Tag: little willow

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Kitchens RENO ADDICT Smart Home The Block

Julia & Sasha share kitchen, mudroom and laundry

Photography by Marcel Aucar

Last time we caught up, our kitchen and laundry had just been installed but the finishing touches were a mere pipedream. Fast forward to 2018 and we’re done and dusted. If we’d ever questioned the notion of love at first sight, we don’t anymore. These spaces have far exceeded our expectations and we’re walking around with all the heart eye emojis. If you’re not yet familiar with our design and installation process, you can read about it here. Go on… I’ll wait.

Kitchen

Now we’re on the same page, it’s time for the fun stuff. We’ve always loved the process of fixing stone bench tops as it pulls the entire look together and adds an element of luxe. We opted for Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo for its marble-like appearance and ability to blend classic meets contemporary. It’s also extremely low maintenance and more cost-effective than natural stone. At this point in the renovation, any saving is a good saving and we’re thrilled to bits with the end result. We opted for a frontal waterfall on the island as it defines the sink from the prep area and looks bangin’ to boot.

There’s still more than enough room for three stools and ample space to hang about. Our island measures 3000mm x 1200mm, the maximum when using only one slab of stone. We’re not big fans of longer benches as they require multiple slabs, resulting in an extra join on the surface.

We stuck with the same stone for the splashback in the kitchen but changed it up in the butler’s pantry. The zone opened up ten-fold by using a smoked mirror and we love how it defines the spaces. There’s still a seamlessness as the cabinetry and bench tops are consistent but the use of mirror adds depth and interest. It’s also really easy to keep clean which should always be the MO in any prep area (or so I tell a very messy Sasha).

Among our favourite things are the soaring Sierra cabinets in Matt White from Freedom Kitchens. The Sierra range is a beautiful Shaker-style profile which looks modern yet classic at the same time. We love a generously proportioned space and one of the best ways to achieve this is by taking joinery sky high. The upper cabinets are readily available and measure 1250mm. There’s more storage than you can poke a stick at and they make the room feel infinite. It’s a great trick to implement if you have limited floor space but want to increase the grandeur of your kitchen. You can thank us later, alligators.

Drawers were always big on our list of must-haves and we crammed in as many as we could. They’re so much easier than cupboards when storing everyday items like crockery, containers, and pots and pans. I once did my back while searching for a mixing bowl which was very inconvenient as I had a party to attend and wound up sitting at the dessert table with my friend’s grandma all night. There’s no chance of that happening at Little Willow as we have drawers for days! Freedom Kitchens are clever folk and added some nifty storage solutions like cutlery dividers, a walnut knife holder, and our amazing spice rack. We could buy all the spices from the supermarket and still have room left over. Clever, indeed.

Of course, cupboards are still handy for those things used less often and they’re in abundance in the butler’s pantry. I’m crazy for the corner carousel shelves they installed in the corner cupboard, previously known as the place ‘where things go to die’. It makes such perfect sense and is also really fun to play with. The added depth of our island made way for extra storage in the seating area. Big props to our designer Jack for working so hard to maximise functionality by utilising every inch of available space.

Another big hit are the white sinks. When we settled on the gold tap, we knew we had to skip the standard stainless steel as it can be hard to mix metals. White was a natural alternative and the effect it has is seamless. The sinks are made of composite granite so they’re durable and virtually scratch-resistant. We’re more than happy to share the love so if you need one in your life, head to Reece and ask for the Franke Impact Granite Undermount in White.

On The Block, we were lucky enough to work with Gaggenau and we loved them hard. We didn’t think it possible to develop an affinity with any other appliance brand until NEFF came along. Golly gumdrops, they’re amazing! Our oven stack is so impressive – the doors actually tuck themselves away when you open them. If you haven’t seen them in action, hit up our Insta for a Boomerang demonstration. Our stack includes an in-built Coffee Machine, Compact Oven with Microwave, Slide&Hide Combi-Steam Oven, and Slide&Hide Vario-Steam Oven. That’s a lot of ovens for one house so the new owners best enjoy cooking. The piece de resistance is of course the FlexInduction Cooktop with Integrated Downdraft. Rather than going up into a regular rangehood, steam is sucked down into the vent. How’s that for forward thinking?!

The kitchen is complete with two NEFF dishwashers and our double fridge/freezer from Bosch. Where are they, you ask? Hidden behind four integrated panels right near the island bench. It’s such a great way to dress large appliances and something we’ll be doing in every property moving forward.

We utilised the working triangle when designing this kitchen and it really does make a difference. The general rule of thumb is there should only be a few steps between your sink, cooktop, and fridge. Ours are positioned just so and the space sings because of it.

Of course, we’re all about lightness and brightness so we decided to splash out on three VELUX skylights. They let in a phenomenal amount of natural light and we can’t recommend them enough. Even if you’re not doing a full renovation, it’s worth considering adding a few throughout your home as they truly offer bang for buck. They’re such a focal point and amplify everything in the space, including our White Smoked boards from Royal Oak Floors. Together, they bounce the light around and are a match made in Heaven.

Laundry and Mud Room

If there’s beauty in simplicity then this is it. We carried through the Sierra profile to maintain consistency and added functional shelving to break up the look. Our penny round tiles from Beaumont work so well with the Intense White bench top from Caesarstone. The gooseneck tap from Sussex pops against all the white and marble and collectively elicits the most serene vibe. There’s a high chance I’ll be rolling around in dirt just so I can use this space. (OK, maybe not rolling around but I won’t crack it if I spill coffee on my white dress, that’s for sure).

It’s hard for me to admit but Sasha’s mud room came up trumps. Originally I wanted a whole bank of cupboards but she insisted on creating an Insta-worthy space so I relented and let her at it. It’s such a usable zone with outdoor access so there’s no reason for muddy footprints to be dragged through the house. After endless harping, I managed to get my way with tropical wallpaper and I love how it pops against all the white.

I’m calling it – of the four kitchens and laundries we’ve created, these are my absolute favourites. They’re so striking and functional. Some people think all-white spaces are boring but I truly believe there is nothing better. They have an elegance all their own and give off a feeling of light. As Bill Murray said, ‘There has to be a lightness; you have to be as light as you can be and not get weighed down and stuck in your emotion, stuck in your body, stuck in your head. You just want to always be trying to elevate somehow.’ Sure he was talking about something deeper than kitchens and laundries but his advice rings true. We have all the lightness there is and I hope you love our spaces as much as we do.

Our sincere gratitude to all our suppliers for working tirelessly with us. Their knowledge and commitment has made all the difference and we’re forever indebted for the time, energy, and care they’ve shown. There’s something extra special about companies that not only supply product but eagerly anticipate the end result. That kind of enthusiasm is hard to come by but they have it in spades.

Until next time,

Julia xx

More kitchens and bathrooms | Jen’s kitchen reno

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RENO ADDICT The Block

Julia and Sasha’s new reno, week 3: Not-So-Little-Willow!

It’s instalment three of our exclusive series with former Blockheads Julia and Sasha and so much has happened! Read on for Julia’s warts and all account, some exciting developments (and, let’s be a honest, a few fails!).

Remember last time when I said Little Willow was off to a pretty good start? Well, she was for a day but you know what they say about life and lemons. A few weeks in and we could open our own Solo factory. Why? I’m glad you asked. Let’s jump straight in, shall we?!

If there’s one word that makes my skin crawl it’s demolition. It all sounds simple enough. Therapeutic even, if you’ve got unresolved anger issues and know your way around a sledgehammer. Be warned though: it’s not all sunshine and unicorns. It’s also not as funny as my dad-jokes on The Block but I wouldn’t torture you with those again. Actually, who am I kidding? Of course I will.

Before Little Willow could take shape, she had to shed her behind. The permit came through in stages, making it tough to lock in a dedicated demo company, so we decided to do it ourselves. Now, normally I’d demand a round of applause for this nobility but in actual fact, it was to our detriment. Our builders are working to a cost-plus model which means we pay them an hourly rate instead of a fixed lump sum. What was supposed to be a few walls over a few days turned into the mother of all demos. I’m not sure how but the house seemed to get bigger with every skerrick removed.

Want to know what’s really expensive? Skip bins. They charge a pretty penny and when you’re knocking down a house, you’ll go through at least 15. Whilst I love our trades, packing is not their strong suit. Rumour has it I spent two weeks inside a skip bin stacking it like a Tetris ninja. Yes, it’s as sexy as it sounds and yes, I will probably die from tetanus given all the rusty nails, but at least I can sleep at night knowing there were literally no gaps among the debris.

Julia the bin-filling Tetris ninja!

In the end, it took four builders over a fortnight to pull Little Willow apart. They did a stellar job but from a financial perspective, it wasn’t a smart move. Ultimately, we were paying qualified chippies to do a labourer’s work and our costs blew out like you wouldn’t believe. We tried to save by roping our dads in to help but the terrain was uneven and there were a few busted ankles. It’s been a tough learning curve but in all honesty, demo companies are worth waiting for. They salvage so much and are far more cost-effective. By locking in a fixed price, there are no nasty surprises and you won’t be forced to sub in to spare a dollar. (You also won’t be left onsite wondering if the white powdery stuff in your bare hands is asbestos. Not that I’d know anything about that. Ahem.)

Sasha in an excavator

OK, now that’s out of the way let’s talk framing. Our intentions to keep the front of the house were good but once the plaster came off, it was apparent Little Willow wasn’t straight. Like, not at all. You could take her to The Castro on a Saturday night and she’d fit right in. We couldn’t move forward with crooked walls so we made a plan to straighten what we could. This meant removing a million nails, which was about as fun as driving through a safari park in a car made of steak. Once this was done, it was time to move those babies into a better position. Unfortunately, not all could be saved so the boys made a plan to replace them. The house also needed to be re-stumped so we called in the experts and they jacked her up. It took three days and was as fascinating to watch as Say Yes to the Dress. Love you, Monty!

Due to our massive time crunch, we elected to have the new frame made offsite. In the industry it’s known as prefab and no, it’s not short for fabulous (Believe me, I’ve already made that joke and no one laughed). This was one of our better decisions as our builders could focus on laying the foundations. Once again, you need to allow a decent whack of time for this to happen. Holes need to be dug, stumps inserted, and concrete poured before the inspector comes out and gives a yay or nay.

Foundations

With the tick of approval, it was time for our plumber to come in and lay the pipes. Honestly, Brett Franklin is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet and can rough in like no one else. He was our plumber on The Block and dropped everything at a moment’s notice to help us at Little Willow. We put him through hell last year and yet he turned up with a smile on his face ready to do it all again. Here’s hoping you don’t regret it, Brett!

Steel is an important part of every build, particularly if you’re going up a level, yet it almost slipped through the cracks. We’d gotten a bit wrapped up in all the pretty stuff — picking wallpaper and carpet and what type of apples to display in the kitchen*. By the time we reached out to steel fabricators, we only had two weeks up our sleeves and were cutting it mighty fine. Thankfully we were able to lock in a supplier who delivered only two days behind schedule. It wasn’t a total debacle but could have been avoided if we’d been more focused. Of course, it pays to learn the hard way and it’s a mistake we won’t make again. Silver linings and all that.

By far the best moment was when our frame arrived. Not that we were there to enjoy it as Sash was literally in surgery as it rolled up. Still, our relief was palpable. The beauty of prefab is the hard yards are done for you so you can literally set and forget. The boys had both levels up quick sticks and Little Willow started taking shape. Just between us, she’s bloody huge and has the most amazing city views from the first floor. A friend of ours has dubbed her Not So Little Willow and it couldn’t be more accurate. We still have a long way to go and a thousand decisions to make but one thing’s for sure, this is going to be a stunning family home.

Thanks for following along so far. Next time we’ll be talking roof plumbing, wall cladding, and a whole lot more. Until then, gang.

Julia xx

*In case you were wondering, Granny Smith apples come up best in photos.

Missed a bit? Week 1 | Week 2

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House Tours The Block

Julia and Sasha’s Little Willow reno: update 2

Last week, we introduced our new series with last year’s Blockheads Julia and Sasha, following their new Melbourne reno. This week, Julia’s talking about the phase before settlement, designing the house and locking in trades.

We bought Little Willow in November last year. The Block had just wrapped and for some strange reason, we missed the adrenaline that goes with having to make a million decisions when you’re tired, stressed, and living off Pot Noodles and Mars Bars. We’ve been told The Block’s like childbirth: hell at the time but a few weeks later you’re all rose-coloured glasses and ready to go again. We’d clearly been downing the Kool-Aid because we were eager to jump in and get cracking. However, the silly season was about to kick off so we cooled our jets and asked for a longer settlement. This was wise for two reasons. One, it gave us time to actually sit down and plan every detail and two, it meant we didn’t have to pay the mortgage for four months. Merry Christmas to us!

Julia and Sasha

The previous owners of Little Willow had already vacated the property and were very kind in giving us access on a few occasions. We had a pretty clear idea of what we wanted to do, and it was made easier by visiting the site before settlement. We engaged a draftsman straight off the bat and worked together on the floorplan. This process typically takes a few weeks but if you’re a Virgo like me (read: super critical/nightmare), expect it to blow out.

Our first renovation took place in the street adjacent to Little Willow so we knew the area well and had an understanding of the buyer we’re targeting. Elsternwick is a family-friendly suburb with excellent schools, shopping, and transport links. It’s only nine kilometres from the CBD and within walking distance to the beach. With this in mind, our best bet was to create a four-bedroom home with enough space for a young, growing family. Easy, right? Well, yes and no. The site is only 360sqm, standard for the area but challenging when you’re trying to wrangle enough space for the Kody Brown clan. So, what were two girls and their draftsman to do? Our aim was to maximise the footprint without creating a monolith. We were determined to keep the front façade, with the addition of French doors and a sweet veranda. Beyond that, anything was possible and after a little to and fro (OK, a lot) we finally agreed on a floorplan we love.

By the time settlement took place, our design was shipshape and ready for the surveyor. One of our primary considerations was council approval, or lack thereof. Given we’re flipping the property, we needed things to move forward at a rapid rate which meant abiding by all regulations including boundary setbacks and window heights. In doing this, our surveyor avoided having to go through council as we only required a building permit. Typically, these are granted within a few weeks so we were off and racing.

As anyone in the property game will attest, budget is everything. Structural renovations don’t come cheap and there’s no point spending squillions if you’ll never get it back. The only way to stay on track is by having a super organised person on your squad. Someone who loves negotiating, paying invoices, and documenting it all in spreadsheets. Enter Sasha. I swear she was an accountant in a past life and knows every damn trick in Excel. (Truth be told, she probably needs to get out more, but that’s neither here nor there.) We set our budget early on, taking into consideration how much we paid for the house and the proposed building costs. Of course, we have a budget and then we have a budget. Builds are famous for exceeding fiscal expectations so we set a reasonable limit then another that’s a-bit-of-a-stretch-but-at-least-we’ll-still-be-able-to-feed-our-dog kinda limit. Once this was locked and loaded, it was time for the nitty gritty: employing trades.

Demo time!

If we’ve learned one thing, it’s this: get as many quotes as possible. They vary so much and it’s important to give yourself enough time to consider your options. We created a scope of work that allowed us to compare apples for apples. It pains me to say but construction’s still a man’s game and we’ve been taken for a ride on a few occasions. It’s a good thing we don’t suffer fools however as those rides were short-lived!

Frank Lloyd Wright wasn’t lying when he said trades make or break a design. Every build is dependant on skill and communication and these traits were top of mind when engaging our team. We developed a great relationship with our builders before they signed on and were upfront about our needs and expectations. Given our tight timeline, delays are an absolute no-go so we’ve been insistent on sticking to a project schedule.

Sasha on the tools!

All in all, Little Willow’s off to a pretty good start but I’ve got lots of dirt to dish in coming weeks. Even with two renovations under our belts, there’s so much to learn and we’re the first to admit we’re still guinea pigs.

Send through any questions you may have and I’ll see you next time!

Julia xx

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House Tours RENO ADDICT The Block

Ex-Blockheads Julia and Sasha share their latest reno journey

Today, I’m delighted to introduce a new series with ex-Blockheads Julia and Sasha, who will be exclusively sharing their latest reno journey with Interiors Addict, warts and all! As you know, I was big fan of these two and their taste on the last season of The Block. I’m taking major inspo from their Block kitchen for my own! 

Julia Treuel and Sasha Wright-Neville

It just so happens that their latest project, a 100-year-old home full of character (but currently not much space), is only a few streets away from where the new series of the reality reno show (which starts airing this Sunday, yay!) is being filmed in Melbourne.

Julia and Sasha’s Block family bathroom. I checked it out myself and it was BEAUTIFUL.
THAT Block kitchen which I’m taking inspo from for my own upcoming reno (imitation is flattering, right ladies?!)

The girls (Julia’s an interior stylist and Sasha, a software engineer) have been busy bees since they finished up on the show, starting up a design business called Abbey Collective. While their main focus will be flipping their own properties, they’ll also be offering interior styling services to clients.

Without further ado, I’ll hand over to Julia with the first fortnightly instalment of the Little Willow journey, which you’ll only read about online here…

2016 was an absolute whirlwind. We’d recently sold our much-loved property and were packing up our lives when we decided to apply for The Block. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions and we giggled through the entire process. ‘As if we’ll get on,’ we said. ‘Not a chance in hell.’ But we had a few hours up our sleeve and Sasha wanted to give her new camera a workout, so we made an audition tape and clicked ‘APPLY NOW’. 

That decision proved fruitful and two months later, we were standing on a rooftop in front of Scotty Cam, frozen to the bone and absolutely terrified. The next 12 weeks were equal parts challenging and exhilarating. We cried, fought, and laughed our way through the build of our Port Melbourne apartment. It tested us in ways we never imagined but we rode the rollercoaster with passion and determination and somehow came out the other side. The below package sums up our time on the show, expletives and all (Sorry, Dad!).

When cameras stopped rolling after our incredible auction, we were anxious to lock in our next project. Our plan had always been to flip properties but we’d been out of the market for a year and there was limited stock. Serendipitously, a sweet little Edwardian popped up and we knew we’d found the one. We roped our agent into bidding for us because I simply cannot be trusted at auctions and we had a budget to adhere to. After 15 heart-pounding minutes, the hammer fell and the property was ours.

Of course, first things first. She had to have a name and we chose Little Willow. It suits her to a T because she’s currently pretty mini and resides on a street with the same appellation. In her 100 years, she’s housed only two families and was once part of Melbourne’s renowned Rippon Lea Estate. Her weatherboard façade had us at hello but the rear hasn’t been touched in eons. The scope is incredible and even though there’s no heritage listing, we’re committed to preserving her period charm.   

The pair will transform Little Willow into a sizeable family home in just a few months

So, what’s our plan exactly? Well, we’ll be taking her from a tiny three-bedroom abode to a sizeable family home. We’ll retain the four principal rooms and knock down the rest, paving the way for a rear and first-floor extension. All up, there’ll be four bedrooms (including a stunning master suite), three bathrooms, and two living areas. It’s a massive project, our biggest to date, and we’re doing it in a matter of months. After The Block, I swore I’d never work to crazy timelines again and yet here we are. Will I melt down? Probably, but there’ll be no cameras to capture it so you’ll never know. (Jokes – I’m a chronic over-sharer so read about it here first.)

Our vision for Little Willow is in keeping with our design aesthetic of classic meets contemporary with a luxe vibe. The aim is to make it as appealing as possible to the widest range of buyers so we have the best chance come auction. Like most renovators, our biggest challenge is our budget. We have to keep it front and centre if we’re to grow Abbey Collective. This poses a massive problem as I get emotionally attached to things, so let the fireworks begin!

Undoubtedly, a renovation is only as good as the suppliers on board and we’re lucky to have some of the best. Freedom Kitchens will be holding our hands through kitchen and laundry week and NEFF will be kitting us out with their exceptional appliances. The team at Beaumont Tiles must have their blinkers on as they’ve agreed to work with us again, even after I tortured them on The Block. Reece have signed on the dotted line for more bathroom goodness and DIY Online Blinds will be jazzing up the windows. The Montauk Lighting Co. are new on the scene and will be providing some stunning pendants. Our walls will be dressed by the excellent Taubmans and doors by Gainsborough Hardware. Not to be forgotten is Little Willow’s façade. The folk at Scyon Walls will freshen her up with their Linea weatherboards whilst James Hardie will showcase their fab HardieDeck.

We get asked all the time about life after The Block so it’s a real treat to be sharing it with you on Interiors Addict. We’re so excited to be working on this gorgeous home and can’t wait to document it here via fortnightly articles. Until next time, lovelies.   

Julia xx

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