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Brisbane pioneer’s 1912 Queenslander given new lease of life

By Amy Collins-Walker โ€ข 3 Comments

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Once home to Thomas Mathewson, a pioneering Brisbane photographer, councillor and historian, this beautiful abode has been given a new lease of life by developer Michelle Cao from Mii and Co. โ€œItโ€™s a lovely old Queenslander and was an absolute labour of love for me. To be honest, I didnโ€™t find out it was Thomas Mathewsonโ€™s house untll after Iโ€™d bought it – I was simply looking for a great development site. But once I learned about the property, the goal was to pay complete respect to him and the place he once called home,โ€ says Michelle of the Auchenflower home.

Thomas Mathewson was born in Scotland in 1842 before emigrating to Australia with his family as a young boy; the family settled in the Ipswich area after travelling the Queensland outback for several years. As an adult, he served as a councillor in what would later become the Brisbane City Council before going into the photography business where he was known as the father of photography in Brisbane.

Kitchen
Kitchen

A passion project for Michelle, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom renovation took eight months to complete and was restored by Crowley Construction. The outside of the home required a lot of restoration given the previous owner had enclosed the veranda while using the home as student accommodation in the 70โ€™s and 80โ€™s. โ€œI just love the striking blue faรงade and white wraparound veranda. I think Thomas would be thrilled with how it looks now,โ€ says Michelle who also restored the home’s city views in the process.

Lounge room
Lounge room
Dining
Dining room

And in a lovely turn of events, when Thomasโ€™ surviving family heard the home was being restored, a group of them paid it a visit. โ€œTheyโ€™d heard I was restoring the property and wanted to see for themselves how it was taking shape and, it’s fair to say, they werenโ€™t disappointed. It was such a joy to share the finished product with them,โ€ says Michelle. During the visit, the family re-enacted a family photo from a Christmas Day in the 1920โ€™s and told Michelle stories of how Thomas would go fishing in the Brisbane River.

Bathroom
Bathroom

โ€œIt brings me a lot of satisfaction that Thomasโ€™ own family is pleased with the result. Itโ€™s more than a home to them, itโ€™s memories. This home couldโ€™ve quite easily been demolished with something big and new built in its place but Iโ€™m so proud to have restored it.”

Thomas Mathewson
Thomas Mathewson passed away in 1934

Michelle sold the home for $1.48 million after subdividing it and is now building a five-unit apartment complex on the other half of the block, valued at $6.35 million.

For more on Mii and Co.

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September 15, 2022

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Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

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It'll make you want to downsize too!

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

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What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

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A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

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Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

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๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

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#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
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Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJenny says

    September 18, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    Loved the reno on this beautiful Queenslander. Would you know what colour paint they used on the exterior?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      September 19, 2022 at 10:12 am

      I don’t but there’s a link to the developer at the end and she may be happy to tell you! Jen

      Reply
  2. AvatarJenny says

    September 19, 2022 at 10:46 am

    Thanks Jen – love your website by the way. I’ve only just subscribed but finding so much helpful information. We’re about to reno a house in Bayview which is a bit daunting but lots of fabulous ideas here. Thank you

    Reply

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