A contemporary house and garden designed in the tradition of the Arts & Crafts Movement

Our design, which is divided into main house and guest cottage follows the gently sloping contours of the site and takes full advantage of the magnificent views across the Guanaba Valley and out to Stradbroke Island. The large standing seem zinc magnesium roof is a defining feature of the building, linking the two buildings and providing its sculptural form.

‘We wanted to create a luxury home inspired by the English Arts and Crafts Movement, combining modern comforts with traditional materials such as hand cut porphyry stone, copper, and natural timber.

Inside, the house is arranged on split levels with an upper lounge and media room approached via a dramatic twisted panelled stair which frames which the space between the dining and living areas.

“The interiors reflect the colours of nature. We opted for a palette of warm tones of grey inspired by the surrounding bushland, complimented by the Natural American oak doors we’ve used throughout the house.”

Simplified traditional detailing gives the property a classic yet contemporary feel – the kitchen repeats the theme of natural oak but uses with wood stains to give a more modern take on the traditional country kitchen.

“Jez and Mark created a beautifully detailed and elegant design that has provided me with a stylish and sophisticated home here on Mount Tamborine" (client)

The gardens are arranged across a series of terraces, enclosing a rose garden and kitchen garden. A long sweeping driveway lined with mass plantings of ornamental grasses and hardy perennials connects the main house and guest accommodation, accentuating the slope of the site on which the two buildings nestle. Scarlet Oaks, Liquidambar and Nyssa sylvatica have been planted to eventually provide scale, adding drama to the house entrance and provide spectacular autumn colour. Ivory Leaf Curl, Grevillea ‘Moonlight’ and White Oak have been used as screening and provide a backdrop to the borders.

Clark+Granger worked on all aspects of this design including the house and interiors as well as the surrounding gardens.

Words By Jez Clark

Photography by Jez Clark & Sabine Bannard