WHEN Brisbane couple Ant McCormack and Melina Hobday purchased 17 Hove St in Highgate Hill, it was an 1880s character cottage with a retro touch.
“It had an outside bathroom and everything other than the 1950s kitchen was original,” Mr McCormack said.
“We lived in it for a good four or five years to get a sense of the space and how to best make the most of it. We spent years designing it, literally sitting in the house and sketching.”
Ms Hobday, an architect, has managed to blend traditional features and charm with an extraordinarily clever contemporary design, somehow making the space feel much larger than its footprint.
“We wanted to retain and respect the heritage of the cottage so we lovingly restored the original floors and VJ cladding,” Mr McCormack said.
“We even retained the original chimney which was tough to do. An 1880 worker’s cottage in Queensland with a double-height chimney, I think there’s only a handful left.”
Hidden behind the worker’s cottage facade is a double-storey home with all the comforts and qualities needed for a modern lifestyle.
An extension creates expansive open-plan living on the lower level with connection to the terrace and private garden.
The house has been designed to maximise the north orientation with a double-height space over the kitchen and a large two-storey glass door allowing natural light to fill the house.
“It’s a small site so a lot of thought when into maximising the space and the important small details like off-street parking for our scooter out the front, and keeping the deciduous trees on the northern side to shade the yard yet let in light and warmth in winter," Mr McCormack said.
Smart design has resulted in a 162sq m floorplan featuring three bedrooms including a master with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, an open-plan living/dining and kitchen, a family bathroom, separate laundry, office/library, rear terrace and front veranda.
“It sounds cliche but most people so just say ‘wow’ when they walk through the front door and see this massive double-height glass door fully open,” Mr McCormack said.
“It’s completely unexpected, as is the amount of space. Better design makes the space bigger, not just having more square meterage. Everything is exactly where it should be.”
A career opportunity in Melbourne means Mr McCormack and Ms Hobday are selling their dream home.
Ray White South Brisbane principal Luke Croft is taking the property to auction on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm.
“We’ve had plenty of interest so far, and it’s just amazing what can be done with a small lot,” Mr Croft said.
“It ticks all the boxes of low maintenance living in a premium inner-city location. I’ve worked in the area for 16 years and I’ve never sold anything like this.”
The home is within walking distance of Brisbane State High School, St Laurence’s College, Somerville House, South Bank Parklands, GOMA and Mater Hospital.
