Street appeal
The Hansen family can attest to the fact there really is no place like home. When the Hansens bought their brick house in a leafy pocket of Buderim more than a decade ago, their intention was always to renovate. They seriously began planning how they would transform the place three years ago, but Karen and John soon realised it was just not viable.
“We brought in lots of builders and they all warned us it would cost a fortune and it didn’t have great bones to begin with, so it was suggested we knock it down,” Karen recalls. Because the house was still quite liveable, the two were conscious of the waste associated with knocking it down and looked to buy a larger house elsewhere to accommodate the growing needs of children Camille, 11, and Brendan, 13.
But despite an extensive search, the consensus among the family members was the same. “Every time it came back to the fact we truly loved where we lived and the location is ideal. So although it was a heart-wrenching decision, we finally decided to knock the house down and rebuild on the block,” Karen explains. Enlisting the help of Craig Cleary from Craig Cleary Construction and Lyndsay Halson from Elenel Design, the brief was for a functional modern family home which, unlike their previous place, captured the magnificent aspect.
“I knew from retrieving the kids’ balls from the roof of the old house that the site had a great view, but unfortunately the only place you could see it from was the main bedroom and ensuite,” Karen says. “So it was really important to ensure the height and orientation were right so we could overlook Mt Ninderry and Mt Cooroora.” Acknowledging how sad it was to see their house reduced to rubble, Karen found packing up and moving out was the hardest part. “It was definitely an emotional process, but it made me realise that the house is not a home without the family in it. Home is wherever they are,” she says.
Renting just around the corner during the 12-month building process, the family visited the site regularly to watch the house take shape. When it came to the finishing touches Karen sought the expertise of Craig’s wife, Cherie Cleary. “With so many carpet and tile options on the market it was really good having help from someone who had experience. Cherie was a godsend,” she says. The family moved in just three months ago and Karen says while the drive home may be familiar, the new house and panoramic view are still a novelty.
“Friends we’ve known for years have come around since the house was finished and comment they never knew the block had such great views,” she says. “The kitchen is literally the heart of the house and from there I can see everything that is going on while enjoying the view too.” Set on three levels, the top floor is a designated parents’ retreat complete with a luxurious bath, reading area and large corner window.
On the central level an open plan living, dining, kitchen and deck area functions as one large entertainment space, while the children’s bedrooms, bathrooms and lounge room form a wing to the south-west. On the lower level a laundry opens on to a deck, which steps down to the gardens landscaped by Andy Barnard from The Ground Up. “We wanted lots of Australian natives to attract the birdlife. Big grass trees were part of the original block so Andy incorporated several more into the landscaping,” Karen explains.
Timber is an integral feature of the home with blackbutt floors, a stained ply ceiling in the soaring entrance void and timber joinery in the study. “We had to cut down a few silky oaks on the site and wanted to use them in the house, but we discovered they need to cure for several years before they are ready to use,” Karen says. “So instead we got credit from the timber place (Gems of The Forest) and had the desk in the study made from scribbly gum.”
Another aspect at the top of Karen’s wish list was a wood-burning fireplace, which was set into the living room wall alongside a trio of floor lamps from Natuzzi and a chocolate leather couch. On the walls, artwork by John’s sister, Maureen, adds a lovely personal touch, family photos adorn granite-topped floating cabinetry and feature lights from Space Furniture cast a glow over the dining table.
Thrilled with the end result, Karen says the success of the home came down to good planning and great guidance along the way. “Everyone we dealt with was really knowledgeable and helpful and the quality of the finishes was fantastic,” she says. “What I love most about the house is that even though it is new, it really does feel like our family home. We are back in our street.”
Favourite spot
I love the kitchen as it has a scullery with an extra sink and dishwasher. It is great when we have people over as you can do all the prep work out of sight.
Best feature?
I love where it is with the quiet location of the street and the view. The house also has a lovely feel; you enjoy being in it.
Biggest extravagance?
Probably the kitchen and the feature lighting, which we sourced from Space Furniture, and the pendants in the entrance, which came from Yellow Goat Design in Southport.
Story: Kylie Jackes, weekender Issue 635, July 15th, 2010.
The Hansen family can attest to the fact there really is no place like home. When the Hansens bought their brick house in a leafy pocket of Buderim more than a decade ago, their intention was always to renovate. They seriously began planning how they would transform the place three years ago, but Karen and John soon realised it was just not viable.
“We brought in lots of builders and they all warned us it would cost a fortune and it didn’t have great bones to begin with, so it was suggested we knock it down,” Karen recalls. Because the house was still quite liveable, the two were conscious of the waste associated with knocking it down and looked to buy a larger house elsewhere to accommodate the growing needs of children Camille, 11, and Brendan, 13.
But despite an extensive search, the consensus among the family members was the same. “Every time it came back to the fact we truly loved where we lived and the location is ideal. So although it was a heart-wrenching decision, we finally decided to knock the house down and rebuild on the block,” Karen explains. Enlisting the help of Craig Cleary from Craig Cleary Construction and Lyndsay Halson from Elenel Design, the brief was for a functional modern family home which, unlike their previous place, captured the magnificent aspect.
“I knew from retrieving the kids’ balls from the roof of the old house that the site had a great view, but unfortunately the only place you could see it from was the main bedroom and ensuite,” Karen says. “So it was really important to ensure the height and orientation were right so we could overlook Mt Ninderry and Mt Cooroora.” Acknowledging how sad it was to see their house reduced to rubble, Karen found packing up and moving out was the hardest part. “It was definitely an emotional process, but it made me realise that the house is not a home without the family in it. Home is wherever they are,” she says.
Renting just around the corner during the 12-month building process, the family visited the site regularly to watch the house take shape. When it came to the finishing touches Karen sought the expertise of Craig’s wife, Cherie Cleary. “With so many carpet and tile options on the market it was really good having help from someone who had experience. Cherie was a godsend,” she says. The family moved in just three months ago and Karen says while the drive home may be familiar, the new house and panoramic view are still a novelty.
“Friends we’ve known for years have come around since the house was finished and comment they never knew the block had such great views,” she says. “The kitchen is literally the heart of the house and from there I can see everything that is going on while enjoying the view too.” Set on three levels, the top floor is a designated parents’ retreat complete with a luxurious bath, reading area and large corner window.
On the central level an open plan living, dining, kitchen and deck area functions as one large entertainment space, while the children’s bedrooms, bathrooms and lounge room form a wing to the south-west. On the lower level a laundry opens on to a deck, which steps down to the gardens landscaped by Andy Barnard from The Ground Up. “We wanted lots of Australian natives to attract the birdlife. Big grass trees were part of the original block so Andy incorporated several more into the landscaping,” Karen explains.
Timber is an integral feature of the home with blackbutt floors, a stained ply ceiling in the soaring entrance void and timber joinery in the study. “We had to cut down a few silky oaks on the site and wanted to use them in the house, but we discovered they need to cure for several years before they are ready to use,” Karen says. “So instead we got credit from the timber place (Gems of The Forest) and had the desk in the study made from scribbly gum.”
Another aspect at the top of Karen’s wish list was a wood-burning fireplace, which was set into the living room wall alongside a trio of floor lamps from Natuzzi and a chocolate leather couch. On the walls, artwork by John’s sister, Maureen, adds a lovely personal touch, family photos adorn granite-topped floating cabinetry and feature lights from Space Furniture cast a glow over the dining table.
Thrilled with the end result, Karen says the success of the home came down to good planning and great guidance along the way. “Everyone we dealt with was really knowledgeable and helpful and the quality of the finishes was fantastic,” she says. “What I love most about the house is that even though it is new, it really does feel like our family home. We are back in our street.”
Favourite spot
I love the kitchen as it has a scullery with an extra sink and dishwasher. It is great when we have people over as you can do all the prep work out of sight.
Best feature?
I love where it is with the quiet location of the street and the view. The house also has a lovely feel; you enjoy being in it.
Biggest extravagance?
Probably the kitchen and the feature lighting, which we sourced from Space Furniture, and the pendants in the entrance, which came from Yellow Goat Design in Southport.
Story: Kylie Jackes, weekender Issue 635, July 15th, 2010.
