Inside Project Belmont, Paddington
Introduction
Breathing New Life into a Classic Queenslander
Nestled in the charming suburb of Paddington in Brisbane, the Belmont project showcases what happens when vision meets thoughtful design. This major renovation transformed an aging Queenslander house with structural and aesthetic challenges into a stunning modern home that blends classic Queensland architecture with contemporary elements.
Sitting on a modest 508m² block of land, this impressive five-bedroom, four-bathroom home makes the most of every square inch, creating spacious living areas that connect seamlessly with the outdoors despite the challenges of a steep hillside location.
Before
After
Before the Renovation
The Charm and Challenges of the Original Home
The Belmont project started off as a classic Queensland house with a bricked lower level and wooden upper level, sitting on a challenging steep hillside block in Paddington.
While the home had good bones, the real challenge was turning this old home into a modern home while preserving the protected character façade. It required significant updates to make it liveable for a modern family. The existing layout was poorly designed with small windows that didn’t maximize the beautiful views, and awkwardly placed architectural elements that made spaces feel cramped.
The Vision Behind the Transformation
Mark and Kim didn’t just want a renovation – they wanted to create their perfect family home. After purchasing the property with existing development approval and plans, they quickly realized changes were needed to truly make it their own.
“We bought the house and we looked at the plans and Kim and I sat down and we literally remarked up all the plans,” Mark explains. “We basically told him our feedback and what we wanted to do to change it.”
This hands-on approach led to significant improvements: “We added on an extra bedroom… an extra bathroom and a half… a bigger office… the master bedroom was bigger. We got higher ceilings. We got more space,” Mark shares.
The result is a thoughtfully customized home with a warm, timeless aesthetic that balances modern design with classic Queensland charm. As Mark puts it, “We literally designed that house to be perfect for us as a family.”
From expanding windows to maximize views, to adding clever features like a side entrance for guests, every aspect of the Belmont project reflects the owners’ desire for a home that’s both beautiful and perfectly functional for their family life.
Design Goals: Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future
“The Architects have heroed that modern Queenslander,” Mark explains, noting that they worked carefully within council regulations to respect the protected characteristic façade. The result is what Mark describes as “a modern contemporary Queenslander with a bit of a Mediterranean feel.”
This balancing act continues inside, where Kim’s interior design vision focused on creating spaces that would stand the test of time. “She wanted it to be timeless,” Mark shares. “She wanted to be on trend but she didn’t want it to be too bold that would be like ‘whoa that’s not going to last.’”
Must-Have Features and Bold Ideas
The renovation completely reimagined the home’s layout to better serve a modern family’s needs. Mark and Kim’s vision included several must-have elements:
A downstairs guest bedroom was added “the in-laws could stay with comfort” Mark explains.
The master bedroom was enlarged with dramatically expanded windows to maximize views and natural light. Mark recalls, “They had small windows and I made them massive windows like over the master bedroom.”
Upstairs, they created what Mark calls “a phenomenal room” – a lounge that “gets northern sun through winter” and offers “a beautiful view,” making it the perfect spot to enjoy a book.
The kitchen became a showstopper with what Mark describes as “beautiful stone that looks like artwork.” This statement piece anchors the warm, calm palette that Kim designed throughout the home.
Other bold features include curved walls, feature stairs, strategically placed skylights, and green mosaic finger tiles that wrap elegantly around curved surfaces. The renovation also incorporated smart home features, including SONOS speakers and Shelly smart home lighting.
Outside, architectural timber cladding at the rear offers a striking visual element that “will silver off” over time, creating an ever-evolving facade that gets “better with time.”
Demolition & Discovery
Unexpected Surprises
As with many renovation projects on older homes, the Belmont team encountered several unexpected challenges once demolition began. The steep hillside location proved more problematic than initially anticipated, requiring major structural adjustments.
“There were major retaining walls that were not included on the plans that we did like around the old pool area,” Mark explains. This discovery meant additional engineering and construction work to ensure the stability of the property.
Water management also became a critical concern. The steep slope meant water runoff from neighboring properties would flow directly through their land. The team quickly realized standard drainage solutions wouldn’t be sufficient for the property’s unique position.
Inside the existing structure, ceiling height issues emerged in the front bedroom with the balcony. “There was a bulkhead and a low doorway that would have made the room feel cramped,” Mark points out. The original plans hadn’t adequately addressed how to maintain proper ceiling heights while preserving the protected exterior roofline.
Another surprise was the asbestos pool shell hidden within the existing home. This was something we hadn’t anticipated or budgeted for.
Overcoming Challenges
The Belmont renovation faced significant hurdles throughout the build process, but each obstacle became an opportunity to improve the final result. Working on a steep hillside block presented one of the biggest challenges. “It was built on a steep hillside block,” Mark explains, which required extensive retaining walls not included in the original plans.
Water management on the sloped site demanded innovative thinking. “We collect all of the drainage from my neighbour, all of our land, and it goes to that pit,” Mark describes, pointing to the commercial-grade pump and pit system they installed. “It’s so large and the pumps are big. It’s like a fire hydrant shoot to the road.”
The front fence presented another unique challenge due to the property’s severe grade. The team created a stepped “crazy-pave” design that worked with the terrain rather than fighting against it.
Inside the home, existing structural elements threatened to compromise the spacious feeling they wanted. In the front bedroom with the balcony, ceiling heights were constrained by the existing roofline. Rather than accept a cramped space, Mark explains, “I rebuilt it all on an angle from inside to get us as high as possible… just to give us more height to get a higher door.”
Building and Code Compliance
Getting It Right the First Time
Despite the many changes and challenges, the Belmont project successfully navigated Brisbane’s strict building codes and character home requirements.
The team respected the protected character façade while finding creative ways to modernize the structure.
When faced with structural challenges, like ceiling heights in the front bedroom with the balcony, the team found innovative solutions that maintained compliance while improving liveability. “I rebuilt that roof from inside itself,” Mark explains, allowing them to gain ceiling height without altering the protected external roofline.
The carefully engineered drainage solutions ensure the hillside property remains stable and dry for years to come, while the thoughtful layout changes and structural modifications create a home that’s as sturdy as it is beautiful.
Crafting Every Detail with Care
Throughout the project, Mark and Kim’s hands-on approach led to countless on-site decisions that elevated the design. The green mosaic finger tiles that wrap around curved walls became a signature element, adding visual interest and texture.
In the bathrooms, the team created custom solutions like curved shower ledges that weren’t in the original plans. “We didn’t have it on plan,” Mark recalls. “We realised we needed one, what were we going to do?’ and we came up with that idea.” The result is a thoughtfully designed shower ledge that “follows the bath” and “curves off right at the very tip.”
The kitchen received special attention with beautiful stone that Mark describes as looking “like artwork.” Combined with built-in appliances, double sinks, a coffee nook, and ample storage, the kitchen became a showpiece of the home.
Many custom elements were decided during construction rather than in the planning phase. “I made heaps of changes on site and that’s important as your dream home comes to life, things you didn’t think about before become more evident,” Mark admits. This included replacing a planned cavity slider with an arch: “I just pulled the cavity slider out and put an arch in there and now it’s a feature,” creating a beautiful visual connection to the wine cabinet.
Throughout the home, windows were enlarged to maximize natural light and views. “I made them massive windows,” Mark explains, dramatically improving spaces like the master bedroom where a small window was replaced with an expansive glass feature.
This careful attention to detail and willingness to make improvements during the build process transformed what could have been a standard renovation into a truly custom home perfectly suited to the family’s needs.
Inside the Transformation
The Curved Statement: Feature Wall and Staircase
The curved feature wall and staircase create a dramatic focal point in the Belmont home. These architectural elements add fluid movement and visual interest to the space, softening the transition between areas.
“It’s got a smooth curve that softens the corner” Mark points out when describing the bathroom. This curvature is enhanced by the striking green mosaic finger tiles that wrap around the bend. “Green mosaic and it wraps around heaps of curves,” he explains, creating a visual element that draws the eye and adds texture to the space.
Kitchen: The Feature Stone Centerpiece
“We put in some beautiful stone that in the kitchen looks like artwork,” Mark explains. This centerpiece is complemented by thoughtful details throughout, including built-in refrigeration, double sinks, a dedicated coffee nook, and ample storage.
A spacious butler’s pantry adds both functionality and luxury. “An oversized pantry in there, strip lighting, occursed splat custom splashback with travertine tiles,” Mark details. “It’s got like a lot of PowerPoints for appliances… they’re just hidden behind things.”
Light and Space: Skylights and Window Transformations
One of the most dramatic changes in the renovation was the transformation of windows throughout the home. “They had small windows and I made them massive windows,” Mark explains, particularly highlighting the master bedroom where an expansive window now frames stunning views.
Strategically placed skylights, especially in the downstairs living area, flood the space with natural light and enhance the indoor-outdoor connection. These thoughtful additions dramatically changed how light moves through the home, creating spaces that feel larger and more connected to the outdoors.
In the front bedroom with the balcony, the team had to get creative with ceiling heights. “I rebuilt that roof from inside itself,” Mark explains, allowing for higher ceilings and larger door openings without changing the protected external roofline.
Office Space: Creating the Perfect Work Environment
The renovation included a generous office space designed for productivity and comfort. “It’s a triple office,” Mark explains. This thoughtfully designed area provides ample room for multiple people to work comfortably.
Located to maximize natural light, the office enjoys “nice northern North Western views” that provide “really good light all day.” This careful positioning makes it a pleasant space to spend working hours, with views that inspire rather than distract.
Bathroom: Curved Half-Height Shower Ledges
Featuring the curved half-height shower ledges, this adds to the overall aesthetics.
Adding to the luxury feel are features like multiple shower heads – “It’s got three shower heads” – and beautiful travertine-look tiles that create a spa-like atmosphere.
Adding the Outdoor BBQ and Alfresco Space
The outdoor living areas underwent significant transformation during the build, with features added that weren’t in the original plans. Most notably, Mark points out, “They didn’t have a barbecue area. I put that there.”
The addition of the BBQ and roof structure created a complete outdoor kitchen and dining space that vastly improved the functionality of the alfresco area. This enhancement allows for proper indoor-outdoor living, a crucial element in Queensland’s climate.
The pool area was also integrated more thoughtfully with the main living spaces, creating flow between indoor and outdoor zones. With careful attention to levels and transitions, the team created seamless connections that make entertaining and everyday living more enjoyable.
The alfresco area exemplifies the team’s approach throughout the project: not settling for what was originally planned, but continually looking for opportunities to enhance the home’s functionality and livability.
Conclusion
What began as an aging Queenslander with structural and aesthetic challenges has been transformed into a modern family home that honours its heritage while embracing contemporary design.
The renovation successfully balances the charm of a traditional Queenslander with modern amenities and thoughtful design solutions. From the curved feature walls to the statement stone kitchen, from the expanded windows to the smart drainage solutions, every element of this home has been carefully considered and expertly executed.
The result is not just a beautiful house but a warm, functional family home with spaces designed specifically for how the owners live. As Mark puts it simply yet powerfully when looking at photos of the completed project: “It’s the dream home we’ve always wanted and the team brought it to life.”
Contact Kodiak Projects
If you’re considering a renovation or new build and want to achieve the same balance of beauty, functionality, and quality craftsmanship, contact Kodiak Projects. From small renovations to complete transformations like the Belmont project, our team has the expertise to help you create your perfect home.
Send us a message to discuss your project and discover how we can help bring your vision to life.
