Perched on a sloping corner block in the quiet suburb of Paddington, just a few kilometres from Brisbane's CBD, is this Mediterranean inspired master built home.
Characterised by its defining arches the Arcos Villa is a palatial tri-level five-bedroom, six-bathroom house, which also contains three living rooms, a swimming pool and garaging for eight vehicles.
The spectacular renovation, a collaboration between Joe Adsett Architects and Graya Construction, is home to Robert Gray, managing director of Graya, and his wife Meghan.
The couple bought the block, which is just over 800 square metres, with the aim of turning an old Queenslander into their own piece of Mediterranean-style luxury, while still maintaining an essence of its local character.
The result is the owners' forever home, a space built for entertaining which can also accommodate multi-generational family living.
"We wanted a home that felt like we were in an international hotel, a home away from home," Robert says.
"We wanted to achieve a Spanish villa feel with an Aussie twist."
Elegant archways, which are a hallmark of the Mediterranean, greet you at every angle from the exterior of Arcos - which is Spanish for arches.
Entry is through a dramatic and softly-lit arched tunnel, which leads to spacious free-flowing interior to exterior living, drenched in natural light.
The same subtle tones which characterise the exterior repeat throughout the residence, adding an immersive and homely feel to the palatial structure.
The living space, which includes both an elevated and sunken living room on either side of the kitchen, has full view of the sun-drenched courtyard, which is as much a part of the home as the interior.
"We wanted a space where we could easily entertain, a space that was connected to both the living area and outdoor entertaining area, yet comfortable for day-to-day use," Robert says.
There are multiple elements to the zone, which could easily accommodate up to 200 people without feeling cramped, from a 12- seat dining area, to the sunken living room, as well as a spa.
In designing the kitchen, the owners wanted to create a connected space that was suitable for multi-uses and which fitted seamlessly into the open plan layout of the home.
Luxe, yet minimal and user-friendly, the kitchen sits back quietly at the heart of the entertaining zone, making an unobtrusive statement while still continuing the story of the home through its subtle detail.
The rounded edges of the kitchen island echo the incredible statement curved staircase which connects two floors of the residence.
Light oak was chosen for the kitchen cabinetry to complements the organic feel and soft tones that feature throughout.
"Gaggenau ovens were recommended to us as they are highly regarded for their performance," Robert says.
"Additionally, their seamless design enhanced the feel of the kitchen, as they have a much more blended look rather than the focus being on the oven."
"This was the first house we have used Gaggenau ovens and have since used them in multiple houses.
"The functionality of the door makes for a much easier experience when using the oven."
"Seeing the whole house come together has been unlike any other home. As this is our forever home we spent a lot of time initially planning the design so it's great to see it all come together," Robert says.
