Living room, originally uploaded by Naida.

Surface of Walls. The structure of walls and ceiling on which you will have to work is usually plaster, while the doors and skirtings will be wood and the windows and window frames wood or metal. Occasionally a wall will be of wood or some composition board. But only if you are going to paint or distemper will this matter to you. There are two kinds of plaster—the traditional lime plaster and the modern quick-drying plasters which are now in more general use. Of these two alternatives, the lime plaster is definitely preferable and gives a harder and better surface, but it has the disadvantage of taking many months to dry out. During that time it is useless to paint it as the paint obstructs the drying, and the water coming to the surface makes the paint flake off. It was to counteract this that various quick-drying plasters have been put on the market and these are now nearly always used by builders in a hurry. But their final effect is not nearly so satisfactory, as in drying quickly they crack and the making good of these cracks results in a bad surface. It is always better to distemper new plaster and wait until you are sure it is dry before painting or papering.

Looking toward the Master bedroom, you can see the red wall (!) and the coffered ceiling. The hemlock wood trim is on the floor.

Dollhouse: Living Room: Left side, originally uploaded by houseofduke.

The wallpapers were added almost a year ago because the color combination was something I really liked early on, however it was the furniture that took much longer to obtain. Like with the kids room I posted here in the past, it needed quite a bit of repainting to suit the color scheme. Furniture is all from different sets, either Barbie, Licca or from other doll lines from the 60′s/70′s.

Minor changes and additions were to this petite 1930s bungalow, was the starting point for interior design firm Coop Creative, which worked in conjunction with builder Andrew Schmidt Constructions on this project. The Entry was opened up to create a connection to the new rear verandah. The decorative palette is retained to create an interior to comfort and nurture the occupants’ busy personal lives. Walking through the home was like taking a trip back in time, with pink wallpaper and Axminster carpet featured throughout the cramped living spaces.

The owner of the home asked Coop Creative director, Rowena Cornwell, to make the house a soothing and relaxing space to enjoy her rare leisure time. The brief was to streamline the interiors while retaining the charms of the original structure, such as decorative architraves and picture rails. The client also required more space for a growing collection of paintings and glassware.

By the time Coop was finished, the home was a streamlined one-level pad with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two sitting rooms. Also included were a dining room, library and kitchen.

A lot in the home was moved around and added, including a new back deck and carport for the outdoor area. It was decided to add the deck to the rear of the kitchen as the house is high at the back and had little connection to the rear garden. The block is an awkward shape so trying to attach a spacious deck, while making it fit in with the site boundaries, was a challenge. Another detail Coop added was a solid stucco balustrade to match the house and a light contemporary timber screen and roof. This allowed the new addition to tie in with the rest of the home, rather than looking awkward and somewhat stuck-on.

The original bathroom was removed and replaced with a new one between a bedroom and the study. A relaxation space and entry area to the new verandah occupies the original bathroom space.

According to Rowena Cornwell, “While the petite home had solid concrete walls and the charm of leadlight windows, the space was disconnected and needed opening up to see through the back of the house from the front door.” Cosy places to hide away were still created, with a curved loft providing a reading room/library that sits a half level above the living room. Benchseat windows surrounded by books overlook the garden for a charming place to relax. “It was important to make the house fuss-free and for it to be a platform for simple, stress-free times,” she says.

Rowena also says the inspiration for the renovation came from the house itself. “We wanted to respect and highlight the original architectural features and overlay contemporary elements to bring the home up to today’s standards.” Special details enhance every room, with an entry area with the recessed shelves not only solving storage problems, but providing a lovely display case for the owner’s collectables.
Parts of the home were in quite good condition and were retained for their character, including the existing timber flooring, which was stained in Japan Black. Wallpaper by Verde Agencies and colours such as Spanish Eyes, Grand Piano and Self-Destruct by Dulux add a dynamic quality to each room. The kitchen was also given a bit of pizzazz with a CaesarStone benchtop and a Bisazza tile splashback, which sit above the cabinets that were custom-designed by Coop.

This project was especially enjoyable for the people at Coop because they knew the client loved and respected not only the space, but the location as well. “The client had always loved the street and so when the opportunity came to purchase the house, she could not resist. Having a client with a love for the original house and its charm, and who wanted to give it a respectful new lease on life is always special,” said Rowena.

It was a particular pleasure for the firm to encounter the client of the Balaam House, who was prepared to discuss architecture, interior design, décor, landscape and art as a totality. The total coordination of the construction, and a productive relationship between architect and client allowed the design to overcome idiosyncratic problems with the site. The riverside plot in northeast Brisbane was surrounded by five hundred apartments in tall blocks: a very public realm to build a private house. Orientation and view corridors to the river and to the city clearly had to be carefully finessed, and privacy bolstered.

Shaun Lockyer (one of 3 Directors) heading the team at Arkhefield created a unique solution in a very urban, riverside plot. “Our client wanted a unique piece of architecture that could enhance family life and not be precious. Feedback from the client is that the house has achieved this aspiration while providing privacy and sanctuary from the otherwise urban and public environment.”

When viewed from the riverside path the house’s size befits the surrounding multi residential buildings. Elevated living areas take in the views and the lightening of construction materials can be seen from east to west. Overlooked to the east, the house looks for winter warmth from the north and west whilst trying to take in southern river views. A private garden to the west provides light, a play area for children and a fire pit for relaxing around in the evening.

The house combines zinc aluminium, concrete, rich timbers and raw battening as the house moves from secure bedrooms on the easterly spine towards the more open living rooms of the setting sun. Centre piece of the property is the cantilevered pool, providing an eave for the main entrance with its showpiece, glass end.

Complementing its modern style and perhaps Gehry-esque (without comparison or wanting to offend) zinc curves, the house packs in green features as well.
Rain water harvesting, solar hot water, passive “heat stack” cross ventilation (see the stairwell ventilation and light shaft on the easterly wall), solar control glass, operable louvers, shutters and blinds on solar clocks to limit use of air-conditioning, thermal mass and low maintenance, recycled, materials were all a consideration.

From its solid east wall spine, the house peels back layers to the south west. In response and consultation with its neighbor, an open “garden zone” provides green to the otherwise built up environs. It may seem large, but within the broader higher density context of its surroundings it fits well and as the layers peel back the living areas and outdoor dining provide protection from the elements, views and cross ventilation.

The layout also provides: a secure 4 bedroom stack for the children above the garage at the northern end, leaving the southern end for entertaining, living and on the top floor a master wing. The first floor level accommodates the bulk of living needs including the outdoor living and pool.