Tag: house tour

Pro surfer Sally Fitzgibbons’ stunning luxury costal abode

Post author By Hugo Alley
Post date November 16, 2022
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Professional surfer and Olympian Sally Fitzgibbons has opened the doors to her stunning beachside home. Perched on the Gerroa headland in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Highline House has been inspired by nature and drawing from the land, sea and wildlife, it was a project from the heart for Sally, who was born and bred in Gerroa, and worked closely with her builder and friend, Simon Rees, to reimagine the original weatherboard beach shack.

“This project became my anchor and why I love the Gerroa headland so dearly,” says Sally. “My builder Simon and I love nature so much and let it guide us through the project, capturing the essence and beauty of the view through many portals, viewing windows, balcony spaces and garden settings.”

The resulting home is the height of Australian coastal living, a luxe and stylish revival that manages to retain the relaxed appeal of a traditional Australian beach shack. It encompasses a main bedroom and ensuite, guest bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/dining, a separate living room, study nook, private gym and swimming pool.

From the exterior, the home exudes a rustic charm, with its white painted walls and exquisitely landscaped gardens. It works to connect with the ocean at every opportunity through both the exterior and interior, with stepping stones, pathways, a large entertaining balcony and a myriad of viewing windows.

As much as Highline House has been designed to capitalise on its stunning views, through the interior, it also works to both capture and resist the fluctuating light of the day. Each room has been finished with premium Luxaflex blinds and curtains.

“The range at Luxaflex window coverings was so perfect to suit my project,” says Sally. “Just like the moods in the weather we experience at Gerroa, the rooms in this house spoke to a mix of Luxaflex treatments. The result allows you to enjoy every room in the house and to make it your own private sanctuary.”

Flooded in natural light, the kitchen dining area features a peaked floor-to-ceiling window, offering the main ocean view from the interior. To complete the aesthetic feel of the space, while also working to filter the heavy afternoon sun, the windows have been finished with Luxaflex Pirouette Shadings. Sally chose a linen fabric in the colourway, “Chamomile”, to harness and beautifully diffuse the light to preference.

Continuing the aesthetic appeal, further windows throughout the interior have been framed by the soft flowing effect of sheer curtains from the Luxaflex Abre range in the colour Froth, adding a further dimension to the elegant finish of the home. The sheer curtains were chosen to complement the Luxaflex Duette Shades which have been used in the front entryway and guest bedroom.

As well as adding an element of style, Luxaflex Duette Shades play an important role in helping moderate the temperature in a bedroom. Their unique honeycomb structure traps air, which provides a layer of insulation to help keep the interior warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The balance of light control, privacy and energy-efficient qualities they provide make them perfect for an Australian beach home.

Recognising that a dark and peaceful space for rest and relaxation is essential in a home that’s abundant in light, Sally selected the Luxaflex Duette shades in a blockout fabric for the main bedroom, which has become a hero moment in her day. “One of my favourite parts of the design, is waking up in the master bedroom, rolling over and pressing the remote control for the shades, and watching them rise,” Sally says. “It slowly reveals the pool, the ocean, the beach and then the mountains, the magic of this just gets me every single time.”

Throughout the interior, texture and neutral tones are layered through a repeated colour palette of white, black, and grey, the neutrality is enhanced vividly by the surrounding blues of the ocean. A scattering of natural elements such as timber and green foliage also works to connect the abundant views of nature.

“Highline House has a unique feel, with quirks that sometimes make it hard to give it one particular style,” says Sally. “It is a beach house when categorised, but it’s also open to interpretation, from the visuals of the salt-crusted rock platforms becoming the inspiration for the kitchen benchtops, to the warmth of the Baltic pine flooring and the history of the restored pieces from the original house, including the front door, oars and lifesaving ring.”

The deck area leading directly from the living room provides a perfect viewing point where one can sit and relax. Assisting again with impeccable form and function is the Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning, enabling balcony privacy whilst offering advanced sun protection and airflow for a more enjoyable entertaining space. Sally says, “It’s comforting to know that the awning can handle the diverse and unforgiving weather conditions we experience here, as they are engineered, and tested in Australia to handle such conditions.”

For Sally, the most satisfying aspect of the renovation is being able to enjoy the success of the finished project. “It is so satisfying to reach the end of the road and sit on the balcony with family and friends, looking out over my favourite view in the whole world.”

Shop Luxaflex window fashions here

House tour: A Sydney interior designer’s breezy renovation

Architecturally designed and built in 1972, this Sydney riverside home is located in the leafy Sydney suburb of Riverview. It’s…

Considered patterned curtains? Neale Whitaker shares his tips

Window treatments might be the last thing you think about when designing your space but they’re the finishing touch that…

Tags beach house, blinds and curtains, design, house tour, renovation, Sally Fitzgibbons

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A modern interpretation of the Arts & Craft movement in London

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 11, 2022
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Inspired by the classic Arts & Crafts style homes in the surrounding neighbourhood, this unique North London home is full of drama from the street. It features a triple height entrance hall and six-metre-tall angular windows that provide a theatrical connection between inside and out. Designed by Robert Hirschfield Architects, the home is a modern interpretation of the classic Arts & Craft style and accordingly features vertical hanging tiles, roofs with low eaves, dormer windows, gable roofs and part-rendered elevations.

The front door sits within a recessed entrance porch and is wrapped in the same dark linear brick as the front elevation. The sloping nature of the site also inspired the decision to split the home into half-stories, connected by a helical staircase and series of bridge links.

“One of the biggest challenges of the project was rationalising the significant change in level from the street to the rear garden. A key design decision made early on was to partially excavate the front section of the site, so that the entrance point was lowered to alleviate the access problems created by the existing steep driveway. This also allowed the building itself to be stepped in section, responding to the topography of the site without increasing the height of the roof-line,” says architect Robert Hirschfield.

The large central staircase allows for vertical circulation through the building (linking the front and back levels at various landings), and the bridges offer different views through the home. Contrasting materials provide further visual interest.

The interior palette utilises a mix of whites, greys and softer tones, with textures chosen to contrast with the external roughness of dark brick against white render. Brighter tones are found in some areas in the form of colourful light fittings and paint colours in the entrance, powder room and master ensuite.

The newly configured property provides the family with an arrangement suited to open plan living, while still offering key spaces that can be closed off for privacy. “The house has been described by the client as being a comfortable, luxury family home while accomplishing the brief in an elegant, mature and intelligent way.”

Photography: Philip Vile

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Tall and skinny London terrace given award winning new design

While we mostly feature Australian homes on the site, you know I can’t resist a look at what’s happening around…

London home gets ‘light touch’ reno with fabulous results

While we love to celebrate Australian interiors, occasionally an international home comes along that we simply must share. Located in…

Tags architecture, house tour, interior design, interiors, london

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Worker’s cottage dramatically transformed by architect couple

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date September 8, 2022
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We’ve featured the work of Melbourne’s Splinter Society before and today’s home has many of the same details that we’ve come to associate with the architectural practice – black timber, rough-cut stone and a real sense of drama. Set on a corner in East Brunswick, the original worker’s cottage has been coined Host House given its has many fabulous entertaining spaces.

Spectacular indoor/outdoor living — The home offers spectacular indoor/outdoor living

Purchased by the owners of Splinter Society, Asha Nicholas and Chris Stanley, when they were fresh out of university, Host House has evolved over the many years since. The house has expanded to accommodate a growing family with the original white cottage extruded to accommodate a pitched roof that runs from the front to the back of the site behind the original façade.

The home’s existing white structures and new black elements are emphasised by the vertical repetition that features across the project. Outside, asymmetrical application of the exterior timber makes for a super interesting elevation.

Moody and luxe, the rich material palette includes sustainable rough sawn timbers, textured plasters, formed concrete and rough-cut stone. These textures are paired with natural and artificial light that are designed to wash the surfaces, capture the light and create dynamic and changing effects throughout the day.

Downstairs, one of the home’s bedrooms sits adjacent to the open plan living spaces that flow through to a pergola in the back garden. Drawing on travel influences, the living spaces are designed for the couple to host friends and family – the large kitchen has a distinct restaurant feel with its reflective surfaces, stone bench top and illuminated bar.

Nearby, the primary bathroom on the ground floor has a unique soaker bath recessed into the floor and surrounded by indoor and outdoor gardens.

Upstairs, a loft-style master bedroom (with ensuite) and additional bedroom complete the series of spaces.

Photography: Sharyn Cairns

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Is the all-white kitchen dead? Yes, says Nickolas Gurtler

A significant part of the home improvement industry, there are many renovation companies dedicated solely to kitchen upgrades. And while…

Black kitchen inspired by Paris adds charm to Bondi apartment

Last week saw interior designer Nickolas Gurtler declare the all-white kitchen dead and today’s kitchen provides further proof. Located in…

Tags design, house tour, interior design, interiors, melbourne, real reno, renovating, renovation

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Bali vibes: interior designer helps create retreat-like home

Post author By Aleksa Rokvic
Post date November 5, 2021
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Jane and Ash’s vision for their dream home was simple – create a fresh, family home inspired by coastal blue elements and their travels to Bali with natural weave details. And interior designer Tara Daniels of Oliv Studios embraced the challenge!

The project, which took over a year to complete, is located in the suburb of Hemmant. Once merely bushland approximately 20 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, it is now an up-and-coming inner-city gem. Built by Burbank Homes, the house is tucked away down a long driveway, enhancing its retreat vibe.

With their second child on the way, Jane and Ash handed Tara the reigns. She selected all the hard materials, including the gorgeous Cosentino Calacatta stone benchtop, plus the window furnishings and a comprehensive joinery and furniture package. This gave the couple the confidence to move in with style and settle straight into life as a family of four.

Tara’s business mantra revolves around helping clients create luxurious and beautiful spaces where they can escape the chaos of everyday life. She aims to embrace the comforts of the home to create spaces where they can reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.

Thanks to Covid lockdowns, the hardest part was securing joiners and handling extended delivery timeframes to complete the project. But they got there in the end!

See more work by Oliv Studios.

Photography: Cieran Murphy

New Hunter Valley display homes reflect regional popularity

Sponsored by Metricon Homes There’s no denying that regional areas have seen a boost in popularity since the emergence of COVID-19. Coupled with the housing affordability crisis in the capital…

Tags bali, coastal interiors, house tour

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London home gets ‘light touch’ reno with fabulous results

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 3, 2021
No Comments on London home gets ‘light touch’ reno with fabulous results

While we love to celebrate Australian interiors, occasionally an international home comes along that we simply must share. Located in West London, this eclectic Edwardian semi-detached home renovation was designed by the architectural firm Red Deer and draws on Mykonos, Mexico and Copenhagen for inspiration. The result makes for a wonderful rather heady mix indeed.

Owned by Eric Jafari from Birch hotel and hospitality group Edyn and barrister Olivia-Faith Dobbie, the couple purchased the home in January 2021 during the pandemic. Many spaces received a light touch refresh in areas that functioned well, whilst other rooms repurposed reclaimed materials and made the most of timeless existing features.

Living and kitchen — Living room and kitchen

The home’s bold colour palette is what stands out at first; inspired by the home’s existing leadlight, a trio of teal, coral and mustard lead the charge. Elsewhere, pale white hues and raw kermes oak shelves combine with Aztec geometric prints and Danish cane-woven furniture in moments of neutral pause.

The five-bedroom property consists of a ground-floor open-plan living and kitchen area, rear dining room, and front reception room.

A standout space, the front reception room had its original, more traditional, look replaced with dark teal walls and cabinetry. The colour is continued on the floor where teal painted floorboards really give the space a dramatic, immersive feel.

Both powder rooms are brimming with drama courtesy of dark red painted walls offset by brass hardware and marble splashbacks.

The first-floor features four bedrooms (one with an ensuite), a family bathroom and separate toilet. The second floor is in the eaves of the house and features a fifth bedroom and a large home gym.

The bedrooms were overhauled by exposing the floorboards and continuing the paint theme on the walls. The lovely bathroom was upgraded with a unique circular bath and shower, marble sink, brass hardware and pink floor tiles.

“In many ways the house is unrecognisable from January 2021, showing that light-touch interior design can have enormous impact on a home whilst reducing unnecessary waste. The walls of this home were a canvas for the couple to paint their colourful lives on working with the layout that existed,” says Red Deer.

Outside, the lovely garden features cane furniture and a plant wall that was inspired by a Mykonos villa that the home’s owners stayed in

Photography Inna Kostukovsky

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Period features maximised in timeless London home

This recently refurbished, warm and welcoming three storey London townhouse has made Jen a little homesick and, with its gorgeous period details, I can totally see why. Located in the…

Tags architecture, home tour, house tour, interior design, interiors, london, renovating, renovation

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Unlikely hero: Red marble fireplace stars in Melbourne reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 11, 2021
1 Comment on Unlikely hero: Red marble fireplace stars in Melbourne reno

Located in Melbourne’s leafy Brighton East, this Tudor Revival residence underwent a pretty incredible makeover recently under the watchful eye of architect Alexandra Ansari. While the home had beautiful original brickwork, it had last been renovated in the 90’s and the south-facing living room was dark, the kitchen outdated, the laundry lacked storage and the bathrooms were badly designed.

BEFORE kitchen. Check out the location of the cooktop on the left?!

“Nearly every room was either outdated or not functional for a family,” says Alexandra who, instead of carrying out a whole-house renovation, updated key parts of the house with a budget of $210,000. “Almost half of that amount was spent on cabinetry and stone and the figure doesn’t include furniture, curtains or appliances,” says Alexandra.

When it came to a design brief, the home’s owners requested a contemporary look and a grey colour palette with the notable exception of the living room which found inspiration in an unlikely spot – the original red marble fireplace. “The owners loved the old fireplace’s warmth but hated its appearance. However, the red marble set the perfect mood for the renovation and inspired the colour scheme,” says Alexandra.

“In the kitchen, we removed the bar as this was only used for storage. This opened up the space and allowed us to create a bigger, more centralised kitchen,” says Alexandra. Joinery and furniture were then used to establish distinct areas for formal dining, relaxing and family time in the kitchen.

AFTER A Beeline Design dining table is highlight of the space — AFTER Dining

When it came to furnishing the property, the biggest splurge was on a series of pieces by Melbourne-based Beeline Design including a dining table, side table and coffee table. “Their Ridge tables are timeless and beautiful and the different tabletops really complement the home’s design,” says Alexandra.

The laundry overhaul centred around clean finishes and clever storage solutions such as doors that retract back inside their housings. “Skylight shafts were opened up and replaced with more modern alternatives to flood light and fresh air into previously dark spaces,” says Alexandra of a technique that was employed throughout the home.

As for the overall look and feel of the renovation? “Both the materials and colour palette make each space look much bigger, lighter and therefore more comfortable to spend time in.”

Photos: Michelle Williams

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Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY

Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part…

Tags before and after, house tour, interior design, interior designer, interview, melbourne, melbourne interior designer, real reno, real renovation, reno addict, renovation

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Melbourne terrace renovation shows monochrome need not be boring

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 7, 2021
No Comments on Melbourne terrace renovation shows monochrome need not be boring

Proving that a monochrome scheme needn’t be boring, layers of white on white create a tranquil, stylish feel in this new Melbourne terrace renovation by Pierce Widera. Located in Fitroy, the mid-Victorian terrace house had already undergone two major renovations in its lifetime but none more beautifully restrained, or functional, than this one.

The home’s first reno saw a kitchen, dining, bathroom and first-floor bedroom added while the second attempt added another bedroom upstairs. “But this was done without resolving a properly flowing floorplan. The first imperative was to focus on improving the floorplan to increase the functionality of the spaces,” says Pierce Widera designer and co-founder Amy Pierce.

While the heart of the heart of the home, the home’s former kitchen was a dark space so increasing the penetration of light was key. To do this, the kitchen splashback window was extended, and an additional vertical sliding window was added to bring the outside in.

“The kitchen is light and bright, seamlessly flowing into the dining area, providing ample storage and hiding a functional laundry behind a hidden door. The high ceiling adds a sense of grandeur to the space, accentuated further by the two new pendants above the kitchen island and dining table,” says co-founder and designer Nat Widera.

There is a nod to mid-century modern design in the home’s general materiality but also with the owners’ furniture and artworks. The minimal master bedroom is a study in white – simple white joinery is accented by minimal white handles and complementary paint. Full height wardrobes wrap around an existing fireplace flue and act as the entrance into the ensuite bathroom also.

Luxurious and functional, the bathrooms are a highlight, and they feature a rich terrazzo floor, soft grey wall tiles and fresh white stone and timber for the vanity units. “The project outcome is both respectful to the heritage of the house and the needs of its inhabitants.”

Photography: Derek Swalwell | Styling: Natalie James

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Every possible luxury provided in these opulent Melbourne apartments

No expense has been spared for luxury residence Fifty Two Black, which will be located in Brighton’s famed Church Street precinct. Over 10 different types of marble will be used…

Tags house tour, interior design, pierce widera, real reno, renovation, terrace renovation

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Interior designer renovates house in three weeks while 7 months pregnant!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 3, 2021
No Comments on Interior designer renovates house in three weeks while 7 months pregnant!

AFTER master bedroom. Stephanie picked up that bedhead of Marketplace for just $50!

With her first child on the way, Sydney interior designer Stephanie Ferrara was keen to move from her two-bedroom apartment into her first family home. The search was proving rather fruitless until an Inner West heritage home hit the market and Stephanie and her husband were the successful bidders at auction. “We purchased the home while I was six months pregnant, had a settlement period of a month and so had to renovate really quickly,” says Stephanie. She transformed the place with just $20,000 within three weeks and while working full time (not to mention seven months pregnant). Phew!

The circa 1918 home needed a fair bit of work; not only was a lot of the timber falling apart but the home’s palette was an ‘interesting’ mix of aqua blue, brown, turquoise and pink. “We bought the ugliest house on the street and all of the neighbours said that they couldn’t wait to see what we would do with it,” says Stephanie who wanted to carry out a relatively small renovation in the short term with a view to extending the home in a few years’ time.

The renovation began outside where the home’s existing rainbow of paint colours was replaced with a much more sophisticated palette of Dulux shades including Domino, Monument, Teahouse and Shale Grey. “I chose Dulux Pink Dust for the front door because I’m having a girl,” says Stephanie. The home’s original iron fence was replaced with a picket fence also, greatly increasing the home’s street appeal.

Almost a quarter of the renovation budget was spent on the floors where the blue and pink carpet was ripped up to reveal perfect timber boards underneath. A dark stain was applied and then all of the walls were patched up and repainted in Dulux Lexicon Quarter and Vivid White. “I wanted it to be quite monochrome and clean because it’s my signature style and the home also needed to be modernised to some degree,” says Stephanie.

BEFORE dining — BEFORE “The dining room was like an aquarium with its turquoise walls,” says Stephanie.

The kitchen underwent a small renovation (the doors and the bench top were replaced) while the bathrooms were overhauled with the Dulux Renovation range of tile primer and paint. “A client of mine did it as a temporary five-year fix and we’ve done the same thing. The bathroom is nice and fresh now,” says Stephanie.

AFTER Tile paint freshened up the bathroom.

The house also needed to be completely rewired and while it was carried out by an electrician, Stephanie’s brother-in-law was on hand too. “He is an apprentice electrician, so he helped with all of the more minor jobs. Even I got involved with chasing cables up the wall,” says Stephanie.

AFTER bedroom — AFTER nursery. Lovely Wall Co decals adorn the far wall.

“We moved in when I was eight months pregnant and I’m about to have the baby this month. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. It was obviously worth it but I’m exhausted!” says Stephanie.

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90s house renovation renders it unrecognisable. In a good way!

This 1980’s Italian mansion extreme makeover is one of our most popular posts so when we heard the team behind it had recently completed another project, we were keen to…

Tags before and after, house tour, interior design, interior designer, real reno, reno addict, renovation, styling, sydney

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Edwardian beauty revealed under 80s facade and saved from demolition

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 29, 2021
4 Comments on Edwardian beauty revealed under 80s facade and saved from demolition

After working in oncology for 15 years, Yolanda Aarons decided to scratch the renovation itch via a home in Melbourne’s Northcote that was in dire need of an overhaul. After considering demolition, Yolanda decided to peel back the ugly 1980s era layers and found a gem of an original 1920’s Edwardian home underneath, along with photos and original period features that had been hidden for decades.

“One by one the old wire cut mission brown bricks were removed, to reveal the original rough cast render which has since been restored based upon historical photos obtained through council and state library archives, ancestry and the local photographer David Wadelton,” says Yolanda.

Sitting on a generous 650 square metre parcel of land, with a north-facing rear and city skyline views, the home clearly had potential. “Unfortunately, the house had fallen into a state of disrepair after decades of neglect and thus was earmarked for demolition. However, once we began the strip out, we unearthed details that had been hidden for years, including photos, original period features and the original façade,” says Yolanda, a member of The BuildHer Collective.

At that point, the demolition plans were put on hold, Yolanda consulted the architect Michael Bellemo, and the decision was made to undertake a full restoration with his assistance and local builder, The Building Chapter.

“The brief was to create a family home, with a hint of drama,” says Yolanda. This was relatively easy to achieve at the front of the home, where the original ceilings were 3.3 metres high and this part of the home now houses the master bedroom (complete with original ornamental fireplace), adjoining ensuite and walk-in robe.

There are two other bedrooms in the original part of the house as well as a main bathroom. “All the bedrooms are painted in sage greens and earthy whites which make the space feel calm and authentic. They’re made to look very different to most homes that aren’t brave enough to explore colour,” says Yolanda who used the organic green tone Dulux Sicily Sea, to great effect.

The sense of drama continues at the rear of the home where the new extension sports a raked ceiling that reaches nine metres in height above the dining table. The nearby kitchen is one of the standout spaces courtesy of its curved marble island bench, with brass shadow line detail. That gorgeous element is echoed throughout the custom joinery and nearby hallway architrave.

Another unique feature, the staircase appears to ‘float’ in mid-air. “I love it because not only does the fluted glass balustrade allow light to penetrate into the middle of the house from the large window above, but the folded white steel makes it look more like a sculpture than a staircase,” says Yolanda.

The second floor was designed as a self-contained suite, with a study area, bathroom, second living area and bedroom that captures the city skyline. “There’s a mezzanine style opening that overlooks a large void to the dining area below and has spectacular views to the landscaped garden, pool and park to the rear of the property,” says Yolanda.

Triangular in shape, the bespoke pool was the biggest splurge of the renovation. “We intentionally limited the size as we didn’t want it to overwhelm the outdoor space but mirrored the triangular shape of the house to give it an extra special design element,” says Yolanda.

Yolanda is proud that she took the road less travelled, and decided to restore the property, instead of undertaking a standard knockdown and rebuild. “I often think to myself what would have happened to this house, if I wasn’t in charge of its future. Would it have been knocked down to be replaced by a subdivision? Would it have remained as an eyesore in its less than ideal mission brown state for years to come?”

Photography: SpaceCraft

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Art Deco renovation the perfect blend of old and new for family living

When a builder builds their dream home, it’s always interesting to take a peek inside. Nestled within trees in a picturesque part of Wollongong, this home was originally built in…

Tags architecture, before and after, house tour, interior design, interview, melbourne, real reno, real renovation, reno addict, renovation

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Fun and colour abound in artist Kate Jansen’s Mornington home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 22, 2021
1 Comment on Fun and colour abound in artist Kate Jansen’s Mornington home

Looking at her bright, mid-century inspired style, it seems that childhood trips to Palm Springs have made quite the impression on Melbourne-based artist and stylist Kate Jansen. “I would accompany my father to the US on business trips and was lucky enough to visit Palm Springs each time we went. It was then that my obsession began!” says Kate who grey up in the south of England but emigrated to Australia seven years ago with her Aussie husband. She now lives in a gorgeous Mornington Peninsula home that is a fabulous complement to her art; and today we’re lucky enough to take a tour.

Built in 1971, the home was a typical red brick number but that changed when Kate, Deon and their children Jazmin and Jake arrived! “When we moved in, I painted the whole house white, including the floorboards and the brickwork outside,” says Kate who also retiled the three bathrooms and kitchen and changed the window dressings and carpet before injecting her own colourful aesthetic.

One of Kate’s artworks in the home’s alfresco area

“What sold this house to me was the high-pitched timber ceiling in the main living area – it’s definitely a talking point as you walk through the bright yellow front door! I also had two very large paper lantern pendant lights installed,” says Kate. The garden was transformed too with the installation of artificial grass, an outdoor shower and a plethora of palms and large tropical leaf plants.

With a graphic artistic style, it’s no surprise to hear that Kate originally trained as an illustrator before working in London for many years; the city where she has spent most of her life. Kate works with acrylic paint and her pieces typically include swimming pools, patio furniture and palm trees; all designed to create a holiday vibe.

“It’s fun, bold and colourful with a Palm Springs meets Miami feel and an Aussie sort of a twist. I use lots of pinks and always palm trees as I have an obsession with them! I get inspiration from all around – I live near the beach and I see the ocean every day too.”

Stairs — Kate painted these stair risers with Annie Sloan chalk paint

Kate works from home inside a pink studio that was once the home’s garage before she had the roller door replaced with a window and French doors installed. Of her art, how does she view her current success? “I have held a paintbrush for as long as I can remember and I love to hear that my art makes people happy!”

Photography: Sally Goodall

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Artist Joan Blond’s work filled with joie de vivre

Yarra Valley artist Joan Blond raised three young children and worked in the corporate world for 21 years (as an executive PA for a partner of a law firm), before…

Tags art, artist, house tour, interview, Kate jensen, real reno, reno addict

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Art Deco Melbourne home renovation a colourful blend of old and new

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 1, 2021
2 Comments on Art Deco Melbourne home renovation a colourful blend of old and new

“I’m a maximalist at heart and colour makes me smile,” says Erin Katsavos whose Art Deco Melbourne home renovation caught our eye recently, in large part due to its beautiful colour and materials palette. We were even more enthralled to learn that the scheme was derived from a couple of Jai Vasicek art prints that were purchased before house plans had even been drawn up.

“Everything was chosen from the colours in the paintings. In fact, I think it’s a great idea to buy your art first and then design your house around it!” says Erin.

Art Deco house — The kitchen/dining features one of the Jai Vasicek prints that inspired the home’s colour scheme

The home’s original Art Deco exterior is painted with Dulux ‘Ecology Green’ which sets the tone for the scene that lies within – a gorgeous mix of dark and mint green accented by blush and pops of brass.

“It was so nice to work with Erin’s bold colour choices. They have great impact and impart a real sense of warmth and earthiness throughout the home,” says Amanda Oakley of Mayché, the company responsible for the home’s build.

Located in Ascot Vale, and originally built in 1930, it was the period features that drew Erin to the home when she purchased it a few years ago with her husband Evri. Working closely with Anna Todorova of Instyle Design, the team at Mayché were tasked with retaining as many original features as possible at the front of the home while creating a contemporary extension at the rear, complete with open plan living and ample light.

A vital part of the renovation was the creation of a parent’s retreat at the front of the home – hugely necessary given Erin and Evri are parents to a blended family that includes six children. “We had to include a parent’s retreat so that they could have some down time! We incorporated this at the front of house which is connected to the master bedroom via double doors,” says Amanda.

The timber in the front four original rooms remains untouched – it wasn’t sanded and varnished as part of the renovation. “It gives the rooms such a warm feeling as it has all the little nicks that show it has lived a life. I love that we have kept so many of the home’s original features because many of these houses are painted white to give them that popular Scandi feel,” says Erin.

The home has five bedrooms, three living areas and a fabulous outdoor space that includes a pool and entertaining area. “We love the open plan kitchen, dining and living area with its large sliders and windows that look onto the pool and alfresco. The burnished concrete floor finish in here looks absolutely amazing too,” says Amanda.

And with that many family members you can imagine that practical storage solutions are a must. “One of my favourite design elements is the custom bench seat joinery in the living room as I can hide the toys away in the hidden seat,” says Erin.

One of the children’s bedrooms features an upcycled IKEA bunk bed that Erin spray painted before covering it, and the nearby wall, in decals from Blonde Noir. “They have great designs. Those decals are so awesome because you can peel them off, leaving nothing behind, and move them making them great for rentals too. You can even store and reuse them later,” says Erin.

Children's bathroom — Children’s bathroom

The bathrooms are a visual treat complete with Meir tapware, Concrete Nation basins, terrazzo and mirrors from West Elm. “The biggest splurge was the real terrazzo in the adult bathroom which I chose just for me. As you can imagine, with so many children, there’s not a lot that I get to do for me these days!” says Erin.

Overall, it’s the seamless flow from old to new that really stands out in this home. “I remember doing a walk-through during construction with Evri and he was amazed at how it all flowed and thought it was hard to remember where the old house ended and the extension started. We focus on attention to detail and this home showcases it perfectly,” says Amanda.

Photography: Dylan James | Styling: Karin Bochnik

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With the latest season of The Block having just kicked off, and its focus being squarely on period design, suddenly everyone is talking heritage details again. One of our favourite…

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Redfern terraces combined to create one light-filled home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 29, 2020
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Just like retro design staples velvet, classical archways and terracotta have been subject to modern updates over the past few years, the heavily wooded interior appears to be back on the interiors scene – with a decidely modern spin. Today’s house tour, located in Sydney’s inner-city Redfern, was designed by the talented team at Marra + Yeh architects who have produced a striking, modern take on the ‘Paddington terrace.’

Home to a family of five, the project saw two adjoining terraces combined to create one large contemporary, flexible family home where timber is centre stage. Built as a ‘forever home,’ the design was developed to suit an ever-evolving and ageing family over the next 20 years.

“The clients, a family of five, had lived in one of these terraces for nearly a decade and had strong attachment to the local community. However, with limited scope for expansion they found the house unable to accommodate their needs as the family grew. Fortuitously, an adjoining terrace came on the market for the first time in 36 years, setting off a process of rebuilding and consolidation,” says Carol Merra, Director of Marra + Yeh Architects.

Front elevation — The unassuming terrace front belies the beauty and originality inside

Far from the dark and claustrophobic spaces that one often associates with terrace houses, the rear extension has a unique atrium feature in the centre of the building. A pane of retractable glass ensures fresh air and light can always be welcomed in.

“The way the house is calibrated to climate and environment is not normally found in terrace houses. This is showcased through the internal atrium and sky window, which opens the heart of the house to the outdoors and connects occupants to nature on a daily basis,” says Carol.

“The house is part of an ongoing search to create climate-responsive buildings that address living in the age of climate change. The operable sky-window is the primary climate-adaptability element, a double glazed, argon-filled assembly complemented by an external sunshade resulting in multiple open/close combinations, enabling the occupants to modify the building in a dynamic response to prevailing conditions,” says Carol.

With sustainability a top priority for the home’s owners, Big River Group’s locally sourced, sustainable Spotted Gum plywood proved a natural fit. “The family took great care in all materials being used for the creation of their dream home and this is why the use of Big River products was crucial in the process,” says Carol.

An ambitious project, Carol is very satisfied with the overall result. “I am proud of achieving both the aesthetic and sustainability ambitions of the brief within the constraints of an existing building in a heritage context.”

Photography: Brett Boardman

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Tasmanian underwater forest home to rare timbers

When Hydrowood co-founder Andrew Morgan first flew over Tasmania’s Pieman Lake in 2012, little did he know about the treasures that lay beneath. “Everybody knew there were trees in Lake…

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Chic Perth heritage reno a seamless blend of old & new

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 23, 2020
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The heritage home with modern extension, is certainly not a new concept. Regardless of heritage restrictions, many a run-down old character home has been lovingly restored simply because people love a slice of history. From solid timber floors to architraves and unique ceiling details, a heritage home simply cannot be recreated with modern materials; something that was acknowledged by the designers of this gorgeous renovation, located in the well-heeled Perth suburb of Mosman Park.

Owned by the co-founders of Perth architectural and design company MAEK, the home was renovated recently after being purchased in less than ideal condition. And while it would have been easier (and possibly cheaper) to demolish the original abode and build something new, the MAEK team couldn’t resist the old bones of the once-loved home.

“It seemed sad to let the historical façade, and the history within it, disappear from the streetscape. People have since remarked at how glad they are that we had kept the old house and brought it back to life. We feel like we’ve made a real contribution to the neighbourhood and the value of our street,” says the co-founder of MAEK and one of the home’s owners Sophie McComish.

“We believe there is something very authentic and beautiful about a heritage home; something that is hard to replicate new. We get an immediate sense of quality and solidness; a sense that great care has been taken to craft it. This was another driving factor for us to bring the old home back to life – not losing all that beautiful detailing and workmanship,” says Sophie who rebuilt the front façade (the chimneys were strengthened and repaired) and repaired the home’s original six-metre-long jarrah floorboards too.

And when it comes to the home’s stunning rear extension, a commitment to ‘beautiful details and workmanship’ is evident where MAEK settled on a unique blend of old and new. “Whilst we have not imitated the old, we would never do this, it’s difficult to know where the old house ends and the new addition begins,” says Sophie.

For example, the living room (a highly contemporary addition) features heritage sash windows, plus detailed skirting and cornices; and it’s one of Sophie’s favourite places to inhabit. “From an aesthetic perspective, the kitchen and living area is a delightful space to be in. You feel as though you are nestled in your own secret garden with its lush green outlook. It’s beautiful all year round,” says Sophie.

Sash windows feature in the home's new extension — Sash windows (right) feature in the home’s new extension

The bathrooms, with their generous proportions of marble and stone, are some of the home’s standout spaces. One of them is situated in an original bedroom, and now sports a vintage freestanding bath in front of an original black and white fireplace. “The heritage features are complemented by a generous ceiling height, large proportions of statuario marble, limestone floors and supersized mirrors. The result is grand and luxurious, but also calming,” says Sophie.

Guest bathroom — The gorgeous guest bathroom

The beautiful garden features a few large boulders, nestled beneath trees among plants and rocks, giving the garden a lovely organic feel. “From kids’ playdates to grown up barbeques and lazing about on a Saturday morning, the house works perfectly for us. The kitchen, living area and alfresco are surrounded by an oasis of lush green gardens and pool, which makes for a very tranquil space to enjoy.”

Pool — The unique pool fence appears to be floating on grass. “It hardly requires any cleaning!” says Sophie.

Photography: Joel Barbitta & Jack Lovell

For more on MAEK | A landscape designer’s green oasis in Perth

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Boutique holiday home SOUL of Gerringong up for sale

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 12, 2020
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Ridiculously photogenic, with Insta-worthy moments in every corner, we’ve featured the gorgeous SOUL of Gerringong holiday home many times. The work of interior designer Simone Matthews, of SOUL Home, and her husband Ben, the property has been in hot demand since it opened to guests three years ago. And given it’s just hit the property market; one lucky person will get to call it home soon. Envious, much?

Comprised of a four-bedroom ‘farmhouse,’ two-bedroom pool-side cabana, one-bedroom studio barn and separate three-bedroom cottage, the home sits across two titles on 1525 square metres of land on the NSW South Coast, and can sleep up to 22 people.

Located in the heart of Gerringong, the home is only 1.5 hours south of Sydney and is within walking distance to an array of cafes, beaches and the photogenic Boat Harbour Rock Pool. And for those looking for a unique business opportunity, the property is being sold with the SOUL of Gerringong business attached.

“It was about blurring the line between a holiday house and a boutique hotel,” says Simone Matthews of creating what was essentially a new style of accommodation for the region. Originally a coastal farmhouse, the Cronulla-based husband and wife team bought the property in October 2015 before working their particular brand of fresh magic on it.

“We opened on Melbourne Cup Day in 2017 and we were booked out one year in advance straight away. The properties have been very well received with a lot of repeat family and friend groups, plus a lot of well-known companies using Soul for their off-site retreats. After we were featured in Qantas magazine we had people contacting us straight from their flight to book in.”

The property goes to auction on site on Tuesday April 7, 2020, with a buyer’s price guide of $4 million.

Check out the real estate listing | SOUL of Gerringong owner shares secrets of her success

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Renovation ideas: Chic Sydney terrace now light filled

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 2, 2020
2 Comments on Renovation ideas: Chic Sydney terrace now light filled

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.”

Photography: Ben Dilger

Shop Elms online | Redfern rooftop garden home with killer Sydney views

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Mosaic tiles Australia: Feature walls star in reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 26, 2020
2 Comments on Mosaic tiles Australia: Feature walls star in reno

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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

For more on Kathryn Bamford | For more on Integriti Projects | Terrace house: Glass transforms dark Sydney home

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Roof terrace outdoor solution for inner-city WA home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 1, 2019
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Situated on a tiny 183 square metre block, in the inner-city Perth suburb of Mount Lawley, creative design solutions were top of mind when designing this gem of a home.

“We wanted to provide as much floor space as we could which meant the block didn’t have the typical ‘backyard’ outdoor space. In order to create a usable outdoor space, the idea of a roof terrace came about,” says the home’s architect and owner Paul Muggeridge, of its 42 square metre private roof terrace that overlooks the neighbouring rooftops and Perth city skyline.

Another key design constraint was making sure that enough light could penetrate the ground floor of the home, which is located in a laneway. “We wanted to walk in the front door and be flooded with natural light. This is evident in the 2.7 metre high glazed doors, the level one courtyard and the skylights washing light into the living spaces,” says Paul.

The availability of light also played heavily into the choices inside the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home – the staircase in particular. “We love the steel cantilevered staircase. Being able to see through each stair tread allows light to shine through from the skylight into the ground floor space,” says Paul.

Elsewhere, concrete was used to great effect, most notably on the floor and in the cantilevered concrete kitchen bench that, while housing lots of storage, makes a fabulous statement in the small living space. The living area also features large cavity slider doors that further open up the space and bring the outside in.

As for the colour palette, the largely monochromatic scheme is broken up with the occasional pop of colour – Nood Co concrete basins make a statement in the master ensuite and a deep blue feature wall has fabulous impact in the adjacent bedroom.

Master ensuite — Nood Co basins feature in the master ensuite

This home is open as part of the upcoming Open House Perth program that runs on November 16th and 17th, 2019.

Photography: Scott Horsburgh (external) and Scott Wright (internal) | Styling: Anna Flanders

For more on Open House Perth | Blended family’s colourful retro Perth abode

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Rammed earth, resort-style home on the VIC coast

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 29, 2019
No Comments on Rammed earth, resort-style home on the VIC coast

Located one block back from the coast on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, this home provides quite a contrast to its neighbours – a ramshackle array of fibro holiday shacks. But the streetscape is slowly changing as more and more people make the sea change.

“Recent times have brought many more permanent residents, and the newer housing in the area has begun to reflect this with larger, often highly architecturally designed housing in a more modern style,” says the home’s designer Amy Hart, director of The Little Brick Studio.

But while the home stands out for its striking, modern design, its material palette ensures it blends with the landscape. “Rather than replicating the dated neighbouring homes, the dwelling successfully uses colour, texture and tonal elements to imitate the natural coastal surrounds,” says Amy. Mirroring the contrasting coastal tones of the sand and vegetation, rammed earth and charred timber cladding make for a timeless combination.

Home to a young family of four, this is the third home that Amy has designed for them and it merges their favourite aspects from the earlier projects. “We picked out the elements that they loved about their prior homes and melded them into their new dream home,” says Amy who explains that her clients’ needs have changed quite a bit since becoming new parents.

With a view to building a ‘forever’ family abode, versatile, future-proof spaces were high on the list, as well as a request for plenty of natural light, seamless indoor/outdoor transitions and large open plan living areas.

And given the home’s owners spend a lot of time holidaying in Queensland, a resort-feel was also a top design priority – a feel that is perhaps best embodied by the home’s pool which is visible from the main living space.

The home's gorgeous resort-style pool — The home’s gorgeous, resort-style pool

Even the home’s many textured and reflective surfaces were chosen to highlight the pool – the palette ensuring that the swimming area is the standout feature. “The reflections of the water, the shadows and light can be glimpsed throughout the house. They provide a hint of the coastal lifestyle the client loves so much.”

The pool can be accessed from the main bedroom too — The pool can be accessed from the main bedroom

Photography: Amorfo Photography

For more on The Little Brick Studio | Contemporary landscape paintings inspired by the Mornington Peninsula

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