While mid-century design influences are evident, this very special Sydney home pays homage to Japanese design and the very specific concept of Shakkei, which centres around the idea of framed views. “The windows create a poetic connection to the rear,” says the home’s architect Ryan Ng of CplusC Architectural Workshop.
Home to a family of five, the house features a repeated circular motif that provides glimpses of the elements beyond. Where most houses looking to create a connection with the outdoors use large sliding glass doors, this house uses feature windows instead. “The circular windows were very intentional and they were designed to create a series of visual surprises,” says Ryan.
BackyardLounge room. Timber beams run from inside out to create a connection with the outdoors.
The home’s multi-level design is a response to the sloping nature of the block. Originally a federation home, the front of the house has been renovated with a new extension to the rear that features a kitchen, dining and living area that flows through to the outdoors.
“The old kitchen really needed overhauling as it was too small and too dark,” says Ryan. The new kitchen features a curved island bench clad in vertical timber strips with Spotted Gum timber on the floor. The dining area boasts a large round burnished concrete element that works to anchor the space.
Kitchen and dining. A large round burnished concrete element repeats the circular motif.
“This is also one of the key elements of the concept. Instead of creating a very separate three spaces (kitchen, dining, living) we wanted a more wholistic approach,” says Ryan. Slate tiles flow from the living room to the sun deck and outdoor dining area.
The master bedroom was expanded with the addition of an ensuite. A highlight of the home, the master features an openable round window that is surrounded by greenery on the exterior.
Master bedroom. The window frame acts as seating for young children.
The master bedroom features a gorgeous green wall on the exterior.
“We were looking for a cost-effective way to cover the existing brickwork,” says Ryan of the metal grating that clads the exterior of the master bedroom. Eventually, over time, it will become a very dense green wall with a round opening. “Almost like if you search for Totoro’s lair which was a green wall with a hole,” says Ryan, referencing another of the home’s influences – the cult Japanese animated fantasy film My Neighbour Totoro.
“The family that live in the home have a very close-knit relationship which is like the closeness that we see in the Totoro story,” says Ryan who adds that fairly lights give the outdoor space a very dreamy feel at night.
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The value of residential alterations and additions has risen to the highest level in more than four years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The ABS Building Approvals for August found that the value of alterations and additions to residential buildings was strong in August, up seven percent to $784 million, to be the highest level recorded since April 2016.
The stellar result is likely partly due to the HomeBuilder scheme, but also to an increase in the number of people undertaking renovations during the lockdown, according to a NSW renovation expert.
The Happy Renovator author, Werine Erasmus, says many Australians are choosing to use the downtime to start or finish renovation projects on their homes or investment properties.
“The problem with many renovators who attempt to complete projects in their ‘spare time’ is that they often don’t have any time to spare!” Werine says. “However, the lockdown created the ideal conditions for many people to restart or finish their renovation projects.”
Werine believes renovations will continue to grow in popularity in the months ahead as more people work from home or perhaps move to part-time employment.
However, renovating property is something that can be a steep, and expensive, learning curve if people don’t understand all of the necessary ins and outs, she says.
“While I advocate a part-time work and part-time renovation strategy, it’s vital that you don’t attempt a renovation or upgrade without educating yourself about what’s really involved,” Werine says.
“The reason why we see so many half-finished renovation projects come up for sale is that people spend too much and run out of money, or they make costly mistakes that they can’t afford to fix.”
“Renovation projects are nothing like what you see on reality television, but by educating yourself on the process, there is no reason why anyone can’t complete a renovation that achieves their goals and, most importantly, makes them happy.”
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Sitting on a diminutive 195 square metre block in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, this weatherboard workers’ cottage was renovated recently, with Gardiner Architects at the helm. The front section of the house encompassed two bedrooms, a hall and a lounge, while the rear was home to your typical weary lean-to.
“It was small, dark and pokey with low ceilings and no insulation. Along with being hot in summer and freezing in winter, the house, as it was, had no connection to the outside,” says architect Paul Gardiner who set about amending all of those things.
The home’s heritage front was restored; a 1970’s concrete porch was removed, and a bullnose added.
Restoration works were completed on the front heritage section, of the home, while a modern, open-plan extension was added at the back. The home was also opened up to the outdoors at the rear, and with the addition of a courtyard.
“Our approach is to find ways to allow for internal spaces to have adequate light, protection from hot afternoon sun and a visual connection to green spaces and the sky,” says Paul. So, while the home is nestled in a dense, urban area, it feels private and protected with the garden key to this feel.
Backyard
The modest home has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a European style laundry and a separate study.
Of the decision to restore the front of the home, Paul sees value in celebrating and preserving heritage buildings regardless of whether regulations require it or not. The practice, rather conveniently, also happens to be sustainable too.
“Keeping construction materials already in use has to be one of the most effective and sustainable things to do. Unfortunately, in Australia we don’t have adequate systems that see demolished materials sorted and sufficiently reused and recycled. So, we say, don’t knock it all down,” says Paul who retained as much as he could from the existing home.
Kitchen
Situated in the hallway, a European laundry is one of the home’s space saving techniques
And while the architect is keen to restore heritage features, he sees no value in creating a new home that is trying to look like an old one. “Rather than extending the same roofline or using the same materials for the new area of the house, we like to find a way to relate to the old without replicating a period aesthetic,” says Paul.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Sustainable practices underpin the home’s entire design; an aspect that was client driven. And while the owner didn’t fully understand what sustainable building practices were, she was keen for them to be incorporated in the home. Firstly, keeping the house on the small side was a sustainable choice, and the home was designed with passive solar design principles including a northern orientation that allowed for protection from the hot afternoon sun.
“We also chose to incorporate a concrete slab for thermal mass that helps maintain a temperate climate inside. Solar panels and water tanks assist to reduce the usage of mains electricity and water, which in turn reduces the home’s running costs,” says Paul.
Lounge
The home’s aesthetic choices were driven by the owner’s existing collection of old furniture and art; a mix of family heirlooms and pieces collected while travelling. “The pieces have a very warm and rich aesthetic,” says Paul. Timber flooring and joinery, as well as white paint, was used to complement to the collection.
“We weren’t seeking a minimalist approach, just a backdrop for all her beautiful belongings to sit within. The spaces have a comfortable feel while being open and full of natural light.”
Located on the Mornington Peninsula, this 1980’s rough diamond got the makeover treatment recently, courtesy of interior designer Tara Daniels of Seahaven Interiors. Nestled on a large bush block, 10 minutes from the ocean, the revamp highlights the home’s natural elements and features gorgeous pops of on-trend pink and green.
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge. The artwork is from Kimmy Hogan and chandeliers are from Beacon Lighting.
“About a year ago out clients asked us to transform their newly purchased 1980’s shack to a cosy coastal retreat. It was a pleasure to create the perfect holiday home for their extended family,” says Tara Daniels of the four-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-storey home.
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge
The home was in need of a lot of love; much of it was rotting but there were a couple of original features that had a lot of potential. While both needed painting, the timber wall panels, were one highlight together with the cathedral ceilings which have arguably become the highlight of the home.
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining
“The cathedral ceiling and beams are spectacular. One side of the house had the cathedral ceiling while the other was lower which felt quite claustrophobic,” says Tara who elected to paint the lower side and all the beams white (Taubmans ‘Miss Universe’), instantly opening up the space. “It focused attention on the gorgeous ceiling,” says Tara.
AFTER bedroom
AFTER bedroom. All of the home’s Abode Living bed linen was handmade in Melbourne.
“The timber wall paneling was already there and it’s a real show-stopper,” says Tara who painted it in Taubmans ‘Flint Smoke,’ a lovely soft green that echoes the bush landscape outside. Green features in the home’s kitchen too; a unique choice, it was one of the first that the clients made.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
“The colour that we chose for the kitchen cupboard was pointed out in our first consult. It jumped out at the clients as it’s very natural, earthy and reminds them of the bushland that surrounds the home,” says Tara of the cupboard fronts which are Laminex ‘Possum.’
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
A monumental transformation, Tara is understandably very proud of the entire project. “I loved transforming it to a warm, cosy and welcoming holiday home. The flooring, paint and window furnishings have given the space a new life.”
Noa's room is my favourite space in the home. So much joy!
Located in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Redfern, this terrace home was transformed recently under the talented eye of Rebecca Elms, of the fashion and homewares store Elms. The Surry Hills store is home to many fabulous brands (including Bonnie & Neil, Marmoset Found and Kip & Co) and Rebecca used many of them to style the renovation which is her family home.
Lounge room
Kitchen
“We wanted to create something homely, open, light-filled and that was great for entertaining,” says Rebecca who lives in the home with her husband David, their seven-year-old daughter Noa, and the family dog Maggie. The home is considered a new build, as all that remains of the original structure is the heritage listed street frontage. “Literally every wall was knocked down,” says Rebecca.
Open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen
And while it can be sad to see original features go, the demolition has certainly created a light-filled interior which isn’t something that could be said of most terrace houses. “One of my favourite design features is the amazing black steel doors that open the whole house up to the backyard. For an inner-city terrace, it’s so great to have so much light in what can be a dark and narrow space,” says Rebecca.
Bathroom
A highlight of the home, and the room that initially caught my eye on Instagram, the upstairs bathroom is gorgeous meld of black, white and blush pink herringbone marble tiles. “The tiles are one of my favourite things in the house,” says Rebecca who used Dulux Antique White USA throughout the home, for fear that a cooler white would be too stark. “The creaminess of that colour helped to keep the house homely and warm,” says Rebecca.
I love that Bonnie & Neil artwork in the master bedroom. VJ wall panels create texture in the new space.
As for her most beloved part of the home, Rebecca is rather chuffed with the layout; in particular the openness of the ground floor and the way that the kitchen leads out into the backyard to create an ideal entertaining spot. “I also love the honed granite in the kitchen and the marble tiles in the bathrooms because they’re timeless and really easy to care for.”
My favourite space in the home, Noa’s room is filled with so much joy!
Perched atop a hill in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill, and boasting enviable bay views, this gorgeous home was renovated recently with interior designer Kathryn Bamford at the helm. “A driven, entrepreneurial CEO lives there with his partner and two dogs,” says Kathryn of the home that is part of an old mansion that has been divided into four separate residences.
Kitchen. The custom-made velvet bar stools are from Cocolea
“Absolutely everything was gutted, removed and redone. Walls were removed and moved – the lot!” says Kathryn of the home that has been renovated with a modern Hamptons-inspired aesthetic and a punchy colour palette of bold blue and green. The builders were Integriti Projects.
Guest bedroom. The custom-made bedhead is from Heatherly Bedheads.
An elegant space, the lounge room features open shelving styled with an array of interesting books and objects. Dulux ‘Blue Lobelia’ adorns the fireplace, with a Samsung ‘The Frame’ television atop. “With such beautiful finishes we didn’t want a TV to detract from the space. This way the client can alternate the artwork and still use it as a TV. The shelves also have mirror backing, so when facing them, you can also watch the city skyline and bay,” says Kathryn.
Lounge room
Arguably two of the home’s most striking spaces, the bathrooms certainly deliver a luxe hotel vibe too; both have been furnished with statement feature walls created with Bisazza mosaic tiles. “Given they were from Italy they had a bit of lead time, and they weren’t cheap. We spent $29,000 just on tiles for the two bathrooms!” says Kathryn.
Main bathroom
Main bathroom
The luxe hotel feel continues in the guest suite where Bisazza mosaic tiles feature alongside a custom Heatherly Designs bedhead and chic pendant lights. The room also has double doors that lead to a private courtyard.
Guest suite
As for what she is most proud of in the renovation, Kathryn loved being able to deliver more storage and functionality without extending the property. “Also, seeing the transformation from the existing space and how much it’s changed has been great. It’s been both lightened and opened up.”
Photography: Michelle Young from Lantern Studios | Styling: Kathryn Bamford
The home's lounge and kitchen takes in the home's statement staircase
Nestled in the Sydney suburb of Paddington, this gorgeous home’s one-storey heritage façade hides a pretty incredible split-level renovation behind. Home to interior designer Nina Maya, who is using it to showcase her business (and act as a family abode), the house is called ‘The Glasshouse’ in a nod to the material that was integral to the transformation.
The home’s statement staircase sits behind the lounge and kitchen
Kitchen. That statement marble is super luxe.
Lack of windows and the subsequent lack of light is a common problem in heritage homes, and this one was no different. “In many ways, the remodel was dictated by its challenges, the biggest being its dark, narrow living area. The addition of the central staircase created a column that could be fully glazed on two sides to let in light, while saving floor space,” says Nina of the home’s statement feature.
The staircase
“I like to start any design with a clean base, so the ability to remove distracting frames from the view of the bamboo in our courtyard, was perfect,” says Nina who chose Stegbar’s Alumiere range for the home as it allows for larger expanses of glass with smaller frames.
The lounge room looks onto the courtyard
Fireplace details
Given the home’s dense urban location, privacy regulations were one of the main design obstacles to overcome. Nina specified architectural automated louvres, that obscure the interior from neighbouring properties, as a solution. This negated the need for a screen across the lower section of windows while creating a striking silhouette at the rear of the home.
The rear courtyard. Second storey automated louvres were a clever design solution to privacy concerns.
Powder room
Another innovative solution to privacy issues can be seen in the master ensuite, where an Alumiere fixed lite window with translucent glazing sits behind a double sink and mirrors. “A lot of elements of the Glasshouse are not as they seem. On first look, you would assume that the room is artificially lit, but when you look closer, you can see how the light changes with the clouds and time of day. It’s a small detail that adds unexpected interest to the room,” says Nina.
Master ensuite
A skylight lets light permeate the shower recess
“The Glasshouse gets its name from being more than just a house with a lot of windows, it has glass at its core and throughout, from the two-storey mirrors to the subtle shower screens and the translucent windows to the fully glazed lightwell. It’s amazing what you can do with glass when you work with the right options.”
Located on Runaway Bay, at the northern end of the Gold Coast, this typical 1980’s home was renovated recently with a fresh Scandi aesthetic. While many people would have knocked down the original home, the owner Sally Taylor and her builder husband saw nothing but potential.
BEFORE front elevation
AFTER front elevation
“We knew the home had a great foundation and good ‘bones’, so we had a fantastic base to work with, rather than sending everything off to landfill,” says Sally Taylor. From an environmental perspective, we love how the couple chose to give the original home an extensive makeover, rather than undertaking a new build.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
“Couples and families tend to renovate to keep costs down, whereas investors will do a new build to have more control on turnaround times, end finish, and to maximise the land space and financial return. You’d typically see a small brick home on a large block like this knocked down for a new duplex,” says Sally.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
With a penchant for the light and clean lines of Scandinavian design, Sally and her husband replaced all the original beige brick, paint and tiles with a cool neutral palette. The core of the home, the large open plan living area now overlooks a gorgeous alfresco entertaining area and pool.
BEFORE living
AFTER living
“It’s a beautiful area that opens onto a private deck and pool area where there are no adjoining neighbouring dwellings. You can really unwind and relax,” says Sally who insisted on finer details like soundproofing concrete Hebel fencing, acoustic windows and seals, and fully insulated walls and roof.
BEFORE backyard
AFTER backyard
The new master bedroom also looks onto the pool area via large sliding doors; the room also has a ceiling mounted drop-down television too. “It’s such a tranquil space – an absolute haven,” says Sally.
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom
And it seems that Sally has been bitten with the reno bug, having put the home on the market with a view to tackling the next project. “I’ve seen another property and I want to get stuck into another project down the road. Crazy, I know!”
The creation of interior designer Renee Watson, Brisbane’s Reno + Design show is back this April with over 100 designers, architects, stylists, home builders, trades, product suppliers and special guests from around the country gathering to celebrate all things home design and renovation.
Last year’s event
“Our homes need to be practical and suit our modern lifestyles, but they also need to feel good. You don’t need to spend a fortune or loads of time to make your home look and feel amazing. You just need a few creative ideas, a little inspiration and some good advice to help you on your way,” says Renee, of the show that was previously titled the Reno Home Show, but was changed to reflect the event’s design focus.
Reno + Design show creator Renee Watson. Image: Mark Turner
The two-day event will give visitors the chance to talk with exhibitors, gain practical experience at interactive workshops and styling sessions, and learn more about home renovation and design through panel discussions and Q&A events. “Our exhibitors and workshops will really help visitors to find a look they love along with practical and innovative solutions to help create their dream home,” says Renee.
Last year’s Conversation Zone
Our very own Jen Bishop will be part of the glittering line-up alongside design gurus including Charlie Albone of Better Homes and Gardens, Kerrie-Ann Jones of The Stylist, Amelia Lee of Undercover Architect, Lucy Glade-Wright of Hunting for George and interior design duo Zephyr and Stone. Jen’s looking forward to the long overdue visit to Brisbane and catching up with some of our Queensland readers!
Jen Bishop. Image: Jacqui Turk
New to the program this year is the Meeting Zone where visitors can talk directly with special guests, and the Micro Marketplace where they can pick up unique handmade and artisan homewares. They take place alongside the Conversation Zone, Workshop Zone, Styling Studio and Coffee Zone.
Reno + Design Show Brisbane Showgrounds April 4-5, 2020
A Melbourne CBD pied-à-terre for social entrepreneurs Anna and Robert Fleming (and their three grandchildren), this stunning residence was originally built in 1891 but underwent a renovation recently by interior designer Penny Del Castillo of In Design International. Rather than going down the well-trodden path of complete modernisation, Penny looked to the building’s history instead.
“Honouring the heritage listing and giving consideration to the tiny footprint, we elected to recreate the grandeur of the times, rather than align the design to a more urban look,” says Penny.
Lounge room
Located within the 1890’s Victorian Railway Headquarters building, the project began with the removal of an unsympathetic late 20th century renovation, before the whole home was redesigned.
Kitchen: The stone benches are by CDK
Dining: The wall lights are by Articolo
“The decoration and detail demonstrate the ongoing importance of paying homage to those creatives who came before us. We injected a a contemporary vision to reveal how the seamless integration of contemporary Australian design, within historic spaces, can be achieved to ultimately create a layered narrative. This project tells the story of a juxtaposition of past and present and its successful coexistence,” says Penny.
Bathroom
Bathroom: The bathroom tiles are from Earp Bros & Perrini
Given the owners’ three grandchildren are often living at the home too, improving its general liveability was a major part of the design brief. “This required practical solutions to the layout along with the selection of materials and finishes. It still needed to be sophisticated for when the grandchildren weren’t visiting, but practical when they were!” says Penny.
Children’s room
The living area was completely redesigned, totally transforming the way the family entertain and interact. “For such a tiny footprint, we have squeezed a lot into a small space,” says Penny. The room houses Great Dane sofas, Italian floorboards by Veneto Group and a pendant light by Christopher Boots.
Living room
The new master bedroom features Osbourne & Little wallpaper, Grazia & Co mirrors, an ECC pendant and a statement armoire and bedside tables by Zuster. Andrew Martin wallpaper stars in the kids’ bedroom alongside practical, custom joinery.
Master bedroom
That Zuster armoire is something else!
“Everyone who visits the property is truly in disbelief that the architectural details are not authentically original. It is assumed that we have uncovered what had been hidden for over a century!”
With its sweeping ocean views from almost every room, this home makes the utmost of its cliffside seaside location in Mount Martha, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Built in the 1960’s, its owners (a family of five) decided to renovate it recently with interior designer Jasmine McClelland at the helm.
“The 1960’s property was in mostly original condition, with lots of little rooms that didn’t make a lot of sense and were not meeting the needs of the family’s modern lifestyle,” says Jasmine McClelland who set about transforming the property into an open-plan, spacious home that celebrates its ocean backdrop with a palette of natural timber, blue and grey.
Lounge. What a view!
A standout feature of the renovation is the pool that sits at the entrance to the property. The pool was once an enclosed brick and glass room and is now an airy space with views all the way to the ocean. “The mid-century pool in the front portion of the house was absolute gold, the clients kept the existing form and gave it a facelift, with new tiling and landscaping,” says Jasmine.
Pool and outdoor shower
Opening out onto the pool, courtesy of a custom servery pivot tilt window, the expansive kitchen sits at the heart of the home and is the ultimate in entertaining. “Allowing the kitchen to extend into the outdoors was a key design component. It was through this detail that we were able to create a real sense of connection in the space, even though it is so large,” says Jasmine.
Kitchen. “Both day to day family meals, and fabulous summer parties are made so joyful in this space,” says Jasmine.
The space features generous work benches, ample amounts of storage and a walk-in pantry. The Arcade Tee tile from Perini is a design highlight (the features in the outdoor shower too). “It worked in perfectly with the palette and added a quirky touch to the otherwise clean lines in the kitchen. It is also a bit of a nod to the mid-century roots of the property,” says Jasmine.
The master bedroom is another standout space. Firstly there’s the bedroom details (geometric wallpaper and metallic pendant lights), but there’s also a fabulous his and hers ensuite with unique organic shaped mirrors and custom timber vanities. In addition, the view from the shower is pretty incredible too!
Master bedroom
For a sentimental touch, the cabinetry fronts in the master ensuite were made from recycled timber from the original home.
Shower
The nearby walk-in robe is a triumph of gorgeous design paired with fabulous functionality. “Cabinetry design is a real passion of mine. I love considering everything that my clients’ want and then taking it to the next level with what they imagine is possible for the space,” says Jasmine.
Walk-in robe
The glass fronted luxury wine cellar is another notable area and it’s one that Jasmine designed in what was once an unused space. “A low ceiling space, with no natural light, provided a unique opportunity to create a cellar,” says Jasmine of the room that features gorgeous exposed natural brick too.
Cellar
A downstairs kitchenette allows for a separate self-contained space on the lower ground floor
“All in all, the home is a sophisticated take on a beach style. We really wanted to hero the surrounding landscape, and feel we managed it.”
Today’s before and after project is brought to us by one of our readers, Ivy Huang, who despite her lack of formal design training has delivered something really special in her newly renovated Melbourne home. With a degree in engineering, and a background in project management, Ivy was experiencing something of a career crisis before quitting her full-time job to give her full attention to this amazing reno.
BEFORE front elevation
AFTER front elevation
Sitting on 400 square metres in the Melbourne suburb of Armadale, the Edwardian weatherboard abode needed some serious love when Ivy spotted it back in 2017. “The renovation combined my project management, technical and site experience but with a really awesome element of creativity,” says Ivy who lives in the home with her fiancée Adrian and their rescue dog, Queenie.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER ensuite
“I wanted to create a beautiful, functional family home that would also feel like we were on holidays all the time! I also love entertaining and we receive visitors often, so we really focussed on creating sanctuary-like spaces for bedrooms and bathrooms, and big open shared living areas with an emphasis on natural light and greenery. We leveraged every opportunity for indoor-outdoor spaces too,” says Ivy.
BEFORE backyard
AFTER backyard
Ivy specified all of the interiors herself and project managed the build using a variety of contractors. Prahran’s Karl Degering & Associates drew up floor plans and assisted with town planning and a variety of other aspects of the renovation, which cost over $600,000 in total and took eight months to complete.
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge
“As a professional project manager in business, I was always going to oversee the build myself. It was only when the project started that I realised how much I was loving the experience and started to think I could this as a full-time thing!” says Ivy who reached out to Buildher Collective! (which aims to support female builders) throughout the build. “It’s a great support network of women who are going through, or have been through similar frustrations, trying to succeed in what is a male-dominated industry,” says Ivy.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
As for the renovation, the home now boasts an eye-catching cathedral ceiling, in the kitchen/living room, that echoes the 3.5 metre ceiling heights found in the rest of the home. “That ceiling has got to be one of my favourite features of the house. Walking in, your eyes are immediately drawn upwards and it’s a ‘wow’ moment,” says Ivy of the space that is entirely glass on one side and opens out onto the lush backyard.
AFTER lounge
The main bathroom is another standout space; it features a black cast iron clawfoot bath centred on French doors that open onto a private jasmine-clad courtyard. “If the living room extension isn’t drama enough, we also wanted to do something a bit special for the main bathroom, which is the one used during the day and by dinner guests,” says Ivy.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom. The bath was sourced from Canterbury Sink and Tap.
Three of the home’s bedrooms also have ensuites and the fourth bedroom doubles as a second living area, depending on whether the couple have guests staying. And as for the home’s location, Ivy had always wanted to restore a heritage house in a blue-chip suburb and Armadale is one of her favourite parts of Melbourne. “It’s got boutique shops and cafes, gorgeous streetscapes and stunning period homes, all without being ostentatious, which I love,” says Ivy who has been seriously bitten by the reno bug and already has her eye on the next one.
Home to a young family, this renovation, in the northern suburbs of Sydney, piqued our interest this week – we love the way that interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy & H Creative has celebrated the character of the original 1912 home, rather than simply starting afresh. Ornate ceilings, stained glass windows and other Art Deco features pair seamlessly with an array of new furniture and styling pieces.
BEFORE sitting room
AFTER sitting room. What a transformation!
“The family wanted to blend their special antique pieces with modern pieces and styling to make the house feel fresh and modern and not stuffy as it did before,” says Joanne, who upgraded the home’s formal dining room and adjoining sitting room, which is used regularly to entertain a large extended family.
AFTER sitting room
First up, Joanne nixed the beige carpet and matching walls, replacing them with rich chocolate timber floors and soft grey paint (Dulux Dieskau half strength if you’re interested). Crisp new white ceilings and Harlequin wallpaper, sourced locally from Domestic Textiles, further complement the sitting room scene.
AFTER A west elm side table complements a Miss Amara rug and Freedom sofa
An eye-catching choice, the existing fireplace was revamped with a crisp marble chevron tile from Kaizen Tiles. “This made a massive difference to the sitting room space, completely lifting it,” says Joanne who sourced new mustard velvet armchairs from Adairs for the space too. “I love their shape and colour; they are my new favourite furniture piece,” says Joanne who combined them with a variety of other new pieces including a Freedom navy lounge, west elm coffee tables and a Miss Amara rug. “While we purchased lots of new things, we retained lots of existing antique pieces in both spaces too,” says Joanne.
New wallpaper and tiling freshened the fire place
A variety of upcycling projects feature throughout the renovation too; the dining chairs some of the more notable. They were repaired and reupholstered in a bird-print Warwick fabric that complements the kookaburras that feature in the nearby stained-glass windows. “Sarkis at SA Upholstery is a great local upholsterer who put lots of love into the restoration,” says Joanne.
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining. A west elm black and brass pendant light provides a modern twist on the traditional
A mix of old and new artworks combine for an interesting mix; the large bright piece above a marble console is a new one by Kate Mayes while the Campari print above the bar cart was the client’s own that was reframed. “The husband collects old vintage publications so was keen to bring something authentic into the space,” says Joanne.
Contemporary art choices, such as this one by Kate Mayes, has made a huge impact on the space
As for the end result, Joanne is incredibly pleased with the way that she managed to retain and respect as many original features while imbuing the space with modern touches, luxury and glamour.
“I love how both spaces are adjoining but completely different in mood – the dining room is very elegant, bright and airy while the sitting room is dark and moodier with luxurious wallpapered walls, navy and mustard tones and a more ‘cocktail’ feel. The husband, a music lover, adores the sitting room whilst the wife loves the dining room!”
A charitable project created for a Melbourne foster family, the latest norsuHOME renovation story is a real Christmas heart warmer. “We called this one ‘Project Seven’ because the family was expanding from five to seven members with the introduction of two permanent foster children,” says norsuHOME co-founder Kristy Sadlier.
The renovation included the addition of a new stand-alone room, or ‘tiny house’ at the back of the property, built by Soulspace Studios
The family’s first foster child, a boy, was put into the family’s care straight from birth, while his sister came along a bit later. “Suddenly his biological sister, aged eight, also needed a new safe home to live in, and being the generous people that they are, the family decided that they would provide a home for both children and therefore grow their family to seven; literally overnight!” says norsuHOME co-founder Nat Wheeler.
Growme Melbourne donated one of their gorgeous Moodyboards
And with three biological teenage boys already living under the roof, the rapid family expansion presented an urgent and pressing need to update the home’s kitchen (it was struggling with the mounting demands), while adding an extra bedroom and bathroom too.
The extra room/tiny home came in the form of a SoulSpace Studios’ standalone room – the first supplier to donate. “Having met the husband and wife duo Razz and Bec from Soulspace Studios earlier this year at the Tiny House Festival, Nat immediately contacted them to see if they’d partner on the project. To her joy, Soulspace jumped on board, generously donating their building services and expertise, and the fun began!” says Kristy.
After securing SoulSpace Studios, the norsuHOME team approached more of their contacts to donate time and materials to the project with donations including kitchen cabinetry from Zesta Kitchens, tiles from Perini Tiles, stone benchtops from CDK stone benchtops, flooring from Scandinavia Floors, Meir tapware, Dulux paint, Bowens timber, Nood.Co basins and Easycraft panelling to name a few.
“We’ve never experienced generosity on this level before. To see so many of our contacts instantly jump at the opportunity was truly humbling and shows that our beautiful community shares the same desire to help. This project perfectly demonstrated the impact that can be made when partnering collectively, and trust me, it has been huge for this family!” says Nat.
The tiny home houses the eldest of the biological sons – a practical decision that was made due to his age. “It made perfect sense for the eldest son to move into the home because he was able to get the privacy an 18-year-old needs. He was previously sharing the upstairs living quarters with the two foster children,” says Kristy who, with her team, enjoyed creating a Nordic inspired cabin for her young male client.
The Easycraft panels were painted in Dulux Monument Grey and Vivid White
The space has a masculine palette of charcoal, dusty blue, vivid white and tan. It also has an airy pitched roof, rustic oak wide board flooring, wall panels and natural linen drapery. The team also installed a built-in storage bench seat to create a separate lounge zone while the nearby bathroom combines speckled tiles with matte black tapware.
Bathroom mirror is from Thermogroup, basin from Nood Co, tapware from Meir Australia; tiles from Perini; towel from Aura Home; vanity is a repurposed Ethnicraft bedside table available at Norsu Interiors.
Shower tiles from Perini; tap ware and shower head from Meir
The renovation also included a complete overhaul of the home’s kitchen which included the addition of extra storage, workable cooking space and a giant island bench. “Did we mention this family also runs a family daycare business from home as well?!?” says Kristy who designed the space to be able to feed 12 people from the space daily.
Kitchen cabinetry by Zesta Kitchens, handles by Lo & Co, tiles by Perini, bench top by CDK stone
There’s Hamptons-style white cabinetry, blush fish-scale mosaic tiles, matte black tapware and stone benchtops. The design also included an update to the adjacent dining area – built-in banquette seating making the space much more functional.
Tap ware and sink from Meir
“There’s something so special about combining our passion for design with making a difference to those who need it most. When we first started this little business several years ago, Kristy and I never imagined we would be able to impact the lives of others in such a large capacity. This project has been a dream come true for our entire norsu team, and we are itching to do it all again soon, so watch this space very closely!” says Nat.
Dining. Built-in seating makes the space much more functional.
Photography: Kate Collingwood | Styling: Nat Wheeler and Lauren Bartlett-Bragg for Norsu Interiors
“No way was I going to install a white kitchen, I do that all too often for my clients! I knew, for my own home, that I wanted a colour, and l love blue,” says interior designer Anoushka Allum of Smartspace Interiors, when faced with her own home renovation in Sydney’s Wahroonga.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
The kitchen, complete with v-groove panelling in Dulux ‘Buoyant’ and timber handles, is a standout space – the soft mid tone is a fabulous alternative to classic navy. “In terms of trends this colour is neither on, nor off trend. I just love it so for me it will always be on trend! If you want to do something different you need to commit wholeheartedly. And you need to LOVE it,” says Anoushka.
AFTER dining
The space is complemented by nearby custom blue-toned banquette seating which makes a lovely eating nook for Anoushka and her husband. Original artworks by Queensland artist Hayley Wills complete the space.
AFTER entry. “I love this statement sideboard from Globe West,” says Anoushka. The artwork is from Urban Road.
Built in 1975, the original brick and weatherboard home had a distinct 1970’s vibe (which appealed to Anoushka), who then went about updating it for modern living. Aesthetic changes aside, the update also included increasing the size of the two bathrooms and the guest bedroom. “We sacrificed one of the original five bedrooms, but it has created much more usable spaces,” says Anoushka.
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge
AFTER lounge
The tranquil feel is a constant throughout the home, most notably in the master bedroom where the lovely pale green Dulux ‘Pattypan’ takes centre stage. “I get a lot of comments on that paint colour as well as the kitchen cabinet colour,” says Anoushka. The main bathroom wall tiles are also a treat – the pearl grey Gesso penny rounds impart subtle texture.
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom. The wall lights are from Lighting Collective.
“I’m proud of the peaceful flow throughout the home. Moving from one room to the next the textures, materials and colours all hang together well to create calm, balanced rooms. The kitchen is by far my favourite room. It’s a real feature in terms of design and it’s the heart of the home, as every kitchen should be.”
Located near Geelong, in Victoria’s Barwon Heads, this gorgeous light-filled home features a sensitive restoration of, and extension to, an existing weatherboard cottage. The house provides the perfect backdrop for its owners, a young couple and two energetic dogs, to entertain, while the materials palette perfectly reflects its coastal locale.
The front of the home
Open plan living, kitchen & dining
“The home strongly connects to the surrounding landscape through the use of natural timbers and large floor to ceiling windows and doors,” says architect Kim Irons of Irons McDuff Architecture, the firm that designed the project.
Dining
Painted entirely in Dulux Natural White, for a light fresh finish, it’s the timber that really shines in the home. “Victorian Ash timber floors and joinery elements add warmth and texture to the spaces,” says Kim.
As for the renovation’s design brief, many boxes had to be ticked – the owners wanted a contemporary, light, open feel that capitalised on the home’s northern orientation. They also wanted a generous sense of space (but not excessive) as well as a sense of separate spaces within the home’s open plan design.
Bathroom
Bathroom
“Also, the owners wanted to maintain the home’s relaxed coastal qualities and they wanted the capacity to entertain in multiple ways,” says Kim. The outside of the home has a particularly lovely feel – large glass doors open out onto decking and several old trees.
Backyard
The extension features timber cladding on the outside too – natural timbers, silver top ash and painted weatherboards tie in the original cottage.
Many original features remain in the front lounge of the original cottage
Located in Glebe, in Sydney’s Inner West, this 12-year-old three-bedroom townhouse got a makeover recently, with interior designer Ioanna Lennox at the helm. “The design brief was for a warm, contemporary home with touches of colour and restrained vibrancy,” says Ioanna. The owners, a professional couple, also wanted to maximise the space and make everyday living more functional and enjoyable.
BEFORE living room
AFTER living room
A focal point of the home, the living room was one of the first things to be overhauled; its large stepped hearth fireplace jutted out unnecessarily into the living space. “The hearth obstructed the placement of furniture and the flow around it had to be improved,” says Ioanna who removed the hearth and refurbished the fireplace, rendering it in a dark textured paint; Haymes Paint Artisan Collection in ‘brushed’ finish, ‘Sedimentary’ colour.
AFTER living room
“We chose a dark charcoal colour in a matt chalky finish to disguise the TV above the fireplace and draw the eye upwards. Once the fireplace wall was painted, the room instantly felt more balanced and symmetrical,” says Ioanna of the paint that has a soft, brushed-on, industrial effect.
Ioanna also helped the home’s art-loving owners select an original artwork by Sokquon Tran; it now hangs in the lounge room. “A glorious cloudscape greets you as you walk into the space,” says Ioanna.
The couple chose a new artwork by Sokquon Tran
The original blackbutt timber floors were sanded and repolished and the neutral paint was freshened up throughout the entire home too.
AFTER dining
In the living area, and throughout the rest of the home, soft furnishings and stylish lighting play a key role in creating a homely yet modern feel. “In terms of the furnishings, the owners didn’t want anything too loud, fussy or polarising. They like minimal clean lines, no pattern and they also have a penchant for designer lighting,” says Ioanna.
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
The couple’s home office was freshened up too – the addition of a stylish but functional bookcase makes the perfect spot to style a personalised shelfie. “I get to know my clients and their lifestyles so we can tell their individual stories,” says Ioanna.
BEFORE study
AFTER study
As for the another standout space, the compact master bedroom was completely overhauled too; a serene Monet-esque mural now hangs on the back wall. “It’s probably my favourite room in the house. The Feathr custom printed Monet Tree wall mural is a show-stopper and once we sourced it, the rest of the palette took its cues from that,” says Ioanna.
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom. What a gorgeous mural! New sheer silk curtains add opulence to the space
The mural is paired with dark furniture and the owner’s Asian heirloom chest which doubles as a bench and storage at the end of the bed. The bedroom also has double French doors that open out onto the street. “On sunny mornings you can peel the doors back and let the silk sheers softly sway in the sun.”
Given its utilitarian status, the laundry can often feel like a forgotten space inside a home – it’s frequently cluttered and tired. So, when we heard that Aussie reno royalty Naomi Findlay had overhauled her own laundry recently, naturally we were rather curious to see the results.
“In this laundry, there was over a decade of wear and tear with the old, noisy washer and dryer, rust marks on the benchtop and a huge sink inside a small cupboard that really limited the storage,” says Naomi who overhauled the space with a ‘fresh, functional and fabulous’ brief. We think she nailed it!
BEFORE
AFTER
Increased storage Increased storage was a key reno consideration for Naomi. “With this in mind, I put in a smaller sink and clever tapware. I also paid special attention to detail by installing an amazing fit-out inside the cupboards, to maximise the functionality of every bit of storage that I have in this room,” says Naomi.
BEFORE linen cupboard
AFTER The linen cupboard is so much more organised!
Luxe details In an effort to make the laundry feel a lot more luxurious, Naomi chose a deep, porcelain sink and paired it with a natural stone benchtop and splashback.
BEFORE sink
AFTER sink & splashback
“To make this space feel more bespoke, I made my very own hanging laundry baskets, installed DIY panelling on the walls and painted some stainless-steel drying racks a deep navy,” says Naomi who paired these details with a statement wallpaper to bring wow factor plus character and texture to the room.
AFTER Wallpaper, hanging baskets and a drying rack were all personalised, welcome additions to the space
Appliances “I do a lot of laundry, but I also know the impact running a washer and dryer can have on the environment and on my water and power bill,” says Naomi. To this end, Naomi chose efficient, quiet and eco-friendly appliances that stack to further optimise space.
Practical considerations “The air in a laundry can be damp, stale and dusty so I opted for a smart vent that stops the flow of air from building up and actually extracts it from the room. This sleek design proves exhaust fans don’t need to be an eye sore,” says Naomi.
AFTER A new streamlined vent
“Ultimately, I am so happy with how this laundry turned out. There is optimal storage space and it feels so good to be in here – even when doing the washing!”
BEFORE One last look!
AFTER
Want to see more of the details? Watch the latest episode of The Reno Show below.
