When builder and cattle producer James Nasser was asked to remove a historic white cedar tree from his parents property on the Atherton Tablelands he knew exactly what to do with the milled timber.
It features prominently in the award-winning home he and wife Deana have built on the outskirts of Atherton in Far North Queensland.
Very rarely do you find a home which combines a modern feel with rustic, country touches but that’s just what James, 39, and Deana, 42, have delivered on their 12-hectare home block.
Overlooking the rich red volcanic soils of some of the best agricultural land on the Atherton Tablelands, Claringbold House takes advantage of the landscape which surrounds it, with sweeping views across cropping and beef cattle paddocks.
Maximising environmental aspects was a conscious decision of the couple who lived in a shed on the property for five years while designing and building the home.
“We wanted to utilise the views and different aspects of the surrounding land,” James explained.
“We didn’t want an ultra modern look and wanted it to blend it with the landscape.
“It was important that it had a country feel which reflects our lifestyle,” Deana added.
“With three children, the house had be liveable – they need to enjoy it too.”
The house is seamlessly separated, with a parents retreat one end and bedrooms for the three Nasser boys – Alex, 10, Isaac, 8, and Lewis, 6 – on the other end.
On arrival, guests are welcomed by the bright yellow entrance door – an example of the individual touch that features in every part of the house.
The sleeping quarters are connected in the middle by the living area, an open airy space featuring a dining room, kitchen and lounge room.
Hanging proudly in the dining room is a unique painting of a trio of Droughtmaster cattle – in not-so-traditional colours – with the family's brand etched in, paying homage to their beef cattle operation.
A verandah runs along the rear of the house, made from Cooktown Ironwood, linking the inside and outside on sunny summer days when outside living is a must, even on the cool Atherton Tablelands.
From the use of timber, classic interior design and individual touches, the attention to detail is a true testament to the passion and commitment the couple put into the project.
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Timber features strongly in James and Deana Nasser’s award-winning Claringbold House with timber for the doors and architraves sourced from Ravenshoe.
“We chose timber in the home as we both like the finishes and warmth that it brings to the house,” Deana said.
“By using timber on the doors and floors it achieves that modern country feel that we were aiming for, along with durability.
“James in particular likes to work with timber and likes to incorporate this into his projects, as much as possible.”
The white cedar tree from the backyard of James’ parents property in Atherton is steeped in family history. The house belonged and was built by Alec Moses whose sister Amelia married Scondor Nasser, James’s great grandfather.
“It’s not well regarded as a timber but with some age it is dense and comes up nice,” James explained.
A white cedar feature wall takes pride of place in the main entrance and in the parent’s room, while the timber has also been used in the office and bathroom.
The home’s exposed timber trusses are made from spotted gum, which the couple chose for its colours and features, along with durability.
The Moroccan- themed bathroom is classic – a style Deana felt was important to protect it from dating - with the classic touch flowing throughout the home.
The kitchen presents a homely, country feel, a place where its evident much love goes into cooking and entertaining family and friends.
Like other elements of the home, it too has its unique feature – an island bench.
To the untrained eye, it looks no different to other benches but the secret is in the materials used – recycled packing crates and old railway spikes from Tolga.
The flooring throughout the home is polished concrete aggregate, sourced locally, for ease of maintenance. With its stunning features and classic use of natural materials, its little wonder Claringbold House was recognised at regional and state building awards.
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Despite forging a successful partnership as James Nasser Constructions for the past 12 years, James and Deana Nasser are not one to seek accolades.
But after several years of prompting by peers, the couple decided 2016 was the year to enter the highly competitive Master Builders Association building awards.
It proved a wise one, with Claringbold House winning the regional Best Individual Home $451,000 to $550,000 category at the awards in Cairns.
“I thought we would have no chance against the Balinese mansions of Port Douglas and Palm Cove,” James said. “It was certainly a surprise.”
They followed this by taking out the category at the state awards, against some of the state’s leading builders, finally receiving the recognition Nasser Constructions deserves.
“It’s a wonderful recognition,” Deana said.
“We pride ourselves on quality and perfection.
“James is very hands on and we work hard to build good rapport with our clients, many of which have become good friends of ours.”
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Life on the land well and truly runs through the veins of James and Deana Nasser.
Born in Brisbane, James spent his formative years on the 10,000 acre Brigalow Research Station, Theodore, Central Queensland, where his father ran the Department of Primary Industries station until they shifted north to the Atherton Tablelands at age 13.
Deana and her five sisters grew up on their parents’ dairyfarm at Upper Barron, ironically a short distance from Claringbold House.
The couple are honouring their early experiences of life on the land, with their cattle fattening operation steadily building.
They fatten Droughtmaster cattle – current herd numbers are around 200 – on the home block, an agisted 97 hectares nearby and a 48.5 ha block which they purchased at Malanda.
“They do well and fatten quicker,” James said. “We try to source local cattle so they don’t need to acclimatise.”
The Nassers have forged a successful marketing arrangement with a local meat wholesaler, and retailer Bones Knob Butchery at Tolga.
They send an average of eight head a fortnight, and have been for the past three years.
