Monday July 28 2008

When seasoned builders Duncan and Judy bought this plot of land with sweeping views of two golf courses on the Gold Coast, they wanted to build a house that suited their long-term needs.

“We wanted an open, spacious layout, with plenty of room for our friends and family,” Judy says.

The initial plans for the four-bedroom house in Sanctuary Cove were drawn up by architect Greg Read of Project Planning Group. Then Judy called on interior designers John O’Hara and Nick Beer of Feral Developments to help her personalise them. She’d worked with the pair on a previous home and liked their style.

John and Nick instantly agreed to come on board. “We already knew how easy Duncan and Judy were to work with and, when Judy promised to be gopher, doing all the legwork and running around, we couldn’t refuse – she is the most organised and efficient woman I know!” John says.

The brief was simple: “understated and contemporary,” something John, who admits to a natural flair for the over-the-top, had to thoughtfully consider every step of the way. “They both wanted these large volumes of open space without clutter or heavy layering, and I was concerned that such huge areas without anything in them would lack punch and soul – they were very trusting to let me loose.”

His winning compromise was a layered look, focusing on subtle detailing, with floating limed oak cabinetry and upholstered walls balanced by a neutral palette and punctuated with tasteful splashes of colour.

The four bedrooms fan out from the entrance, each with their own ensuite and personalised design. As the rest of the house was so neutral, the bedrooms presented a chance to mix things up a little, John says. “Each room has its own feel and we used dark, strong colours to make them feel more intimate.”

The main bedroom, to the left of the entrance hall, is expansive, with a king-sized bed flanked by custom-designed bedside tables. The luxurious dressing room and ensuite, complete with upholstered wall and ottoman, were designed in close consultation with the owners. “We even incorporated a custom-designed steam room which Duncan and Judy use daily,” John says.

In the central living space, John drew inspiration from a sophisticated hotel lobby layout, using casual clusters of furniture to create rooms within rooms. “The centre of this house is so wide and open, with such a high ceiling – it was a challenge to create a warm atmosphere without adding too many objects or colours,” John says. “I didn’t want the rooms to just look like a whole bunch of chairs and sofas and we thought hard about how to pull each individual area together without breaking the flow.”

A few sentimental favourites balanced the look, including two antique timber carver chairs, passed down through Duncan’s family, which are grouped on a cowhide, and a black baby grand piano, placed between the dining and lounge rooms.

Adjoining this area is a state-of-the-art media room, which can be completely enclosed with large sliding doors or opened up to connect with the dining and living rooms and kitchen. “The media room is Duncan’s domain,” John says. “He had very specific requests for the design, and wanted it to be very much a part of the house and not removed from all the action.”

In the kitchen, Judy had her own firm ideas: a clean white palette and no clutter. Elegantly positioned beneath a painted bulkhead, the only splash of colour in this otherwise pristine space, the kitchen allows Judy – who loves nothing more than having guests over – to cook and entertain with ease. A separate laundry and butler’s pantry extend discreetly off the rear and the same clean finishes carry right through to the integrated outdoor barbecue area. The house flows easily out to the covered terrace, bordered by lush lawn and a carefully planned landscape which acts as the perfect foreground for the view of the rolling green golf course beyond. A pool finishes the look, with an inviting white day bed suspended over the side.

The finished home is one Duncan and Judy could not be happier with. “This is really the first house that we have felt truly comfortable in as our own special home,” Judy says. “It is completely tailored to our own personal tastes, which was exactly what we set out to achieve.”