Surprises come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.This surprise, for me, came in the form of a Queenslander home, with a wrap-around verandah, sitting in a quiet, suburban street of East Ipswich.
The owners, Nathan and Vanessa, contacted me with a few snaps of their beloved new home. And though it’s technically not in Brisbane, like the most part of this blog, I was keen to take a look at this home and the surrounding areas with my own eyes – and what a surprise!!
East Ipswich Queenslander
The street is reminiscent of days gone by; a mixture of Queenslander homes built in the early 1900’s, rambling gardens, neighbours who actually talk to each other and a place where children, chickens and ducks roam free.
It really is idyllic and a perfect location to raise a young family, away from the noise of a big city, but with all of the conveniences you have come to expect on hand.
Originally hailing from Brisbane and Ipswich, the couple moved to Sydney for several years, before upping sticks and downsizing the mortgage in search of a more simple lifestyle, back in the south-east corner. With a Queenslander style home on their wish list, they were fortunate to snap up this little beauty, making an offer within just 30 minutes of setting eyes on her.
Built in 1918, the home has seen only 2 owners prior to Nathan and Vanessa and has clearly been well loved and cared for over the years. Many of the original fixtures and fittings are still in situ, including the Bakelite light switches and expanses of coloured glass which is such a beautiful feature on homes of this era. Of course, no Queenslander is complete without VJ walls and warm, honey coloured pine floor boards.
The traditional layout houses a renovated kitchen and bathroom, done just before the current owners purchased, with ceilings of over 4 meters, making the home feels so spacious and bright. Testament to a gorgeous Queensland ‘winter’ all the doors were wide open on the day I visited, allowing fresh air to flow freely. The wrap-around verandah provides various spots to sit and enjoy the outdoors and the children can run in and out of the house freely.
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
The home is furnished with a balanced mix of old and new, a look I think Queenslander homes wear really well. Vanessa is one lucky lady, as Nathan is not only a master of his super cool coffee machine, he is also very handy on the tools, upcycling some of the furniture pieces and decorative items dotted around the home – see if you can recognise any defunct electrical equipment in the lounge room…. I really think he could earn a living by making peoples Pinterest dreams come true!!
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
These days, the front door is a welcoming splash of bright pink and the original door sits in place in the hallway. It is such a gorgeous part of the homes history that will be preserved for many years to come.
Photo – Elizabeth Santillan
The family plans to call this their home for at least the next decade while the children attend the local schools. I think they will spend many happy years enjoying this home and the lovely area surrounding it.
Thanks Nathan and Vanessa for sharing your lovely home with me and my readers!
