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Australian Chamber Orchestra violinist Maja Savnik at home in Caringbah South.

As a little girl growing up in Slovenia, Maja Savnik wanted to play the trumpet like her father and brother. But with two professional trumpeters in the family, her mother encouraged her to learn another instrument.

“I didn’t play the violin until I was I was seven, and I didn’t take it up seriously until I was almost 10,” Maja says.

Having performed with several orchestras in Slovenia, including the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, of which Beethoven is an honorary member, and toured with Sting on his Symphonicity tour, Maja applied to join the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO).

“It’s a very different beast to work in a chamber orchestra,” she says. “You’re much more exposed and a more active part of what is happening on stage.”

With no performances scheduled due to COVID-19, the ACO has been running a virtual Academy to mentor young musicians.

“It’s heartbreaking not to be able to perform on stage,” Maja says.

Having met her husband, Michael, during her trial period in Sydney almost five years ago, the couple have settled into Caringbah South.

“I love the Shire — and I especially love that I get woken up by kookaburras,” she says.

Words: Catherine Nikas-Boulos

Photos: Adam Yip

More: aco.com.au/acohomecasts

Who Australian Chamber Orchestra violinist Maja Savnik

Where Caringbah South with husband Michael Thoms

Favourite thing George is a British shorthair. We got him when I was feeling homesick and he’s quite the smartypants

Inspiration A mix of traditional Slovene pieces and modern Australian items

Home is I’m fortunate enough to have two homes in two different countries

MAJA’S FAVOURITE THINGS

Maja’s cat George is a British Shorthair.

Favourite thing George is a British shorthair. We got him when I was feeling a bit homesick and he’s quite the smartypants.

Cushions from Stalley Briton in Hobart inspired by native animals.

Stalley cushions: I was in a gallery in Hobart and came across a local artist who makes these hand-printed cushions. I bought some, then came home, found her online, and bought even more. It’s so important to support small business.

Maja likes to use this traditional Slovene coffee pot to make coffee.

Coffee pot: My best friend Nina gave me this. I still make coffee like I did in Slovenia. My husband doesn’t like it, but I still love it. The smell is beautiful and it reminds me of being in my parents’ home.

A Slovene witch to keep the evil spirits away.

Slovene witch: In Slovenia we believe if you hang the witch towards the door, she’ll chase away negative energy and make your home a happy place. We’re quite superstitious in Slovenia and this was a present from my mum.

This book of Slovene folk songs reminds Maja of visits to her grandmother’s house

Book of Slovene folk songs: Every weekend I would go to my grandmother’s house where she would sing folk songs and we would all join in. One of my aunts gave me this when I got married to remind me of my heritage and culture.

Maja’s husband Michael made this coffee table for her.

Coffee table made by Michael: This was the first piece of furniture I ever had in Australia. As I was preparing to move here after my trial period, Michael made it and when I landed it was waiting for me.

This Ida Rebula painting that was a gift from Maja’s parents.

Ida Rebula painting: My parents’ house is filled with paintings by this artist. My dad is also a bit of an amateur painter too. He gave me this painting as a gift when I was moving away and it’s something that will stay with me forever.

This blanket that was a wedding gift for Maja. It was made by women from Bosnia.

Blanket from Bosnia: We were married in Slovenia, and a friend noticed I was following (on social media) a group of women making blankets in Bosnia, and she bought this for us. She went to a lot of trouble to get it over the border.

Maja loves these crocheted doilies from her mum

Crocheted doilies: I grew up with these things all over the house, and I was always annoyed because you had to pick them up and dust them off when cleaning. I love them now. They’re from my mum and now they’re all over my house.

This pendant holds pictures of Maja’s husband Michael on one side and her parents on the other.

Pendant: My husband gave me this. One side has my parents and the other side is a photo of him, so wherever I go I have them in my heart. It’s very special.

The post At home with ACO violinist Maja Savnik appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A curved skylight in this house by architect Shaun Carter allows daylight and moonlight to stream into the centre of the house. More: carterwilliamson.com Picture: Katherine Lu

If you’ve ever spent time walking through the bush or felt the sand between your toes at the beach, you already understand the calming effects of connecting with nature.

But when we’re all being directed to stay at home, it can be hard to get the benefits.

This house at Mona Vale designed by architect Richard Cole is designed to let the sun penetrate deep into the living space. Picture: Simon Wood

Honorary Assoc Prof Mardie Townsend from the Faculty of Health at Deakin University says the jury is in on the advantages of interacting with nature.

“We know anecdotally that nature is good for us,” she says. “There is a lot of research that backs that up from Australia, Sweden, the UK and the US. Contact with nature reduces stress, provides relaxation and creates a sense of calm.”

The Iron Maiden house designed and built by C+C Architectural Workshop has a water feature running through it and internal garden space that can be enjoyed from the inside as well. Picture: Murray Fredericks

While she says the best results come from being in nature, it’s possible to achieve similar results by designing your spaces well.

Architect Richard Cole has designed houses for sites around Sydney blessed with views of the ocean or the bush. He says the need to connect with the natural world, even when we’re not in it, is primal.

“(American architect) Grant Hildebrand talks about the instinctual need of humans to be attracted to spaces that have natural shelter going back to the evolution of humans living in caves,” he says.

“It’s something I think about when starting with a concept. Often it will have an enclosing wall and a site that opens to a deck.”

The need to connect with nature is part of being human. From this house designed by architect Matt Elkan you can see the trees, hear the wind in the leaves and enjoy the smell of the bush. Picture: Clinton Weaver

High windows that let in the sun or natural elements that will create patterns on the floors or walls indoors, such as a mature tree, rippled glass or a water source allow us to feel a part of nature without being in it.

“Louvres can provide beautiful shadow effects when you open them up and the light bounces off them,” Cole says. “We often use water features in our work.

“If you have a fountain or an overflow, you get the sound of trickling water which can be soothing and can mask the sounds you don’t want, like traffic.”

Raked ceilings in this house by Richard Cole allow for highlight windows to let in light and to hear the sound of the rain on the roof during storms. Picture: John Fotiadis

Even the sound of rain on the roof can have a calming effect at a time when stress levels are high. Townsend says nature can be restorative.

“Getting in touch with nature can be used therapeutically for healing,” she says.

More: richardcolearchitecture.com.au

The post How to experience nature without leaving your home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

This house, dubbed the Tessellated House by architect Matt Elkan, has been designed with a series of private outdoor spaces. Picture: Clinton Weaver

When you have introvert and extrovert tendencies in the same family, creating a house that will keep everyone happy can be a challenge. Architect Matt Elkan says the original small cottage on this block in Newport was exposed to the street on two sides.

“The old house was in the middle of the block where every window faced out on to the boundary,” he says. “There was no good outdoor space and you couldn’t get light in.”

The kitchen is central to the floorplan on the ground floor. Picture: Clinton Weaver

The family of four were moving from a house at Bilgola Plateau to this site because it would provide a better connection to the shops and the beach for their teenagers.

“The old house is not far from where they live now but it was at the top of a steep plateau and it can feel really isolated,” Matt says. “It was a case of giving the kids what they needed.”

Matt designed a two-storey house in a U-shape. Three bedrooms are upstairs with an eastern wing for the parents and a western wing for the kids, linked by a study space.

Living spaces downstairs are deliberately articulated so they can be opened up or closed down as the need arises.

This room currently serves as a music room but could be converted into a self-contained flat. Picture: Clinton Weaver

“The ground floor has an area that could be blocked off as a self-contained flat if needed,” says Matt. “They wanted a bit of flexibility around this space.”

At the moment, it works as a music room but Elkan has future-proofed it, with plumbing concealed behind a desk for a possible kitchenette.

“There’s also a guest loo that could become part of the space and that room also has separate external access,” he says.

Treating the house and garden as a whole was key to the success of the project. Picture: Clinton Weaver

Treating the site as a whole, rather than a separate house and garden, was key to making the 550sq m block work. Views of treetops and plants can be enjoyed from most rooms, although lawn has been kept to a minimum.

Matt says council approval was straightforward, for good reason. “We were pretty keen to make sure we didn’t breach any council controls. It passed fairly easily — there were not any significant considerations.”

Large timber screens can be opened or closed, depending on the need for privacy. Picture: Clinton Weaver

Temperatures are moderated using louvred windows in summer and hydronic underfloor heating in winter. Best of all, the house works for everyone.

“The wife wanted connection to the street and the husband wanted space to be on his own,” Matt says.

“With the big screens at the front, she imagined pushing them back and seeing everyone as they passed. He imagined pulling them across and creating that sense of refuge.”

Everyone wins.

Pictures: Clinton Weaver

THE PROJECT

Owners

A couple with two teenage children

Architect

Matt Elkan, mattelkanarchitect.com.au

The brief

To replace a small cottage with a comfortable but thoughtfully designed three-bedroom house

The site

550sq m flat block in Newport

Design solution

A two-storey, U-shaped house with private outdoor space

How long did it take?

12 months to build

THE SOURCE

Builder Avalon Constructions, avalonconstructions.com

Landscape architect Lindy Hulton Larson, hultonlarson landscapearchitect.com Joinery Luke Geercke Cabinet Making, lukegeercke.com.au

Doors and windows Shamrock Joinery, shamrockjoinery.com.au

The post This introverted Newport house is designed for extroverts appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The outlook is spectacular from 56 Knightsbridge Parade East, Sovereign Islands.

Each morning when they wake, Muriel and Bill Jordan have a treasured ritual.

They raise the blinds in the master suite and enjoy a cup of tea as they take in the wide expanse of water lapping the shores of Brown Island and South Stradbroke Island.

“We can sit and watch the sun come up before we get out of bed,” Mrs Jordan said.

“We watch the boats going past but no one can see us.”

You can watch the sun rise each morning from the master suite.

Peaceful and private are the words Mrs Jordan chooses to describe life in the estate, which has been home for the past seven years.

“We can be sitting out the back with a cup of coffee and cake in the sun and half the time Bill will fall asleep it’s that quiet,” she said.

“The water can make you feel really relaxed.”

Sit in the sun and watch the boats cruise by.

Having moved to Australia from the UK in 1974, Mr Jordan built homes in Brisbane before moving to the Gold Coast to create their own piece of paradise.

In a nod to his Irish roots, the words ‘Caoga A Sé’ feature on the front of the home, which translates from Gaelic to the number ‘56’.

An internal lift makes it easy to access all four levels.

The considered four level design allows for open planing living on the ground floor, four spacious bedrooms on the first floor and a grand luxury master above.

The basement doubles as a party zone with
a bar and games lounge set up with pin ball machines, a darts board and billiard table
while a five-hole putting green is wisely positioned alongside the water.

“My grand son adores playing putt putt, but there are usually more balls in the water than on the green,” Mrs Jordan said.

The alfresco entertaining area is tucked away out of the weather.

The home has been the ideal entertainer over the years, hosting extended family and friends for special occasions.

“The house is big enough to entertain everybody without everybody getting under your feet,” Mrs Jordan said.

The alfresco area with built-in barbecue is a favoured space in any conditions.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s rail, hail or shine, you are so protected,” said Mrs Jordan.

“It is the best space to sit for breakfast, lunch or dinner. No wind or rain comes in.

“I love having people over for breakfast these days and that’s the best place for it.”

The pool runs alongside the Broadwater.

The Jordans hope to remain on Sovereign Island where security offers peace of mind.

“We don’t want to move really, but the house it too big for us now,” Mrs Jordan said.

“Sovereign Island really is unique and the people are lovely. The security is also great. We feel very safe here.”

Hanan Cawley, of Harcourts Coastal – Broadbeach, is taking offers over $5 million.

The post Island estate so peaceful you can fall asleep sitting up appeared first on realestate.com.au.

This renovated Queenslander at 27 Chaplain Ave, Manunda is on a rare, large inner-city block, walking distance to the CBD. Picture: Red M Photography

OPEN the classic French doors to enter this elegant Queenslander described as “one big living room”.

From the layout to the location of this three-bedroom home at 27 Chaplain Ave, Manunda, there is no box unticked when it comes to the lifestyle and liveability this post-war home offers.

Built in the ’50s, it is a rare inner-city property sitting on a large 809sq m block and offering the “outer-suburbs feel”, while just minutes from the CBD.

This renovated Queenslander at 27 Chaplain Ave, Manunda is on a rare, large inner-city block, walking distance to the CBD. Picture: Red M Photography

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Listed for $539,000 with iicon Portfolio Real Estate’s your Queenslander specialist Ken Higgins, the Hamptons-style property has been freshly renovated to feature modern inclusions while retaining elements of its build era.

“It’s had renovations right through including fresh paint inside and out,” Mr Higgins said.

“The bathroom and kitchen have been updated. They’ve used all quality European appliances and European fittings. And that goes through with all the fans and lighting as well – all good-quality finishes.”

This renovated Queenslander at 27 Chaplain Ave, Manunda has an updated bathroom and kitchen featuring quality European appliances. Picture: Red M Photography

The renovations also include updates to ensure the home meets cyclone safety standards but the most notable update was the inclusion of a new deck at the rear of the property.

“It gives a lovely view over the backyard and is great for alfresco dining and I find people just mainly live on their decks up here 24/7, all through the year,” Mr Higgins said.

“They don’t tend to use their dining rooms much if they don’t have to.”

Mr Higgins said the layout of the double-storey house was cleverly designed.

“It really is built for the tropics with the air flow through the home.

“You can open it right up and get cross breezes right through.

This renovated Queenslander at 27 Chaplain Ave, Manunda opens right up to feel like “one big living room.” Picture: Red M Photography

“There’s French doors at the front of the property which just open the whole house up so that the main living area flows out to the front patio. It just feels like one big living room.

“The owner’s loved the layout – having verandas at the front and the back. Enjoying coffee in the front veranda in the morning watching the sun come up and then doing dinner on the back deck with the sunset.”

Under the house there is a huge storage area, a workshop, an additional room and space for three cars.

“It’s a great place for all those things we cannot part with, and need to be secured out of the weather. The room would be ideal for a home office, teenager or guests.

“The previous owners loved living in that neighbourhood because around them was all owner-occupied. It’s a really good street and everyone looks after each other, old-school style.”

The established garden includes a selection of fruit trees, and tucked in the corner is a garden shed, ideal for storing gardening equipment. The yard is secure, with double opening gates on one side for vehicle access.

“It certainly ticks all the boxes, which is pretty hard to find these days where someone can move into a house and not need to do anything,” Mr Higgins said.

The post Manunda Queenslander’s layout ‘one big living room’ appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Zach Reid from First National Real Estate Atherton . PIC: Supplied

Land has been “flying off the shelves” in the Tablelands with real estate agents explaining sales were being driven by government money available to build a new home.

Zach Reid from First National Real Estate Atherton said that, during the past month, land sales had taken up “a reasonable percentage” of business with blocks that have been on the market for years suddenly snapped up.

“Land has traditionally been hard to sell in the Tablelands and, as an example, the blocks at Sunset Ridge have been available for two years with only one of the 11 sold in the first 18 months,” he said.

Land for sale. PIC: Darren Leigh Roberts

“In the past three months nine have sold – it would have been all 10 but a contract fell apart due to finance – and we’re seeing that in the other parts of Atherton. As the land is selling we’re seeing people pushing out further to take advantage of the grants.”

Mr Reid said it was predominantly first-home owners taking advantage of the $45,000 in grants established to stimulate local economies.

Aurelia Rogato from Rogato Real Estate said her Mareeba office “had never seen so much action” with land sales.

“There’s interest from first-home owners because receiving $45,000 from the government is unprecedented,” she said.

“The estates are very popular but even the five-acre blocks are getting a lot of ­interest, out in places like Rodeo Acres where the land starts at $219,000.”

The post Real estate: Land is ‘flying off the shelves’ on the Tablelands appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Buying site unseen is fast becoming the new norm for southern buyers.

Today’s border closure is unlikely to deter tech-savvy southern buyers who are turning to the Gold Coast as a safe haven during the COVID-19 crisis.

Agents across the city are reporting a surge in transactions made sight unseen by buyers interstate, with no signs of slowing down.

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The Gold Coast residential real estate sector continues to perform.

Ray White Surfers Paradise Group chief executive Andrew Bell said the COVID crisis had made the Gold Coast more attractive than ever.

“With the outbreaks in Melbourne and NSW doing all it can to keep things under control, for people down south the Gold Coast looks like a safe haven,” Mr Bell said.

While the border closure would restrict the ease of doing business, Mr Bell said buyers had become more confident making virtual transactions.

“The weekend before last we sold nine properties to people in Sydney, ACT and Melbourne who bought sight unseen,” he said.

“With the greater use of technology, people are not prevented from buying.”

Holiday accomodation provides may feel the pinch of fewer tourists travelling over the border. Photo Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Five of the nine parties bidding on a Broadbbeach apartment on Wednesday were from Sydney and Melbourne.

“Four of them hadn’t viewed the property personally but had done a private FaceTime inspection and were more than happy to proceed on that basis,” said Harcourts Coastal agent Tolemy Stevens.

“If you take that back to the numbers two or three months ago, the trend is doubling, if not tripling, with buyers in the marketplace happy to do business via FaceTime.”

Holiday rentals may feel the pinch

While the residential real estate sector is in a strong position to weather the border blockade, holiday accommodation providers may bear the brunt.

“Hospitality and holiday rentals will feel the majority of the impact,” said Andrew Henderson, Real Estate Industry of Queensland Gold Coast zone chair.

“If the border isn’t open for the next school holidays, it could really hurt a lot of operators.”

Mr Henderson said Queenslanders had “taken up the baton” to support tourism by booking holidays within the Sunshine State.

The weather, beaches and property prices are attractive to southern buyers. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

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