“This is the most-used area in our house, especially when the bi-folds are open to create one giant living space,” says Davey.
An expansive new L-shaped deck, complete with an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven, provides the perfect space to relax with friends and family. “We combined both of our loves here – entertaining and being outside.
“Our boys are always swimming and playing in the garden so it was important that we could always see them from inside the home and also have a nice place to hang out while they swim.
“This is the most-used area in our house, especially when the bi-folds are open to create one giant living space,” says Davey.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Interested in seeing another renovation of a heritage home? Don’t miss this Melbourne Houzz: An Architect’s Post-Pandemic Family Home
What’s your favourite feature here? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Interested in seeing another renovation of a heritage home? Don’t miss this Melbourne Houzz: An Architect’s Post-Pandemic Family Home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Sarah Davey, an interior designer; Jared Davey, a builder; and their three young sons
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room
Building designer: Stuart Osman
Interior designer: Sarah Davey, interior designer at Davey Constructions
Builder: Jared Davey, builder and founder of Davey Constructions
Landscaping: JSW Landscapes
Stonemason: Stone Nation
“The home was small and in need of love and care, and we decided to take on the incredible challenge of redesigning and extending it. Our vision was to renovate the home to suit the needs of our growing family, while remaining true to its almost 100-year-old heritage,” says Davey. “As a builder and interior designer duo, we knew we could create something truly special that captures the essence of coastal living while paying homage to the beautiful Burleigh area.
“Our coastal cottage is a unique build with a rich history and character. It has a laid-back yet luxurious feel – many of our friends and family have described walking inside it as like receiving a big, warm hug. It’s our slice of paradise,” she says.