Layers of history too good to discard were uncovered when this 1960s waterfront abode was renovated. Originally built by architect Bill Conrad, the home had fallen into disrepair. New owners enlisted the services of Gold Coast based architect Paul Uhlmann to save the home and elevate it to the best of cosmopolitan seaside living.
The interesting timber framed structure required considerable maintenance as well as a new overriding design aesthetic to reflect the new owners’ living needs, personalities and to showcase their art collection. Throughout the renovation process, decades of previous updates to the home were uncovered. Many surviving 1960s features were also rediscovered, retained and brought back to life. The home’s original character had been restored, informed the direction Uhlmann and his team would take. Paramount to the design process was a new life for the residence sympathetic to its past. To this end, all work carried out was intended to complement the original and existing building fabric.
Inside and out, a simple, chic and timeless colour palette of black and white has been used. Externally, white walls are accented with black balustrading on the balconies, as well as black surrounds on guttering, windows and door casings. Black frames the windows internally as well, and is used to great effect around cornices and bulk heads, adding a bold yet understated feature.
Natural materials bring extra life to the home. In the kitchen, timber island benches in a rich mahogany warm the space, while honey blonde flooring is used extensively throughout
the residence.
The kitchen and dining areas were redesigned and opened up to reflect the modern open living floorplan expected in high end homes today. The finishes in the kitchen are echoed in the bathroom, with rich timber cabinetry the perfect pedestal to hold the crisp white double basins. Floor tiles in a tessellating pattern remind occupants of the home’s 1960s roots. Feature walls are created throughout the house with timber panelling running along some walls and ceilings, and then finished in the same clean white as the other walls. These simple details are well placed to achieve the maximum effect. All new finishes and cabinetry were designed to complement the existing home and gardens.
Outside, the sparkling pool is now a glorious showpiece. Original mosaic tiles were retained, as was the diving board. A pool fence was incorporated into the design making the space functional as well as fun. A carpet of lush green grass leads to the river’s edge, the perfect backyard for this idyllic home. New covered and louvered decks make the most of the main river views which extend to the city beyond.
The final piece of the puzzle, mid-century modern furniture, fills the home, reflective of the its era of conception. Uhlmann and his team have excelled in restoring structure, elevating it to award-winning status. The home received an RAIA State Commendation in 2016. Demolition and destruction are but a distant memory.
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