20 Stopford Street, Wooloowin, embraces Queenslander character features
Forget Hampton’s facades and the Palm Springs palette, one husband and wife duo have made it their mission to bring back the quintessential Queenslander.
While most builders and developers are turning Queenslanders into coastal clones,
Carrie and Anthony Fox have leaned on the traditional heritage and craftsmanship of the state icon.
The husband-and-wife duo behind Square Up Constructions bought 20 Stopford Street, Wooloowin, in December 2023 as their personal home.
20 Stopford Street, Wooloowin, is a long way from the coastal clones of recent years
“We didn’t want another house pretending to be from Long Island,” Carrie said.
“Queensland’s winning everything this year, so why aren’t we backing ourselves when it comes to design?
“It’s time to stop copying the Hamptons and start embracing what makes us, us.”
Inspired by the 1909 Queenslander that once stood on the site, the couple rebuilt from the ground up, carefully reintroducing traditional elements like high skirtings, fretwork and iron lace, while blending them with the functionality of a modern family layout.
“We wanted to celebrate the traditional Queenslander – the lacework, the
arches, the ceiling roses, the checkerboard tiles,” Carrie said.
“There is so much detail it is a nod to the original home and the homes that built this city.
“This was our home, so nothing was comprised or rushed.
“I spent hours obsessing over every detail – the shape of an arch, the tone and texture of the tiles.
“Every decision came back to one question: does it feel like Queensland?”
But it also features a bold design
Anthony Fox said their aim was to prove that “new” doesn’t have to mean “soulless.”
“So many new builds lose their charm trying to be something they’re not,” he said.
“We wanted this to feel warm, proud and timeless; a modern Queenslander that could have easily been here a hundred years ago but with the wow factor.”
The chic lounge features a fireplace
The couple describe their approach as building homes, not houses – spaces that combine luxury, intricate detail and genuine liveability.
Every home they design carries emotion, but this one was particularly special.
“Every detail in this home has been meticulously imagined and considered, built with the attention to detail you’d expect of a home of this calibre,” Anthony said.
“It’s deeply personal; we wanted it to feel both refined and real.”
And the kitchen boasts its own glass-fronted 132 bottle wine cellar
Now, as the couple prepare to move to acreage, their Wooloowin home has become a conversation starter and a quiet challenge to the direction of Brisbane design.
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Chic
Place Ascot agent Jill Wright-Wotton, who is marketing the home, said the project has resonated deeply with buyers seeking design and authenticity.
“Queenslanders have this incredible lifestyle that the rest of the country envies; the weather, the architecture, the way we live outdoors,” Ms Wright-Wotton said.
“This home captures that spirit perfectly. It proves that when we lean into who we are, we create something far more special than imitation ever could.”
The master suite is a treat
Behind its heritage-inspired façade, the home unfolds across two light-filled levels with open-plan living, a statement kitchen and butler’s pantry, seamless indoor-outdoor flow and a tranquil pool terrace framed by traditional detailing.
“This home proves that traditional doesn’t mean dated – it means timeless.
“Carrie and Anthony have reminded us how beautiful Brisbane can be when we build with pride in where we live.”
Upstairs, bedrooms and a second living area open onto a wraparound veranda that captures cooling breezes and leafy views – a design that embodies everything Queensland living was meant to be.
The property goes to auction at 2pm on November 1.
The rear of the property
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