Three Ways You Can Return Your Queenslander To Its Former Glory
A lot was happening in Australian residential architecture during the Victorian era. It was a time of great growth for the country, with new residents from elsewhere in the British Empire arriving on a daily basis, so new homes were going up all the time--and with new and interesting architectural styles. From the Gothic Revival of the early Victorian period to the beginnings of Federation Style at its end, there was a great deal of innovation and art happening in home building during those decades.
In Queensland, of course, this led to a unique new style belonging to Australia and Australia alone: The Queenslander, which began to emerge in the 1840s. If you're lucky enough to own one of these beautiful pieces of history, you've got a wonderful opportunity to preserve it for future generations while also turning it into the perfect place for you and your family to live--but far too many of these stunning homes have been altered in ways dramatically not in keeping with their original character. So what can you do about that?
The Verandah Is Everything
A lot of traditional Queenslander verandahs have been enclosed over the years, often by renovators who wanted a little extra space. The trouble is, it's a false economy--all too often those rooms are intolerably hot and stuffy, not to mention that they tend to ruin the historical appeal of the house. If your verandah has been closed off at some point in your home's history, the single biggest thing you can do to restore the house is to have it opened up again. Once it's been reopened, look into ways to make it a beautiful and integral part of your home: dining tables, children's toys and reading nooks are all perfectly situated out here. These verandahs are amazing living spaces when properly cared for.
Don't Neglect The Space Underneath
One of the most distinctive features of the Queenslander is the airy space underneath the house itself. These homes were built on stilts, which allows air to circulate underneath the building and keeps everything cool. These gaps are often neglected, but with a thorough cleaning and a lick of paint, you've got a wonderful space to use for storage and to let your kids play outdoors in the shade. It's often possible to raise a Queenslander high enough to use the space underneath for parking, parties or even a whole extra room--though if you investigate that last option, be careful not to compromise the integrity of your home's style.
Think Open-Plan
The Queenslander type evolved primarily as a way for European settlers to keep cool in heat they weren't accustomed to before the advent of air conditioning, and that means the rooms tend to be large and spacious. These homes are designed in a way that encourages open-plan living, but too many Queenslander owners have chosen to throw up partition walls that compromise the nature of the home they're in. Ask your remodelling contractors to take these walls down, and you'll discover clean, green spaces you'll adore.
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