Although grand in scope and vision, this home’s successful transformation relied on precise, often invisible details, exacting craftsmanship and expert coordination.
Built in 1912, the Queenslander changed hands for the first time in almost 60 years in 2021. Acting on a friend’s recommendation, the new owners engaged Doug Bretherton to guide its renaissance.
The first priority was to raise and move the house to make the most of its 1,416m2 block. The ambitious extension and renovation was a ‘design of opposites’, blending gracious curves with vertical lines and a diverse range of ‘hero’ materials including stone, timber, steel and concrete. The build’s precision is immediately evident in the alignment of the garage’s narrow vertical timber battening and hidden doors with its ceiling timbers.
Inside, a stunning field stone wall, subtly offset to add dimensionality and impact, rises from softly curved concrete seating and steps that were moulded on-site and contain a thriving internal garden. Floating timber stairs soar up to a ‘birdcage’ office, adapted from the original plan by the builder to lighten the visual impact and capitalise on the home’s generous proportions.
Five of the home’s six bedrooms are upstairs. The dramatic master suite boasts a breathtaking, black-tiled ensuite that culminates in an open-air shower backed by vividly striated white, green and charcoal butterflied marble.
Other bedrooms preserve the original Queenslander’s classic details and open onto a sweeping deck with an imaginative sky-blue ceiling. Timber casement shutters and aluminium bifold screens provide year-round liveability.
Downstairs, the glamourous kitchen features Brazilian stone, timber panelling and integrated appliances. Celebrating the family business, professional dry-aging meat-safes provide a unique focus. A spacious, thoughtfully designed butler’s pantry opens onto a courtyard herb garden constructed with bricks reclaimed from the house’s original fireplace.
The expansive wine room is an oenophile’s dream with recycled parquetry flooring imported from France, beautifully displayed vintages, a merlot-red ceiling and lighting fixtures recreated from old French wine casks.
A fully featured, acoustic-suppressed terraced home cinema keeps the family entertained.
A 2,700mm x 10,000mm stackable sliding door connects the large living area and outdoor terrace. A powder-coated steel structure reprising the same aluminium curves houses a mouth-watering outdoor kitchen with churraqueira, parrilla, sophisticated BBQ, range hood and island bench with integrated chopping block. Nearby, a stone-clad pizza oven and smoker unit ensure no-one goes hungry.
The 1.2m high, 17m long horizon pool, its catchment tank creatively reimagined as a kiddies’ pool, dominates the outdoor area. Fourteen individually system-controlled LED lights make it an attractive focus at any time. Beyond, the pool house with its resort-style bar reinterprets the house’s curves and lines in a more relaxed style and bright colours. Tiles flow in an uninterrupted line from the main house to the pool house, seamlessly connecting all spaces.
Fully integrated technology (lighting, air-conditioning, audio-visual, blinds and security) make the home feel effortless, belying the military-level forethought, planning and coordination it required.
Exceptional attention to detail has created harmony, balance and flow in this contemporary home that delivers on function, comfort, ambience and visual interest. Achieved over 18 months of unprecedented volatility following the Covid-19 pandemic, the result is an urban utopia for an entrepreneurial couple and their young adult children.
This luxury unit renovation transformed a tired 1970s Brisbane apartment into a sophisticated, light-filled home that rivals the finest new developments. Through intelligent space planning, bespoke design and premium finishes, Brisbane Boutique Builders reimagined the existing layout to create a spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence that delivers exceptional liveability, timeless style and lasting value.
Working within the constraints of the existing building, our team combined innovative design with exceptional craftsmanship to unlock the apartment's full potential. Discover how creative thinking, quality materials and meticulous attention to detail turned a dated apartment into a luxurious contemporary home.
This luxury unit renovation transformed a tired 1970s Brisbane apartment into a sophisticated, light-filled home that rivals the finest new developments. Originally planned as a cosmetic refurbishment, the project quickly evolved into a complete internal transformation as the apartment's true potential became evident.
Through intelligent space planning, bespoke design and premium finishes, Brisbane Boutique Builders reconfigured the layout to create a spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with an enclosed sunroom—all within the original footprint. Every design decision was carefully considered to improve liveability, maximise natural light and deliver timeless style while significantly increasing the property's long-term value.
Working within the structural constraints of an existing apartment required innovative thinking. With fixed drainage locations, immovable ceiling and floor heights, and no opportunity to relocate plumbing services, our team developed creative construction solutions that seamlessly integrated essential services into the design. Custom backlit ceiling bulkheads became striking architectural features, proving that technical limitations can inspire exceptional design.
Natural Taj Mahal stone, herringbone timber flooring, bespoke joinery and carefully selected finishes create a warm, elegant interior that balances luxury with everyday functionality. The result is a contemporary home that not only exceeds market expectations but showcases Brisbane Boutique Builders' expertise in delivering exceptional luxury unit renovations.
At Brisbane Boutique Builders, we specialise in luxury unit renovations in Brisbane, transforming dated apartments into sophisticated, contemporary homes. We thrive on projects that require creative thinking and innovative design, working within the constraints of existing buildings to achieve exceptional outcomes.
Renovating a unit requires a very different skill set to renovating a house. Body corporate requirements, shared building services, structural limitations and restricted access demand meticulous planning, technical expertise and intelligent construction solutions.
Our comprehensive renovation process is designed to make the experience as seamless as possible. This project was completed within a 22-week all-inclusive renovation schedule, covering everything from demolition and structural alterations through to bespoke joinery, premium finishes and final handover. Every renovation is carefully managed to minimise disruption while delivering an exceptional standard of workmanship and attention to detail.
Whether you're modernising your existing apartment or purchasing a property with renovation potential, our team combines thoughtful design, premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship to unlock the full potential of your home.
Every luxury unit renovation presents its own unique challenges, and this project was no exception.
Unlike a standalone home, there was no flexibility to alter the existing ceiling heights, floor levels or relocate plumbing services. With no opportunity to introduce additional floor penetrations, every design decision had to work within the existing building infrastructure.
Rather than allowing these constraints to limit the design, they became the inspiration for innovative solutions. Custom-designed bulkheads were carefully integrated to conceal essential services while creating a striking architectural feature. Every square metre was thoughtfully planned to maximise functionality, improve natural light and create a home that feels significantly larger and more luxurious than its original layout.
Every detail of this luxury unit renovation was carefully considered to maximise space, improve functionality and create an effortless living experience.
Premium cavity sliding doors with soft-close and spring-return mechanisms were installed throughout the apartment, eliminating traditional door swings to maximise usable floor space while delivering a smooth, premium user experience.
Custom joinery does more than provide storage—it helps define spaces. Carefully positioned cabinetry subtly separates living areas while significantly increasing storage capacity, maintaining clean lines and an open, uncluttered aesthetic.
The entire floor plan was reconfigured to improve circulation, maximise natural light and enhance everyday functionality. The result is a spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that feels considerably larger than its original footprint.
Luxury is defined by quality materials, thoughtful detailing and timeless design.
Natural Taj Mahal stone creates warmth and understated elegance throughout the home, complemented by herringbone timber flooring that introduces texture, character and sophistication.
The bathrooms feature seamless microcement finishes paired with Terrazzo-inspired porcelain tiles, delivering a contemporary, low-maintenance aesthetic. Frameless wet-room showers remove visual barriers, making each bathroom feel larger, brighter and easier to maintain, while generous face-level storage keeps benchtops clutter-free without compromising on style.
Bespoke joinery, designer lighting and carefully curated fixtures complete the home, with every material selected for its beauty, durability and longevity. The result is a cohesive, luxurious residence designed to be enjoyed for decades to come.
The untouched original 1980s unit consisting of 2 bed, 1 bath, small laundry and tandem open garage
Completed Luxury Unit Renovation Photos
Allow Doug to take you on a week by week vlog style update of the transformation of this luxury unit renovation.
Pre-Build: Join Doug as he takes you through the apartment before construction began.
Week 1: The Clayfield renovation got underway with the majority of the internal walls removed, the existing kitchen demolished, and demolition rubble carefully stacked and prepared for removal to the bins. The project was now ready for the next stage of construction.
Week 2: With the Clayfield renovation well underway, the site was tidied and all remaining demolition waste removed. Floor and ceiling preparations were completed, ready for the plumbers to commence their rough-in works.
Week 3: Demo phase complete We’ve officially wrapped up demolition at the Bonney Avenue Unit in Clayfield! Every outdated fixture, tile, and wall has been stripped back to make room for something truly special.
This is the exciting part... clearing the way for a complete transformation. With a clean slate now in place, we’re ready to start building the vision from the ground up.
Follow along to watch this space evolve into a stunning, modern home.
Week 4: Framing is underway at Bonney Avenue! With demolition behind us, the bones of this Clayfield unit are starting to take shape.
This stage sets the foundation for a fresh new layout that will include three large bedrooms, two luxury bathrooms, a full-size laundry, and a generous open-plan kitchen and living area.
It's always exciting to see the vision start to come to life! Keep an eye out for more updates as we build out this sophisticated, functional space.
Things are moving quickly at our Bonney Ave renovation in Clayfield! Framing is almost complete and we're set to kick off electrical works next week.
The new layout is really taking shape, and with the structure in place, we're ready to bring in the next layer of detail and functionality. This is where precision planning starts to pay off.
Stay tuned as we move into the next phase of the build!
Framing complete at Bonney Ave. With the bones of the build now in place, we’re moving into the next stage: internal sheeting starts next week.
This is where the transformation really starts to take shape, with defined rooms and a clear picture of how the final space will flow. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue bringing this Clayfield renovation to life.
Progress continues at Bonney Ave in Clayfield! Plastering and sheeting are now underway, marking a big step toward bringing this renovation to life. With framing behind us, we’re starting to see the internal layout take shape, always an exciting milestone on site!
Keep following along as we move closer to revealing the finished space.
Big steps forward on site! Windows and doors are now installed, and plastering and waterproofing are nearly complete.
The structure is really starting to take shape, and it won’t be long before the finishes start bringing everything to life.
This project is a great example of what’s possible when you involve your builder early. From layout to materials and sequencing, Brisbane Boutique Builders ensures the right decisions are made from day one.
Things are moving quickly onsite at our Clayfield renovation! The team has kicked off tiling throughout the unit, and plasterboard is now ready for sanding.
This stage brings us one step closer to seeing the interior details come to life. From layout to finishes, everything is coming together as planned.
Thinking of transforming your own space? Get in touch early! Working with your builder from the beginning ensures every detail aligns with your goals.
Things are moving quickly onsite at our Clayfield renovation! The team has kicked off tiling throughout the unit, and plasterboard is now ready for sanding.
This stage brings us one step closer to seeing the interior details come to life. From layout to finishes, everything is coming together as planned.
Thinking of transforming your own space? Get in touch early! Working with your builder from the beginning ensures every detail aligns with your goals.
Clayfield Renovation Progress. The Bonney Ave transformation is well on track! With plastering, tiling, and ceiling lighting now complete, the interiors are really starting to come together.
Next up: flooring installation begins next week .
Each milestone brings us closer to the final reveal, and we can’t wait to show you more in the weeks to come.
Clayfield Renovation Update! It’s been another productive week on site at Bonney Ave. Floor prep and micro cement have now been completed, setting the stage for the next exciting phase of the build.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be moving into cabinetry installation and finishing details, bringing this space one step closer to completion.
Progress continues at Bonney Ave, Clayfield. Micro cement works are now complete, and the stunning herringbone timber flooring is around 60% installed. Coming up next: cabinetry installation and completing the floors as we move into the finishing stages.
This transformation has been carefully planned from the outset. Another example of what’s possible when your builder is involved from the beginning. It’s how we ensure each detail lines up beautifully with the vision.
Clayfield Renovation Update! We’re getting close to the finish line at Bonney Ave! The herringbone timber flooring is now over 90% complete, bringing warmth and sophistication into the space.
Meanwhile, our team has begun installing cabinetry, setting the stage for the final fit-out in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as we continue transforming this unit into a modern, functional home with high-end finishes and smart design choices.
The transformation is picking up pace! With ceilings now completed and cabinetry installation 80% finished,this project is quickly coming together.
Just a little more to go before this space is ready to reveal its full potential.
Clayfield Renovation Update! ✨ The unit is really starting to shine... literally. With the LED strip lighting now installed, the space is coming to life even after dark. Cabinets are 90% complete, and the warm glow at night highlights the sleek, modern lines of the new layout beautifully.
Next up: painting and staining will kick off in the coming weeks as we move into the final stages of this full remodel.
Another milestone at the Bonney Ave renovation! Cabinet installation is now well underway, with around 90% already in. Painters are all finished. The team is pushing ahead with fit-off preparations and final detailing as we head into the final stages of the build.
We’re not far from the finish line now. Stay tuned for the next update!
Planning a renovation? The best results start with early planning. Bring Brisbane Boutique Builders on board from day one to ensure a seamless build. Call Doug on 0412 453 172 to get started.
Another big milestone ticked off at our Clayfield project, carpets are now in! While we're still waiting on the stone installation, the team is powering ahead with detailed finishing work across the home.
We’re entering the final stages of this transformation, and it’s all coming together beautifully.
Stay tuned for more updates as we head towards completion.
Clayfield Renovation Update! We’re into the final stretch. The team has been tidying up lighting details and positioning furniture, and the unit is really starting to come together.
With each finishing touch, this space is looking more polished, functional, and ready for handover. 🤝
Stay tuned! This one’s nearly ready to reveal
As the final stage of the clayfield unit renovation draws to a close, It seems like a good time for a few before and after shots
With each finishing touch, this space is looking more polished, functional, and ready for handover. 🤝
Stay tuned! This one’s nearly ready to reveal
From tired and outdated to modern, functional, and full of personality... every corner of this home tells a new story.
From custom cabinetry to reconfigured layouts and premium finishes, this project is all about elevating everyday living. A huge thanks to our team and collaborators who helped bring this space to life.
With this major milestone ticked off, we’re now just days away from announcing our open house.
With this major milestone ticked off, we’re now just days away from announcing our open house.
From demolition to detail, it’s been a huge transformation, and we can’t wait to share the finished space with you.
Want results like this for your own renovation? Bring Brisbane Boutique Builders on board from the start to get expert input on layout, design and buildability from day one.
