6 Suvla Street, Balmoral.

The Folkhouse at Balmoral is an award-winning collaboration between the acclaimed Shaun Lockyer Architects and JBS Builders. What was a pre-war character house has only recently been transformed into a spacious four-bedroom contemporary residence, which has a seamless connection between the indoor living areas and outdoor entertaining spaces. The 'soul' of the original house has been maintained during an extension to the rear using weatherboards and brick. Engaging the old and new has been managed with integrity by reconditioning, rather than replacing, existing features including ceiling castings and traditional stained glass doors and windows. Steeply pitched gable roofs create an impressive void and allow for a bridge which binds the original cottage with the new contemporary piece of architecture. This is a family home where cooking and relaxing with friends is encouraged, and where children are just as comfortably accommodated as empty nesters. An extraordinary level of consideration went into the design to make the daily routines of its residents as simple as possible. At the heart of the floorplan is a kitchen which is both beautifully styled and extremely practical. Everything is within reach, from the self-cleaning Miele combi-steam oven to the induction cooktop and gas wok. A butler's pantry, or second smaller kitchen, has a Zip HydroTap and ample workspace to whip up a bake without lifting blenders or mixers. Simple inclusions such as a foldout ironing board and hanging rails over the laundry basin make all the difference. Only a few steps away is an outdoor living area covered with an operable roof structure, a lovely garden and a glass-enclosed swimming pool. The brick base of the raised cottage is integrated into the exterior paving and fireplace pillar, as well being used to create internal feature walls and seating. Soak up the sunshine on the window seat and listen to the fish pond fountain, which is framed by a frangipani creeper. Watch the sunsets over Brisbane's CBD and the distant mountains, as cool breezes flow through this hillside home. Fall asleep in the main bedroom with the lights of Hamilton twinkling across the Brisbane River, or gaze up at the stars from the freestanding bathtub in the gorgeous ensuite. There is an intrinsic link between the constructed environment and nature, creating a modern Queenslander atmosphere. The Folkhouse is just 5km to the CBD and within walking distance of the popular Oxford St precinct, Brisbane River and public transport links including a CityCat terminal. Suvla St is also within a 700m radius of Bulimba State School and Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic School. The Folkhouse was Shaun Lockyer Architects' entry in the 2016 Brisbane Open House, and won JBS Constructions the 2017 Master Builders Housing & Construction Award Home Renovations $576,000 - $1,000,000. FEATURES * Award-winning recently completed renovation, Shaun Lockyer Architects, JBS Builders * Balmoral Hill location with views over Brisbane's CBD, walk to Oxford St and CityCat * Double-storey family home, practical layout, indoor/outdoor connection, cooling airflow * Four large bedrooms including private main suite, 3.5 bathrooms, secure double garage * Central kitchen, Miele appliances, induction cooking, butler's pantry, Zip HydroTap * Multiple interior living areas, large covered outdoor entertaining space with opening louvered roof and fire place, ample storage * Exposed brick, lawn, swimming pool, fish pond, workshop, ducted air conditioning, internet network and security hardwired, tigershark pool cleaner, automatic landscape water including lawns, waterfall to pool * Original ceiling castings, traditional stained glass windows * Pitched gable roofs, dramatic void, linking bridge, built-in seating * Walk to Bulimba State School and Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic School