Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Neighbors, a Love Story
Australian neighbors find each other a perfect match. Now the 1940s home they share is a family haven
Rob and Barb Orford share a love of objects with character and a story to tell — including their home, which played a crucial part in their meeting. Musician Rob purchased this house in 1992, and the following year Barb bought the house next door. One morning while spring cleaning, Barb was moving some plants around when neighborly Rob jumped over the fence to suggest that she move her indoor plants out of the sun. A friendship began, and then became something more.
BEFORE
AFTER: “The design was to be simple and Queensland-oriented, with no air conditioning and only high-positioned louvers on the external walls,” says Barb.
Russell worked with them to reconfigure the functions of nearly every room and to add a pool. With the help of structural engineering firm Westera Partners, she got the plans ready for approval. Construction took 10 months.
The house, built in 1940s, now has four bedrooms, a study and three bathrooms. “There’s plenty of space for us and the kids,” says Barb. “We call it The Resort, as we love the beach-house-like feel of the place.”
Russell worked with them to reconfigure the functions of nearly every room and to add a pool. With the help of structural engineering firm Westera Partners, she got the plans ready for approval. Construction took 10 months.
The house, built in 1940s, now has four bedrooms, a study and three bathrooms. “There’s plenty of space for us and the kids,” says Barb. “We call it The Resort, as we love the beach-house-like feel of the place.”
Rob’s former bachelor pad is now a family home. The main living and dining area extends seamlessly onto the rear-facing deck, borrowing the outdoor space to make the interior feel much larger.
Natural light flows in through the louvers and hallway skylights. Combined with the lime-washed timber floors, it makes the home feel bright and cool. “There is rarely a shortage of a nice breeze drifting through here,” says Rob.
Wall paint: Oolong, Dulux
Natural light flows in through the louvers and hallway skylights. Combined with the lime-washed timber floors, it makes the home feel bright and cool. “There is rarely a shortage of a nice breeze drifting through here,” says Rob.
Wall paint: Oolong, Dulux
The two main countertops that separate the kitchen from the deck double as breakfast bars when the bifold windows and retractable screens are open.
On any Sunday morning, kids Jack and Rosemary (seen here) can be found enjoying their breakfast while perched at The Cafe, as they refer to their outdoor dining counter.
Rob chose a gray Modwood decking to combat the harsh Queensland sun. “It was three years before I needed to give it a wash for the first time. Compared to timber decking, it has saved a lot of time, effort and money,” he says.
On any Sunday morning, kids Jack and Rosemary (seen here) can be found enjoying their breakfast while perched at The Cafe, as they refer to their outdoor dining counter.
Rob chose a gray Modwood decking to combat the harsh Queensland sun. “It was three years before I needed to give it a wash for the first time. Compared to timber decking, it has saved a lot of time, effort and money,” he says.
The open-plan kitchen design suits the family members, who love to cook and enjoy good food. A Velux skylight opens up to let hot air out and automatically closes if it rains.
The base of this island is 95-year-old kauri pine salvaged from the old David Jones store on Pitt Street Mall in Sydney. The top is salvaged ironbark from Brett’s Wharf in Brisbane.
The base of this island is 95-year-old kauri pine salvaged from the old David Jones store on Pitt Street Mall in Sydney. The top is salvaged ironbark from Brett’s Wharf in Brisbane.
The kitchen backsplash makes a bold statement in glossy red, and is complemented by 1960s kitchen canisters.
Handmade gifts, vintage furniture and art fill the home with history and conversation starters. This decoupaged suitcase in the entry was a gift to Barb from Rob’s mother.
“We both love visiting Woolloongabba Antique Centre and have purchased many items of furniture, collectibles and decor from there,” Barb says.
Rob’s retro music memorabilia and Porsche merchandise merge effortlessly with Barb’s art deco and coastal-inspired decor. New and old treasures sit side by side on the 1970s glass-topped coffee table handed down from Barb’s parents (seen above).
The 100-year-old Freezarda ice chest seen here belonged to Rob’s parents. It was made by and purchased from J. Rowe & Son in Toowoomba, a company still in operation today.
Lamp: Woolloongabba Antique Centre
The 100-year-old Freezarda ice chest seen here belonged to Rob’s parents. It was made by and purchased from J. Rowe & Son in Toowoomba, a company still in operation today.
Lamp: Woolloongabba Antique Centre
These Russian artworks were given to the family by Rob’s sister-in-law, who had inherited them from an aunt.
The main bedroom features some iconic Aussie references. A framed print of Charles Meere’s “Australian Beach Pattern” of 1940 hangs above an original Chesty Bond mannequin found in Toowoomba.
Bedding: Florence Broadhurst; bedside lamp: Gallery B
Bedding: Florence Broadhurst; bedside lamp: Gallery B
Polished plywood was installed on the ceilings of the deck, kitchen and living areas, with black painted joints and stainless steel button-head screws. “This was a very labor-intensive process but has come up really well,” Rob says.
The framed photographs were taken by Rob’s brother Stuart, a keen travel photographer.
The framed photographs were taken by Rob’s brother Stuart, a keen travel photographer.
The staircase leads to a second living area with two bedrooms, a laundry area and a bathroom along the hallway. This level is known to the family as Kids Central.
Natural light streams in through the windows, which are positioned high along the west-facing wall closest to the staircase.
Natural light streams in through the windows, which are positioned high along the west-facing wall closest to the staircase.
The pieces in this corner come together in unison with a combination of warm colors, despite the different themes at play.
Artwork: 1960s Walter Lambert print
Artwork: 1960s Walter Lambert print
A balustrade designed by Grant Buglar, an architect school friend of Barb’s, echoes the vertical slats on the decks. “We absolutely love it and have named it Buggie’s Balustrade,” Barb says.
She picked up the 1960s Walter Lambert print (left) for $10 at a thrift shop many years ago. The Lambert print on the right was a birthday gift.
She picked up the 1960s Walter Lambert print (left) for $10 at a thrift shop many years ago. The Lambert print on the right was a birthday gift.
Jack’s bedroom showcases some of his prized possessions, artworks and a rather impressive collection of Lego.
Jack’s desk folds down from the built-in closet’s door. When not in use, the desk folds out of sight.
Rosemary’s light-filled bedroom reflects her expressive nature with a combination of colorful artworks, soft furnishings and handicrafts.
Barb bought the painting above the bed at an auction at the children’s school. It was painted by students in Jack’s second-grade class; Jack painted the blue sections.
Barb bought the painting above the bed at an auction at the children’s school. It was painted by students in Jack’s second-grade class; Jack painted the blue sections.
BEFORE: To make the most of their sunny backyard, the couple planned to add a deck and a pool to enjoy with their family and friends.
AFTER: Now sliding doors and screens run the majority of the way across the lower level of the house, leading onto the deck. The swimming pool is joined to the deck via a short boardwalk.
“We have spent many an afternoon and night eating, drinking and laughing with our friends while all of the kids play happily in their own space,” says Barb.
“We have spent many an afternoon and night eating, drinking and laughing with our friends while all of the kids play happily in their own space,” says Barb.
The remaining backyard, where a fire pit is situated for entertaining and cooking, is also accessible from the covered deck.
“While it is a small block, we’re lucky because it’s surrounded by lovely trees in the neighbors’ yards; our architect called it borrowed landscape,” says Barb.
“While it is a small block, we’re lucky because it’s surrounded by lovely trees in the neighbors’ yards; our architect called it borrowed landscape,” says Barb.
A jacaranda tree next door now shades the family’s front yard. “I planted it there 20 years ago,” Barb says, “and we’re now enjoying the shade and flowers in our house together.”
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Who lives here: Former neighbors Rob and Barb Orford, and their children, Jack and Rosemary
Where: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Size: 279 square meters (3,000 square feet); 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
After dating for two years, Rob and Barb (seen here) moved into Barb’s house. A year later, lured by job offers, they rented out their side-by-side homes and moved to Sydney, where they married. By 2007 they had become a family with two children and were drawn back to the heartland where sparks first flew.
By that point they had sold Barb’s house, so they moved into Rob’s old place, pictured here, and began to create their dream family home. They spent about two years working on their ideas for the renovation before employing architect Virginia Russell to create the plans.