Unlocking the Lockyer Valley: Where Style Meets Soul

If you’ve ever craved wide skies, rolling green, and neighbourhoods that feel choreographed (in the best possible way), Lockyer Valley is calling — not just for weekend trips, but for new beginnings.

Why Lockyer Valley is Having Its Moment

• From farm‑gated produce to boutique cafés: Picture filling your boot with cherry tomatoes from roadside stalls, then winding up at a lavender farm for tea. It’s the quiet luxury of authenticity.

  
  

• History meets fresh air: Picnic lawns at Spring Bluff Railway Station, retro jukebox energy at The Barn & Scotty’s Garage, heritage walks in Laidley - there’s a layer of story in every street.

Designing Community with Heart

From paddocks to perfectly planned homes. Clare Elizabeth from Clare Elizabeth Design was engaged to design the facades for an entire new estate in the Lockyer Valley, and we teamed up to bring those ideas to life in 3D. That’s where the magic of rendering + master planning comes in. When you build just one house, you get one story. When you build a whole estate, you get a symphony.

• Aesthetic continuity: With eight unique facade designs, each home sings its own tune - but they’re all in the same key.

  
  

• Curated materials + colour palettes: It’s not just what you see, but what you feel when you pull up the drive - warm tones, clean lines, material textures that invite touch.

  
  

• Future‑friendly visualisation: Renders don’t just show a home; they help buyers imagine BBQ's, morning coffees, kids running around on a quiet street. You can see the light in summer, the shade in winter.

  
  

• Privacy & spatial awareness: Designing from scratch lets you orient windows, garage access, landscaping so views are embraced and the “feeling of neighbours” is respectful, not invasive.

  
  

• Views and design in harmony: Nothing ruins a good view faster than a neighbouring house that clashes. Thoughtful planning ensures privacy, light, façade cohesion, and that satisfaction of living somewhere that looks deliberate.

Visit or Thrive: Lockyer Valley as Escape & Opportunity

Whether you’re considering a new home, a weekend escape, or an investment that’s more about lifestyle than leverage — Lockyer Valley offers both.

• Explore markets & farm gates on your Saturdays.

  
  

• Snap heritage shots at old railway stations and step into cafés where locals know your name.

  
  

• Let views at lookouts soothe the city itch.

  
  

• And for those drawn to living: imagine coming home to a place built with both big vision + everyday beauty.

Eight Facades, One Story

Scroll through the 3D renders of the facades of this new Lockyer Valley Estate - each one a mood, a moment. Each one part of a broader vision: where people can buy not just a house, but a lifestyle.

Designer | @clareelizabethdesign

3D Render | melodee g miller

When modern farmhouse dreams meet real-life renos.

Some homes don’t need a complete reinvention - just a little vision and a few smart design choices to bring them into a new era. This Queensland home already had charm: a lush tropical setting, strong two-storey structure, and a welcoming layout. The owner loved its personality but wanted to see what it might look like with a more modern, grounded, and slightly rustic edge.

Inspired by the Barndominium and Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, the client’s brief focused on mixing cladding, stone, and timber. But instead of diving straight into construction, we started with AI-generated concept images to explore the possibilities. These quick visuals gave the client an overview of different roof colours, material combos, and front-entry ideas. From there, we refined the design direction in photorealistic 3D renders, allowing every detail to be dialled in before committing.

Key Design Decisions

There were two main render versions developed for this project. The differences might seem subtle at first glance, but they played a huge role in final decision-making. One version featured Colorbond Monument, while the other used Colorbond Woodland Grey for the roof, roller doors, and window trims. We also compared driveway options - concrete vs. a French pattern paver and looked at two garage door styles, one with windows and one without.

The final renders also showcased:

• Stone cladding wrapping around the porch and framing the new timber entry

• Thick timber posts and gable detail to add architectural weight and warmth

• Vertical cladding to break up the existing brick and create a cleaner, more modern feel

• Garage door options to help the client visualise both functional and aesthetic changes

Every element was viewed in realistic lighting with the original tropical landscaping retained, ensuring the design updates felt true to the home’s natural environment.

Why 3D Rendering Was So Valuable

When it comes to major exterior changes, especially with materials that have strong visual impact like stone, cladding, and roof colours seeing the full picture makes all the difference. For this homeowner, rendering meant no second-guessing: they could confidently explore their ideas, compare options, and tweak details before lifting a finger onsite.

Considering a facade refresh of your own?

3D renders are a great way to bring your ideas to life and make clear, confident decisions, especially when working with multiple material options or colour schemes.

3D Render | melodee g miller

Working with homeowners, designers, and builders across Australia

Where calm meets quiet luxury.

There’s something undeniably special about a home that balances clean, modern design with warmth and comfort. This Mount Waverley project, designed by Carissa Young from CMY Design, does just that - bringing calm, natural tones together with a touch of quiet luxury to create a kitchen and living space that feels timeless yet inviting.

A Modern Hub with Heart

The design brief was clear: create a family hub that’s not only functional but also effortlessly beautiful. At the heart of the space sits a monolithic travertine island, striking in its simplicity yet grounded in natural texture. Around it, layers of warm oak, soft whites, and subtle stone details flow seamlessly, giving the kitchen its calm yet luxe personality.

The Fireplace Connection

Anchoring the adjoining living space is a slimline fireplace wall, tiled floor-to-ceiling in travertine-inspired mosaic. This detail adds depth and warmth, visually tying the kitchen and living areas together. The effect? A space that feels open and connected, while still offering cosy corners to gather and unwind.

Why 3D Rendering Was Key

For this project, 3D rendering played an essential role. It allowed the clients to see the interplay of finishes, how the cabinetry tones complemented the stone, how the pale timber flooring softened the palette, and how the fireplace feature created balance across the open-plan layout. With so many layers and textures at play, being able to visualise the end result gave the confidence needed to move forward with every selection.

Calm, Luxe, and Built to Last

The end result is more than just a kitchen and fireplace - it’s a lifestyle setting. One where every detail, from integrated storage to soft LED lighting, has been carefully considered to support both daily living and those moments when the family simply wants to slow down and enjoy their home.

Designer | CMY Design

3D Render | melodee g miller