This home is a real lesson in teamwork. A new build in the Newport Waterside estate in Brisbane, the interior and exterior selections and styling were completed by Manea Interior Design & Styling, who were brought on board by the owners just as they signed the build contract with Monster Homes.
“Their main concern was that their personality and love for colour would be lost in the process, and that they would end up with a home that felt bland and no different to the houses being built around them,” says interior designer Nikki Hawkins. “The client has a beautiful collection of bold, vibrant artwork and an appreciation for Mid Century Modern architecture and interiors, so the brief was to create a contemporary home that allowed the art to shine while capturing the warmth, curves, and character of Mid Century design in a fresh, liveable way.”
Nikki believes it’s a great example of how a volume builder home can be elevated through considered selections and confident use of colour. “From designing around the client’s artwork collection to incorporating feature lighting, elevated handles and hardware, every detail was chosen to create a home that feels personal, layered and beyond ‘builder basic’.
“Throughout the home, we layered confident colour choices with warm timbers, soft textures, and considered finishes to create a space that feels cohesive, practical for family life, and full of personality.”
Project Coolum is a contemporary, high set 5-bedroom, canal home, lived in by a couple with young adult children. “They wanted their home to feel like it had a point of difference and didn’t want it to feel like a generic new build.”
The biggest splurge was the beautiful Cristallo Rosa Quartzite stone benchtop.
“The home feels warm, layered and confident, with a sense of cohesion running throughout,” Nikki says. “Clean, modern silhouettes, tactile materials and a considered colour palette create a relaxed and homely environment, allowing moments of colour and artwork to make an impact without overwhelming the architecture.
“In the living areas, sculptural furniture and natural finishes bring warmth and character, while the kitchen balances clean lines with walnut timber joinery and tonal contrast. The bathrooms continue this approach, pairing playful tile layouts and colours with refined details to create spaces that feel both functional and expressive.”
What she likes most is how personality has been woven into the design. “The home feels distinctive and personal, yet calm and liveable, proving that a contemporary new build can still have depth, warmth and individuality when each decision is made with purpose.”
Photography: Candice Epthorp
For more on Nikki and Manea Interior Design
Trades and suppliers
- Builder: Monster Homes
- Tiler: Tony Glover Tiling & Design
- Stone benchtop: Art of Marble
- Bathroom mirrors: Future Glass
- Lighting: LightCo, Beacon Lighting and Robert Gordon Interiors and Klay Life.
