My Houzz: A Dream Home 25 Years in the Making
A couple who had partly renovated their old clapboard home finally complete it to suit their empty-nester lifestyle
Brisbane, Australia, couple Bernie and Louise Thatcher had developed a love-hate relationship with their unfinished family home. It started out as an ambitious owner-build project in the late 1980s, but when funds dried up, the home hadn’t quite made it to completion before the young couple had to move in with their then-2-year-old and 6-month-old sons.
By 1994 the family of four had grown to six, and the home gradually went from building-site status to child-friendly. But alas, though it always seemed that something else needed attention, the renovations were put on the back burner. It was only once the children became adults and flew the coop that the dream of finally finishing what they had started became a reality for the couple.
By 1994 the family of four had grown to six, and the home gradually went from building-site status to child-friendly. But alas, though it always seemed that something else needed attention, the renovations were put on the back burner. It was only once the children became adults and flew the coop that the dream of finally finishing what they had started became a reality for the couple.
AFTER: Changing the home’s exterior colors of dusty pink and pine green was a simple way to boost the curb appeal. A more contemporary look was achieved by painting the poles, roof, gutters and fascia in Windspray; the front of the carport in Raku; and the siding in White Duck (all by Dulux).
The carport area was closed in and is now the fourth bedroom, which has a private living area and bathroom. A double garage was also added to the side of the house.
The carport area was closed in and is now the fourth bedroom, which has a private living area and bathroom. A double garage was also added to the side of the house.
To further enhance the front of the house, a mini deck was added above the front door. “We wanted to make a statement of the entry, which previously was very rustic and not so welcoming,” Louise says.
The house was built 25 years ago, and it lacked storage and good flow, Louise says. The new and improved version now feels free and open.
To the right of the front entrance is a rumpus room, originally one of the kids’ rooms. It’s used mostly as a storage space and also showcases Bernie’s collection of model cars.
To the right of the front entrance is a rumpus room, originally one of the kids’ rooms. It’s used mostly as a storage space and also showcases Bernie’s collection of model cars.
The new fourth bedroom is also accessible from sliding glass doors at the front of the home, providing an alternative entrance and exit to the rest of the house. This area was one of the kids’ bedrooms as well, and Louise redesigned the space with Bernie’s late father in mind — they had hoped he could move in with them when he became unwell.
There’s also a closet area behind the blue half wall. The couple’s son Andrew stays here only occasionally, when he’s not traveling for business. Louise says this works out well, as they’ve become accustomed to the empty-nester lifestyle. “We do love having him here, but it’s nice to get the house back to ourselves when he leaves,” she says.
There’s also a closet area behind the blue half wall. The couple’s son Andrew stays here only occasionally, when he’s not traveling for business. Louise says this works out well, as they’ve become accustomed to the empty-nester lifestyle. “We do love having him here, but it’s nice to get the house back to ourselves when he leaves,” she says.
The second floor is the main living area of the house. The kitchen and dining areas sit off to the right of the stairs and the spacious family room is to the left.
The wood wall in the family room was pronounced by one architect as “dated,” which Louise says is true, “but we couldn’t bear to cover it up with plaster board considering Bernie’s dad and brothers helped to install it.”
The fireplace was a special purchase, and one the couple love. They spent many months researching and agonizing over where to place it.
Invicta Pharos fireplace: Gold Coast Fireplace & BBQ
The wood wall in the family room was pronounced by one architect as “dated,” which Louise says is true, “but we couldn’t bear to cover it up with plaster board considering Bernie’s dad and brothers helped to install it.”
The fireplace was a special purchase, and one the couple love. They spent many months researching and agonizing over where to place it.
Invicta Pharos fireplace: Gold Coast Fireplace & BBQ
This large living area was extended past the original back wall, which used to end where the white pole stands. The once-raw poles were painted in Antique White USA by Dulux, to blend in with the interior walls.
The kitchen remains in the same spot with much the same layout, but the cabinetry was freshened up, along with the color of the wall next to the stairs. Another notable update is the modern balustrade on the staircase.
The couple kept the lower cabinets, backsplash and appliances. The new cabinetry was done by their nephew Dan of Thatcher Interiors.
This clever use of space at the end of the kitchen counter provides a nice area to display special items. It’s flooded with light from the east-facing window.
The dining room is much more spacious than before and has been separated from the family room. It offers great views of the outdoor areas, creating a sense of indoor-outdoor living. “We were able to incorporate insulation where there was none and utilize cross-flow ventilation better,” Louise says.
The couple kept the original dining chairs and combined them with this Todd dining table from Freedom. The sideboard under the bifold window used to be their TV cabinet.
The couple kept the original dining chairs and combined them with this Todd dining table from Freedom. The sideboard under the bifold window used to be their TV cabinet.
BEFORE: In back, the house was opened up as well as extended, with the addition of a dining space, large deck and a spacious laundry room at the far end.
Louise says her style is mostly influenced by nature. Her love of open spaces and greenery played a role in the new open layout of this part of the home.
“Our house now enjoys modern conveniences, with clear connections of the indoor and outdoor spaces,” she says, “plus it has a unique one-off design that is full of character and comfort.”
“Our house now enjoys modern conveniences, with clear connections of the indoor and outdoor spaces,” she says, “plus it has a unique one-off design that is full of character and comfort.”
Several of the outdoor areas are primed for entertaining — well-shaded yet breezy and relaxed. The couple added the pool 12 years ago and have yet to pave the area around it, but that’s part of the plans for the next outdoor update.
“Our biggest splurge was the undercover deck and pool pavilion,” Louise says. This pavilion adds a resort-like feel to the pool area, which is used frequently in the warmer months.
The bright and open laundry layout lends itself to multiple uses. Louise likes to sit at the counter with her laptop while taking in the view and the breeze.
The couple have also used it as a bar area when entertaining guests.
Some of Louise’s ideas for changes to the floor plan were initially met with opposition from Bernie. She wanted to move the family bathroom from the central position at the top of the stairs, as she felt it would free up wasted space and allow a lot more light and air to flow through the house.
“Everyone says moving a bathroom is a big no-no, due to plumbing,” Louise says. “Once Bernie got a grasp of the master plan, it happened and worked out even better than I had imagined. Bernie now understands the luxury of space I harped on about.”
The new family bathroom is modern and still spacious enough to fit this claw-foot tub, another splurge. Despite not having any windows, the space doesn’t feel dark or cramped. There’s a narrow cavity in the ceiling for ventilation, and this allows natural light to filter in from the mezzanine level above.
The new family bathroom is modern and still spacious enough to fit this claw-foot tub, another splurge. Despite not having any windows, the space doesn’t feel dark or cramped. There’s a narrow cavity in the ceiling for ventilation, and this allows natural light to filter in from the mezzanine level above.
Part of this level was also turned into a mezzanine to provide more storage. The stair balustrade was designed with long, vertical hardwood battens that run through all three levels of the home, tying the spaces together visually.
Artwork: Russell Kereama
Artwork: Russell Kereama
Louise loves the space and light created by moving the family bathroom. The area also leads to the small deck that was added above the front door. The painting is by the couple’s eldest son, Shaun.
The couple’s favorite new feature is their bedroom. “We absolutely love our bedroom. It has become quite a retreat for us,” Louise says. It features a sitting area, balcony, walk-in closet and luxurious en suite bath.
Denver bed: Max Sparrow
Denver bed: Max Sparrow
This 1950s sofa was reupholstered to be used in a bar room, but it sat in the couple’s office at work for four years. Louise had intended to get it reupholstered again, but she realized it would work in their bedroom once the layout was complete.
In the master bath is a tiled nook between the shower and louvered window. It provides more light while also enhancing the relaxed ambience of this part of the home.
Down the hall are two guest bedrooms. A print from Temple & Webster is the focal point of this one, its serene blue tones carried through to the bedding.
The second guest room is decorated in darker, earthier tones.
Louise says she and Bernie learned a lot about themselves when they first started renovating as a young couple. “The great Australian dream requires great commitment and hard yakka [work], along with realistic expectations, planning, budget and available time — the best laid plans of mice and men,” she says with a laugh.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes |Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Bernie and Louise Thatcher
Location: Alexandra Hills, Queensland state, Australia
Size: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
BEFORE: Louise Thatcher had been collecting ideas for about 15 years and had formed a plan in her mind of what her home would look like. In 2013, she and husband Bernie hired builder Mark Smeeton and his son Jack. They also had an architect come in during the planning stages, but the couple felt there wasn’t a shared vision there. So it was back to the drawing board, with hours spent on design software and websites, including Houzz. Mark and a draftsman helped the pair fine-tune their plans, along with a draftsman. After the local council approved the plans, the work lasted 14 months.