If we had to pick a favourite word in design land, bespoke would be it – and with it, everything that word conjures up. Dreaming of Dior, one might say; either way, it’s a perfect world many would be thrilled to dwell in. The same goes for the owners of this Hamptons-inspired home – for Keith and Sarah, bespoke living with an Australian twist was a must after purchasing a 405 sqm block just outside Brisbane city.
“We didn’t want any ordinary design,” Sarah explains. “We found most of the standard plans didn’t suit our style or flow properly. So, we decided to design our home the way we would like it.”
With two daughters in the mix, the home had to feel elegant enough for the stylish parents, with plenty of personality for seven-year-old Zara and six-year-old Chanel. The much-desired flow was crucial, too. An open plan, Queenslander-style rated high on the couple’s wish list, and they settled on a four-storey layout that would allow for a distinction between parents and children, public and private spaces. “It makes the overall living zones feel much bigger,” says Sarah, “so we were able to have a unique look and feel in each area of the house.”
Each level offers its own escape: on the ground floor, an open plan hub is a comfortable space for the family and guests, leading to the outdoors through French doors. Upstairs, the media and playroom take the family into more private moments together; climb more stairs and you’re in the girls’ quarters, where pink and taupe are playmates among soft and cosy furnishings. And, finally, a must-have for the busy parents – a private retreat all their own, complete with a stylishly fitted out en suite. “This is my secret haven away from the girls,” Sarah laughs.
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The couple worked with Amanda Harris from Brisbane-based interior design practice, Oliveaux Interiors, and Claudine Sheppard of Hydrangea House to source pieces to finish their home, a process Sarah loved. “Our best find was an antique light from Paddington Antique Centre,” Sarah says. “I love it over our dining table.”
The pieces are an ode to classic-meets-quirky design with Amanda and Claudine’s respective styles stamped on the space. Small, ornate details live beautifully alongside more high-street style. It’s a juxtaposition which breathes a bit of laid-back Australian love into the oft-tried Hamptons theme.
The house cuts an impressive figure on the street; the simple grey and white palette allows the home’s architecture to shine. A high-pitched roof, teamed with an exquisite balcony, lends a storybook-esque vibe to the home, emphasised by sweet windows and detailing. But, alongside the white fence reminiscent of 50s-era pickets and perfectly manicured lawns, there’s a flush of modern sleekness. “Every time I drive up to the house I honestly never get sick of seeing it.”
Words: Natasha Pavez | Photography: Elouise Van Riet-Gray | Styling: Lana Caves
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