Styling and Photography: Louise Roche
It was a trip to the southern Italian region of Puglia, iconic for its hillside towns dotted with whitewashed limestone houses and ancient olive groves, that cast a lasting spell on Queensland couple Danika and Brian. To the parents of two, the streets of Italy’s famed ‘heel of the boot’ region would provide the inspiration for the new look of their family home on the Gold Coast.
The result is the gloriously reimagined abode Danika and Brian have lovingly named ‘Casa Franc’ after their daughter Francesca – a house that welcomes in dappled sunlight and lush Mediterranean-influenced vistas at every turn.
“We just loved the design and style of the houses in Puglia,” says Danika. “We wanted our own home to feel like it could be in Italy, but grounded in the relaxed way we live here in Australia.”
Drive behind the design
In 2018, the couple – parents to Francesca, seven, and Harvey, four – bought the unremarkable ’90s home sitting on a relatively compact 625 square-metre block. While the three-bedroom brick house – perfectly liveable as it was – appeared poky and lacklustre in style, Danika and Brian were won over by its prime Gold Coast location just moments from cafes and the water’s edge.
“The house was all white walls and grey tiles. It didn’t have any soul,” says Danika. “It also didn’t make good use of the block, but we saw the potential.” Danika, owner of Certflow and The Slow Beach Shack, and Brian, owner/director of Platinum Building Approvals, wasted no time honing their vision.
“I’ve grown up in the construction industry,” says Danika. “My father was a builder, and my mother is a building designer. My husband has also been in the building industry from a young age. We all agreed the house needed a major renovation – and that we would go ‘out and up’ to fully maximise the block.”
Planning Progress
When it came to enlisting a building designer, the couple knew who to approach– Danika’s award-winning mother Sandra Smedley. “It was so special working on the home with my mum – something I’ll treasure forever,” says Danika. “She totally understood our vision and how we live as a family. It was just perfect.”
With the existing home reconfigured and extended, an upper floor was conceived. Engaging builder PJH Constructions – Danika and Brian foresaw the home being “as practical as it is beautiful”.
Plans were submitted to council, and development approval granted a few months later, with the works to take place over a nine-month period. “Because my husband is a building certifier, he was all over it from the beginning – so everything was designed to meet code and council,” says Danika. “We ensured the design ticked all the boxes.”
Special features
Danika loved selecting the key fixtures, finishes and furnishings for the home. “Doing all of the interiors was a dream for me – an absolute joy,” she says. “It felt so natural – like I was bringing a vision to life that had been with me for years.”
From outside to within, each space has been the beneficiary of an alluring texture and tone transformation. The spotlight is cast on a cohesive assemblage of ‘from the earth’ materials in their soul-soothing state – buttery travertine, timber and creamy Taj Mahal quartzite.
Throughout, arched walkways present harmoniously in a home devoid of white-painted surfaces. “Every wall has a limewashed finish. That was non-negotiable from the start,” Danika says. “I love the way the limewash brings warmth, movement and texture to the rooms and just gives the right feel. All of our materials tell a story.”
Best Splurges
Artisan finishes and personalised statement pieces – such as the monolithic micro-cement platform with curved steps for the couple’s bed, and the bespoke built-in wraparound sofa in the living zone – speak of the thought and care that went into the design.
“They were definitely splurges, but they’re custom pieces that were well worth it to me,” says Danika. “I sat down with my mum and explained that I wanted a built-in bed, but in an organic shape. As she sketched, I’d say ‘A little bit more of a curve here and there!’ That was a special moment, designing that with her, and I absolutely love it.”
Laid in a French pattern, the gorgeous travertine pavers grounding the living domains were another must-have. And there are no regrets. “Any day, I’d choose natural stone,” says Danika. “The cost was definitely higher for the tilers to lay it – and then it needed to be sealed, so there are extras to consider. But it’s important to know the materials you want to prioritise.”
Lessons Learnt
From the very first concepts to the completed home, Danika and Brian never wavered from their singular vision to create a relaxed family home that pays homage to one of their favourite holiday destinations.
“We only went over our budget by around six per cent,” shares Danika. “We were super-organised and most of our selections were made at the time of quoting with PJH Constructions… There will always be occasions where you second-guess yourself, but my advice is to be clear and confident in your style and decisions,” she continues. “It’s completely fine to be influenced by trends, but follow what you genuinely love. I read somewhere that ‘Your home should feel like you – not Pinterest’ and I love that.”
Certainly, the couple have every reason to be proud of what they have created. For the home, above all, is the place they love returning to time and again. “As soon as I walk through our front gate, I feel as though I’ve been transported into an Italian courtyard with a beautiful old olive tree,” says Danika. “It’s our little piece of Italy here on the Gold Coast.”
Source Book
Building design Sandra A Smedley Building Design
Interior design Danika Downting, @casa__franc
Builder PJH Constructions, pjhconstructions.com
Building certifier Platinum Building Approvals, @platinumbuildingapprovals
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