Tag: real reno

How to do a stylish coastal kitchen makeover for just $500!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 21, 2023
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When British ex-pat Keeley Menz purchased her home an hour south of Perth last year, she loved everything about it except for the kitchen. “It is a beautiful home, but the original kitchen just wasn’t my style as it was too dark and brown. My first instinct was to paint the walls but I felt that if I lifted the kitchen it would make the whole space feel brighter and lighter.”

She set about transforming the space with chalk paint, stick-on stone tiles and new handles. Incredibly, the circa-2008 kitchen has been transformed into a breezy, coastal-inspired space and the whole makeover only set Keeley back $500!

Having just spent over $10,000 on moving to Western Australia from the eastern states, Keeley was looking for a cost-effective solution to update the kitchen cupboards, when she came upon Frenchic Paint. “I’ve done a lot of DIY and makeovers in my time, and I’ve painted a kitchen before, but this product was amazing. It didn’t drip at all, and the paint’s self-levelling aspect really works,” says Keeley who, incredibly, worked on the kitchen during the day (with her two-year-old son running around) and at night when light conditions weren’t the best.

“Obviously, it would have been better to have done all the painting under natural light, but it wasn’t always possible. I remember being amazed when I woke in the morning because I was sure I’d have to go over the cupboards again but there were no drips or streaks,” says Keeley, who cleaned and lightly sanded the cupboard fronts before applying around three coats of Frenchic’s Dazzle Me. “I did a lot of coats because the cupboards were so dark and I wanted to make sure they were completely white. I’d describe the finish as matte and easy to keep clean,” says Keeley.

Paint aside, Keeley used self-adhesive, heat-resistant, waterproof stone tiles from Tic Tac Tiles to update the kitchen’s functional yet dated glass splash back. The real stone tiles have adhesive backing and are easy to install on any clean surface.

The kitchen was put through its paces recently when Keeley’s family arrived from the UK for a long holiday over Christmas; with a full house for six weeks, Keeley says the kitchen withstood the onslaught. “I had my mum, dad, sister, husband and then three toddlers smashing into the cupboards with their toys, but the wear and tear was fine!”

Chalk and mineral paint Frenchic was founded in the UK in 2014, fast gaining a loyal fanbase and a Facebook group of more than half a million DIYers sharing their projects. It has been available in Australia since 2021, through independent stockists and online.

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New bathroom & laundry layout elevates coastal home reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 14, 2023
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Located in Kincumber, on the NSW Central Coast, this family home was overhauled recently with the team at Danielle Victoria Design Studio at the helm. Home to a family of four with two young girls, the fresh renovation centred around a couple of key areas – the main living space (comprised of the kitchen, living and dining) as well as the laundry and bathroom.

Inspired by coastal tones and the homeowners’ fresh and modern style, the renovation drew on a textured palette with fresh whites, contemporary finishes and VJ panelled walls taking centre stage. “The removal of a wall in the kitchen and living area was a big transformation. We created more kitchen storage than before by creating an island bench, wall cabinetry and designing a full-height double pantry which is essential for a young family,” says Danielle Bonello-Dunsford, principal designer. Light was maximised further within the kitchen by installing a large skylight and brand new French doors.

And while the kitchen is essentially an all-white affair, depth and interest is added through a variety of textured finishes including bespoke shaker-style cabinetry, Kethy oak pull handles, handmade splashback tiles, and Laminex Demi Round Surround panelling which is hugely effective on the front of the kitchen island bench.

Copper accents also work to elevate the space with ABI Interior brushed copper tapware and complementary bespoke shelving. “The brackets for the open shelves in the kitchen were a little splurge from Domino Brass. They’re a custom brass finish that will patina beautifully over time,” says Danielle.

Not in the original design scope, the family decided to tackle the bathroom after the initial building works identified damp issues. “We planned quickly and ended up gutting the whole bathroom, which actually helped us achieve a much better floorplan flow and a lot of storage upgrades,” says Danielle who is very proud of the way that the new floorplan for the bathroom and laundry came together. The team shifted walls and repositioned doors to create clever storage and improved flow.

“We opened the bathroom by stealing space from a WC previously accessed from the laundry. The client didn’t like the separate toilet and the small shower, so it was a no brainer. We brought the toilet into the bathroom, created a floor to ceiling cosmetics cupboard and created a shower nook with stunning jade green tiles,” says Danielle.

Shower — We love the statement tile in the shower

Timber accents run through into the bathroom and laundry too, with Kethy oak knobs, ABI Interior brushed copper tapware and fittings (as in the kitchen) and a bespoke vanity made with Elegant Oak by Laminex. Green tiles, from Surface Gallery, were specified to complement the surrounding greenery.

And it would seem the client is happy too. “Danielle exceeded our expectations, her eye for detail is incredible. The small touches and details completely transformed our space. We love our new home!”

Photography: Tim Jones | Styling: Danielle Victoria Design Studio

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Luxury lakeside living on NSW South Coast: A fab reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 2, 2023
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The team behind this gorgeous Wollongong Art Deco home renovation is back with a similar makeover on the shores of Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast. Lumiere Lakes is a stylish three-bedroom holiday home on the water’s edge owned by Zoe and Dane Cartwright of Illawarra’s Projection Build who modelled the design on their permanent residence with Sherson Architecture at the helm.

“We wanted to create the ideal coastal getaway – a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy the beautiful waterfront location. It’s light-filled, calm resort style living and is the dream home away from home,” says Zoe.

Dining room. The walls are painted with Dulux Vivid White and warm engineered timber flooring complements.

The home’s neutral palette and tranquil feel bears more than a passing sartorial nod to cult holiday destinations like Byron Bay’s Raes on Wategos and Brisbane’s The Calile Hotel. “The home features coastal Moroccan elements with modern functionality and each inclusion was chosen to make holiday living effortless and enjoyable,” says Zoe.

The home sleeps 10 guests across its three bedrooms – there’s a master bedroom with ensuite, another large bedroom and a custom bunk room that features two double beds and two single beds designed to sleep children from two families.

The kitchen features Organic White Caesarstone benchtops, travertine tiles and Navurban Balmoral timber veneer joinery that hides a variety of integrated appliances. The space is also home to a stylish butler’s pantry that is accessed through an elegant arch threshold.

The bathrooms feature Caesarstone benchtops (again in Organic White) as well as timber veneer cupboard fronts (Navurban Balmoral) as well as tiles by Inigo Jones and Co, tapware by ABI Interiors and Bjorn oval mirrors.

Nestled on a long 809 square metre block, the home features a multitude of entertaining spaces including two entertaining decks that step down to the water – a fire pit completes the space and ensures the outdoors can be used year-round. “My favourite feature of the home is the crazy pave floor finish that surrounds the fire pit space that overlooks the manicured reserve and water’s edge of Lake Conjola,” says Zoe of the area that features an outdoor entertaining kitchen too.

The gorgeous deck — The tranquil outdoor entertaining space

“We wanted somewhere low maintenance that could be easily rented on the holiday property market whilst we weren’t using it. It’s built to entertain and host like a private, secluded waterfront resort.”

Photography: Nat Spadavecia, The Palm Co

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Melbourne heritage home renovation with pops of colour & texture

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1980’s arch inspires amazing apartment before and after

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 31, 2023
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When interior designer Kathryn Trentini bought this 1980’s Port Macquarie villa she saw a lot of potential and was particularly inspired by its original archway design. “I loved that the arch was still there, and it really represents that era. I feel like they were trying to be a bit fancy with that arch!” So Kathryn instead focused on this one feature and sought to infuse a modern interpretation of the 80’s aesthetic throughout the renovation.

One of a row of four red brick villas, Kathryn originally intended to renovate the property and find a long-term tenant but changed her mind when a friend suggested she list it on Airbnb. “It is my first foray into the short-term rental space, and I think we’ve managed to celebrate the best of the original spaces while enhancing the home’s features through contemporary material choices and design ideas,” says Kathryn who has named the home Arthouse Villa in a nod to the beautiful original artworks dotted throughout.

There was significant space planning involved, especially in the bathroom and kitchen which were both reconfigured to make much better use of the home’s footprint. “The kitchen was u-shaped and had a tiny ledge on one wall that was completely useless. Even though the room was massive, the kitchen was really lacking,” says Kathryn. It’s certainly true that, compared to the 1980’s, we ask so much more of our kitchens these days and that is reflected in the redesign.

The new galley style kitchen features an integrated fridge, double pantry, oven with combined microwave and dishwasher and it’s also got a mini butler’s pantry where the kettle, toaster and coffee machine are stored. “That’s a great option if you can’t fit a full butler’s and it’s perfect for small apartments or for people that don’t want a whole other space to keep clean,” says Kathryn. One side of the kitchen features tall cabinetry while the other is bench height with an open shelf above. “I loved the idea of being able to display non-kitchen stuff. I see it as an opportunity to add personality,” says Kathryn.

A standout feature, Lo & Co honed marble handles not only link back to the arch but they are super luxe too. “The kitchen finishes are very simple really, but the handles really do add a lovely luxury element that improves the entire aesthetic,” says Kathryn who used them on one wall of cabinets and used an inexpensive painted timber dowel and brass handle on the other.

The bathroom design was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity; Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. “I wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great,” says Kathryn.

“Overall, I’ve had amazing feedback from visitors who say that they really like the unit’s sense of understated luxury. They like that it’s not precious and they feel comfortable here, but it still ticks that luxury box,” says Kathryn.

Photographer: Amanda Prior

For more on Trentini Design

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90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 30, 2023
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Gemma Peanut. You may know her from her time as a Neighbours actress, but she is now an online photography teacher and one half of parenting podcast We Don’t Have Time for This with her bestie Kate Reeves. Her most recent role has seen her enter the design world through the renovation of her Cabarita Beach holiday house Yo Caba Caba.

Originally built in 1990, the home was relatively untouched when Gemma and her husband purchased it with the intention of using it as a holiday home for themselves as well as listing it on Airbnb. After considered listing it without touching the interiors, the couple decided that it didn’t spark joy in its original state and a fun and colourful renovation ensued.

“Our house in Sydney is very Zen with a neutral palette that provides a calm backdrop against the chaos of raising small children. I knew I wanted the beach house to be the antithesis of that. It’s loud, fun and joyous,” says Gemma, who used to live in LA and drew inspiration from her visits to Palm Springs when creating the interior. “I love the vivid colours of the 50’s and the furniture shapes of the 70s,” says Gemma.

Armed with myriad Pinterest boards, Gemma came up with the interior concepts and hired a renderer to create drawings of the designs. But with so many ideas she found it difficult to consolidate them and commit – especially when it came to the home’s statement kitchen.

“I was most nervous about the colours. Pink and blue are not your typical kitchen colours and I was worried that it would look like a bad gender reveal!” She needn’t have worried though – the kitchen’s sorbet tones, curves, retro-inspired tiling and brass pendant light fittings are more than Insta-worthy. “I figured that one of the main reasons people choose an Airbnb over a hotel room is for the kitchen, so I really wanted it to be quite special,” says Gemma of the renovation’s biggest splurge area.

The nearby dining and lounge rooms are furnished with a mix of high and low-end buys; a bargain moss green Early Settler sofa sits alongside a more expensive leather one while a McMullin & Co coffee table sits atop an affordable Miss Amara Rug. “One of the biggest splurges would be the Balmy Studios table in the dining room but we bought a lot of affordable buys from Temple & Webster too,” says Gemma.

While wallpaper features throughout the home it’s at its most effective in the bedrooms where it’s paired with custom bedheads from Land Home. “The bedheads were my favourite purchase as I got to choose all the fabrics for them and they really elevate the rooms,” says Gemma who sourced bed linen from a variety of sources including Target and Bonnie and Neil.

Unsurprisingly, the renovation has proven a success and the home has been solidly booked all summer. Gemma stayed in the home during the renovation, but her husband hasn’t even slept there yet! “We’re really excited about staying there in March,” says Gemma.

“I’m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego – it allowed me to do things that I wouldn’t normally do.”

Photography: Tanika Blair

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80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home

Located on the dunes at Blairgowrie in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Camillo House is one of the most unusual and beautiful…

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Tags cabarita beach, design, gemma peanut, interior design, interiors, real reno, reno addict, renovating, renovation, styling

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80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 26, 2023
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Located on the dunes at Blairgowrie in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Camillo House is one of the most unusual and beautiful holiday homes we’ve seen. “The home is more than unique, luxury accommodation. Created with sensory pleasure in mind and an incredible attention to detail, it is a backdrop to live fully,” says the home’s founder Clare Hillier who explains that the home was borne from the depths of Melbourne’s arduous COVID lockdowns.

“The world felt smaller than it ever had in 2020 and I started dreaming of creating a true escape – in every sense of the word,” says Clare who spent hours online each day looking for the perfect property before stumbling upon this home. “I remember saying out loud ‘this is it’!” says Clare who inspected the home the day after finding it, promptly purchased it and then spent a summer camping in the house getting to know it better before commencing the renovation.

After much contemplation, two years of hard work ensued with Clare determined to create a home that remained true to its faded 1980’s beauty, while having an identity all of its own. “Our vision for Camillo was that it would be more than luxury accommodation. Rather than playing a supporting role in our guests’ holiday tale, we wanted to create an experience in and of itself,” says Clare.

In collaboration with Blair Smith Architecture, the home’s layout was reconfigured to make the most of the ocean views while every room and surface was updated. “Pine lining boards running across the walls and ceiling combined with a rabbit-warren floor plan made the space feel like a Swedish sauna,” says Clare of the original abode.

Many details were updated – the original exposed mission brown bricks were bagged and a ply ceiling was introduced (a quieter alternative to the hectic orange pine boards) and all of the windows were replaced. The original slate floor was resurfaced to remove the 1980’s high gloss and the material formed the inspiration for the home’s entire colour scheme. “With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette,” says Clare.

“We have decorated the home almost entirely with vintage furniture that we sourced from near and far and pieces we designed and made ourselves,” says Clare who also selected all the home’s materials and interior fixtures and fittings. Incredibly, while Clare has always had an interest in interiors she isn’t formally trained!

The kitchen features statement ‘Cosmopolitan’ quartzite which is repeated in the master ensuite shower shelf. Travertine and venetian plaster feature in the second bathroom and Verde Green marble tiles feature in the third bathroom – salvaged from Facebook Marketplace. “They were a steal from a lady who was renovating her bathroom and throwing them out,” says Clare.

AFTER ensuite — AFTER The third bedroom and bathroom

“As an antidote to the grind of modern life, we designed spaces and selected materials with sensory pleasure in mind and a devotion to attention to detail. There is something that is more playful about creating a space for people to escape to than when you are designing a home for everyday living,” says Clare.

Master bedroom — AFTER master bedroom and ensuite

Just 50 barefoot steps from the beach, the home has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, four living spaces, a cook’s kitchen, four decks and an outdoor bath. The bespoke designer space also enjoys stunning ocean views while showcasing 25 original artworks from Australian and international artists.

The view — AFTER one of the home’s four decks

“Totally at one with the landscape, Camillo is a hideaway that celebrates the raw beauty of our part of the world. Whether it’s a secluded bath outdoors, watching thunderstorms roll in over the dunes while lying in bed or nightcaps and card games around the firepit, Camillo frames the rituals of time away towards a deep connection with nature and each other.”

Photography: Kate Shanasy

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Tired apartment becomes luxe home with improved floorplan

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 15, 2022
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Home to a young couple and their cat, this three-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s leafy Darling Point was renovated recently with interior designer Marylou Sobel at the helm. Responding to a ‘classic yet contemporary’ design brief, the result is a sophisticated, tranquil and luxurious home.

Hallway — We love the hallway’s classic checkerboard floor.

“The home hadn’t been refurbished for more than 30 years so it needed updating. It was tired and lacked lustre,” says Marylou. Starting with the entrance hall and powder room, she persuaded the owners to use black and white tiles (Nero Marquina and Carrara marble) that complement the heritage of the home while providing consistency across the different spaces. “I love the entrance hall, it has wow factor, is classical and chic. Overall, the home feels current and yet like it’s always been this way,” says Marylou.

Previously a very small, galley-style kitchen positioned at the back of the family room, the home’s new kitchen is a high-spec entertainers’ delight complete with a bespoke eating nook. The redesign wasn’t easy though; space was taken from the nearby family room and the existing kitchen was turned into the pantry. “The kitchen is a wonderful space now; it’s well appointed, functional, sophisticated, and full of light. It’s a great space to cook, entertain and eat in,” says Marylou of the room that also cleverly incorporates a scullery laundry enclosed behind bifold doors.

In the dining room, an ethereal wallpaper is juxtaposed with a large, sculptural dining table while iron wall sconces further enhance the space. “They add an art-like feature to the walls and the television is tactfully hidden behind bespoke built-in cabinetry in the adjacent living room,” says Marylou.

The master bedroom is a combination of textures and a soft and calming palette, highlighted by an abundance of natural light. The neutral-toned master bathroom features a vanity with a double sink and a mosaic back wall.

But unlike renovating a home, overhauling an apartment comes with a specific set of challenges – council approval and logistical hurdles just some of the things to consider. Not only did Marylou have to think about where the apartment was situated in the building, but also about how a renovation will impact neighbours regarding noise and dirt. “The common areas must be kept clean and free of obstacles and the use of the elevator may have a time stipulation. The inside of the elevator also needs to be protected and builders may need to crane machinery and supplies up to an apartment,” she says.

Challenges aside, the home’s owners adore their new abode. “They wanted a calming sanctuary to come home to after work and travel as well as a place to entertain family and friends with ease. The clients trusted us to transform their home and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them.”

Photography: Prue Ruscoe

For more on Marylou Sobel Interior Design

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Art and colour star in cottage reno inspired by Kit Kemp

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 13, 2022
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Shortlisted in the House & Garden Top 50 rooms award in the “Best Use of Art” category, this art-filled heritage cottage is nestled in Sydney’s Neutral Bay. Inspired by the owner’s passion for Kit Kemp, the home has been renovated and extended and features plenty of fabulous art (obviously!) and playful pops of pink throughout.

“The client’s bravery and love for Kit Kemp inspired a lot of the design – her love for art also helped. The use of bright and bold colours and patterns has made this one of the most colourful projects I’ve worked on,” says architect Brooke Aitken who extended the home at the rear to provide a more spacious and user-friendly kitchen and dining while creating a connection to the rear garden.

Heritage listed, the original part of the semi-detached home remains the same. “The extension is at the rear and not visible from the street which gave us a little more leeway,” says Brooke who explains that one of the key renovation challenges was gaining approval for the works.

Providing visual relief from the rest of the colour-soaked home, the home’s kitchen is a clean, neutral space. Carrara marble bench tops are paired with white satin rhombus shaped tiles from Surface Studio. “There was already so much colour and texture in play. The white in the kitchen provided a clean base and ensures the spaces are bright which is much needed as the front of the house is lacking in a lot of natural light,” says Brooke.

The adjacent dining room was reimagined as a conduit between the existing garden and main house, set two steps below kitchen level with large steel doors flowing to the fresh entertaining deck. Art-filled, the dining nook is one of the home’s most gorgeous spaces.

The bathroom is another tranquil, neutral zone that complements the kitchen. “The bathroom design brief was for a simple, clean room flooded with light, so the colour and tone, finishes and detailing were all designed to work around this starting point,” says Brooke.

Brooke repurposed many of the owner’s existing items using paint and reupholstery to give them new life. “We spray painted the TV unit green and we reupholstered the dining chairs, living room occasional chairs and living room sofa which were all the client’s own,” says Brooke. One such item was the occasional chair that lives in the lounge room – covered in $4,000 worth of fabric, it was the biggest splurge of the project. “Our client works long hours, so we wanted to create a beautiful home that she can enjoy in her downtime.”

The reupholstered occasional chair and freshly painted green TV unit

Photography: Prue Ruscoe

For more on Brooke Aitken Design

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Sophisticated Melbourne home an ode to its owners’ Italian roots

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 6, 2022
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While people often argue that dark houses feel small, Melbourne’s Splinter Society would beg to differ. “We use dark colours as a way of focussing attention and framing things. With light colours, everything is washed out and in your face. With dark colours you have more control over what is highlighted – it’s all about creating theatre, intimacy and atmosphere,” says director Chris Stanley. He adds that playing with natural and artificial light is key to the aesthetic which is demonstrated beautifully in this Brunswick East renovation and extension.

Home to a family of five, this small but perfectly formed abode sits on a narrow 4.5-metre-wide block inside a classic single fronted Victorian terrace. Affectionately named Villa Italia in reference to the owners’ Italian heritage, the designers attempted to distill classic Italian qualities into the home. “Our clients are classically Italian in every way. They love simple beautiful things, food, they are very hospitable, and the house is always immaculately clean and well presented,” says Chris.

“The house is very well put together and it’s designed to host people despite being on the smaller side. Australians don’t cope with living in such squishy spaces because we’re not used to it, but Europeans are much better at it. I’ve found that people can be very fulfilled in small spaces,” says Chris who explains that the family decided to sacrifice extra space to stay in the inner city.

A carefully curated open plan space, the kitchen, dining and lounge areas are all designed to serve multiple functions – various seating and dining configurations have been composed to accommodate gatherings with the owners’ large Italian family. For instance, the banquette in the dining area doubles as soft seating for the living area.

“The family eat around the kitchen bench every night – it’s the centrepiece of the home and the ‘dining’ area is used when friends come over. The kids sit at the bar and the adults at the dining table when entertaining,” says Chris.

Kitchen and lounge. Adding another layer of texture, the ceiling features limewash paint applied with a horsehair brush.

The sophisticated materials palette references the patina of an archetypal Italian village with layered fresco finishes on the walls, bespoke upholstery, textured stonework and parquet timber flooring. Moments of colour are incorporated through the interiors also with with emerald, aquamarine and lapis shades taking centre stage.

“Drawing on the clients’ heritage, the redesign is guided by qualities often associated with Italian brands: fine craftsmanship, sophistication, elegance, and a touch of luxury.”

The front of the home — Then front of the home

Photography: Sharyn Cairns

For more on Splinter Society

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How to embrace colour & maximalist style in your home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 29, 2022
No Comments on How to embrace colour & maximalist style in your home

When interior designer Rachel Collard first perused this 1940s Mount Martha beachside shack, she had every intention of knocking it down and replacing it with a brand new build. But instead, she fell in love with the area (there’s hot springs, wineries, breweries and miles of beach) and decided to perform a cosmetic flip on the abode which she has affectionately titled Miss Morris. With a comfortable work/life balance as the goal, Rachel splits her time between Melbourne and the home which is also available to rent for short stays.

“The home’s maximalist feel came from me wanting to be able to give other people and myself an alternative to the normal cookie-cutter homes in the suburbs. So I decided to play with colour and have fun so when that people come and stay at Miss Morris they feel like they’re on a getaway,” says Rachel who runs her own business, R&Co.Design.Studio.

In describing the maximalist design aesthetic in general, Rachel explains that while most people think it’s just a huge amount of stuff and colour thrown into a room, all the choices are very deliberate.

“It’s about getting the balance of colours and textures right. Everything is very considered, despite how it looks,” says Rachel who recently went on interior designer Simone Haag’s tour of LA where she got to experience some incredible homes in the maximalist vein.

“What struck me was how much fun they have over there with materials and colour. Nothing is safe and it’s about personality and not fitting in with trends,” says Rachel who shares her top maximalist tips with us today.

Layering
The layering of materials and finishes is central to the look. “For example, if you paired striped and spotted fabrics you would need to include a plain or flat surface to offset them. It’s about creating negative and positive spaces as well as breathing space,” says Rachel. It’s important to get the scale of your patterns and textures right too – finding the right balance helps make a home feel considered and not chaotic.

“Grouping is another important part of laying. Put a cluster of objects/vases or plants in one corner then leave the other bare to give the eye a break,” says Rachel.

Colour
“Start with cool or warm palette and then commit to that. Colour is a feeling. Does it make you feel happy? Does it make you want cosy up on the couch? For me it’s important to create emotion when you move into a space,” says Rachel.

Rachel always wanted to use colour in this home as she didn’t want white, blank canvas walls. Obsessed with pink at the time, a custom Porter’s Paint blush shade adorns the walls and Porter’s Paints’ Glasshouse transformed the home’s timber floor. A seafoam green, the floor colour references the ocean and was designed to bring the outside in.

Go bold or go home
“Don’t worry about what other people think. If this is a style you love, keep going on that journey. Most people can’t create this type of look. It’s about having faith in what you can achieve and sticking to your guns,” says Rachel.

When Rachel embarked on this home, most people thought her design brief wouldn’t work but feedback has been nothing but positive. “It’s big and bold and people remember it.”

Photography: Spacecraft

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Stylist helps couple create new home merging two aesthetics

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 21, 2022
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Guest post by Hayley Griffiths

A dark and drab apartment in the heart of Redfern, has been transformed into a calm and contemporary oasis for a retiring couple by interior stylist Jessi Eve. Faced with the challenge of merging two completely different briefs from each client, Jessi found a balance that honoured both. One of the clients preferred an all-white, cool-toned, clean and fresh look while her partner requested a slightly more masculine vibe. Jessi delivered a cohesive interior, bringing life and light to this much-loved home.

“The greatest challenge was merging the two polar-opposite design briefs. It’s not unusual for couples to have completely different design preferences and there is an art to finding a balance between two extremes to ensure a cohesive result. A skilled eye will be able to identify and extract the similarities to form the basis of the scheme,” says Jessi Eve.

A key objective was to incorporate a contemporary and timeless interior to the dated apartment. Jessi achieved this with beautiful new cabinetry in the kitchen and entry, replacing the chocolate brown cabinetry with white fronts. “We did a mini kitchen reno in the sense that we kept the original stone splashback, stone benchtop and internal cabinetry and just refreshed the overall style by swapping out the heavy brown cabinetry and island benchtop,” says Jessi.

The main living, dining, entry and kitchen areas of the home feature a black, white, grey and navy palette with hints of tan leather. To appease both clients, a minimal and clean aesthetic was chosen with touches of masculinity connecting the spaces together. A navy blue Molmic sofa is paired with a Trit House leather armchair and textured braided rug from Rug Culture.

Existing bedroom joinery was removed to allow for more movement and flow while a coat of paint, new window treatments and new Hycraft carpet further elevated the spaces. The two bedrooms became the perfect space for Jessi to bring the polar opposite client briefs to life.

In bedroom one, a white-on-white palette is featured against a cool grey backdrop of curtains and carpet. The client’s existing Lone Swimmer artwork by Aquabumps was a sentimental piece incorporated into the space and Jessi drew inspiration from the minty hues of this artwork to add accent styling in the room.

And although the two briefs are contrasting in aesthetic, Jessi created synergy between them by selecting another Aquabumps artwork in moody tones for the more masculine bedroom. Create Estate custom bedheads were created for both spaces – for the masculine room, a bedhead fabric was matched to the custom sofa in the living room to create a subtle link between the spaces.

Patterned Cultiver linen is featured in the masculine room alongside black rattan Globewest bedside tables.

The result of this design transformation is a home that blends the best of both worlds for the lucky owners, who can ease into retirement with a space that brings joy and relaxation.

Photography: Amani Lindsell Assistant stylist: Sophie Monteiro

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Summer ’22 paint trends and expert styling tips

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 18, 2022
No Comments on Summer ’22 paint trends and expert styling tips

Proving the transformative power of colour yet again, the latest Dulux makeover is a bright, bold confection designed to showcase this summer’s hottest paint trends. A predominantly white lounge room and tween bedroom were overhauled using the Revive palette – one of three palettes from the Dulux Colour Forecast 2023.

“As our world opens up and we adapt to new ways of doing things, we’re looking for lightness and joy in our surroundings. This is a time for reconnecting with the ones we love, and we want guests to walk into our homes and feel a sense of happiness and celebration. At the same time, after two years of restrictions, many of us are yearning for fun, freedom and the chance to try new things,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager.

The formerly all-white lounge room was overhauled with Dulux Paper Brown paint on the walls and Dulux Breezy Half on the ceiling. “The brown instantly added warmth and character while the soft blue ceiling really brightens up the space. “Taking the ceilng colour part-way down on the wall, as we’ve done here, is a design trick to make the ceiling feel higher,” says Dulux colour forecaster and stylist Bree Leech.

The Revive palette perfectly captures the mood with vibrant hues including a rich blue (Dulux Integra), lively green (Dulux Diorite) and a whimsical lilac (Dulux Perplexed) paired with over-scaled patterns, voluptuous furniture and bold, abstract artworks inside the renovated lounge room. “If you’ve never swayed from whites and neutrals before, using saturated colours like these can feel daunting, but there’s really nothing to fear,” says Bree.

Sideboard — A colourful vignette is displayed on the lounge room side board

Bree styled the room with a mash-up of futuristic and retro influences including curvy, statement seating in 80’s inspired electric blue paired with a 70’s inspired textural feature chair and foot stool in mustard. A powder blue sideboard topped with a bright green vessel completes the scene. “Design trends today are heavily influenced by the idea of ‘creating a moment,’ whether it’s the perfect Instagrammable photo or a great Zoom backdrop,” says Bree of the inspiration behind the room.

In the nearby tween bedroom, Bree balanced calm with a sense of fun. “As a sleep space, we wanted this bedroom to feel restful, so we painted the walls in soothing and immersive Dulux Integra. For something a little unexpected, we used Dulux Diorite on the skirting boards, window trims and door, rather than traditional white.”

Bree’s summer styling tips

Add colour in unexpected spots: The element of surprise can be a powerful decorating tool; consider adding colour to your ceiling, timber window frames, door edges or the back of shelves.
Exaggerated curves: Whether it’s a curvaceous sofa, a chubby accent chair or rounded coffee table, this look calls for curves.
Be bold with pattern: Forget the so-called rules on mixing patterns – have fun combining thick or thin stripes, geometrics, over-sized floral prints and more, all in the one space.
Keep artworks casual: Think unframed, abstracts and digital artworks casually propped, even overlapping, on a shelf or sideboard.
Textural contrast: Add depth and interest to your rooms décor by mixing different textures, such as boucle armchairs, thick woven rugs, imperfect ceramics, matte finish joinery and touches of high-shine metallics in furniture legs.
Highlight interesting furniture shapes: Having a backdrop in a contrasting colour allows pieces like curvy, statement seating to shine.
Scheming: The Dulux curated palettes are designed to be used as schemes for paint, as well as soft furnishings, artwork and décor – to ensure all colour references work cohesively.

Photography: Lisa Cohen | Styling: Bree Leech

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Palm Springs via the Med: A stunning before & after reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 15, 2022
4 Comments on Palm Springs via the Med: A stunning before & after reno

After a stint overseas, like many Aussies, Rachel Gadiel returned to Australia in 2020 during the pandemic. Originally a Sydneysider, Rachel was deterred by the house prices in her former hometown and so looked to the beautiful NSW coastal town of Mollymook as an alternative. “I had been visiting the south coast for years and have family down here. I saw this house and thought that buying it made much more sense than buying a beachside apartment in Sydney,” says Rachel who was keen to reside near the ocean.

AFTER front elevation — AFTER The exterior of the home was painted in a textured render in Dulux Casper White

Originally built in the late 1980’s, Rachel saw plenty of potential in the home before undertaking a renovation that spanned nine months and finished in August this year. “I felt this house had incredible potential as it had amazing light, great bones and was in a fabulous location near the beach,” says Rachel who engaged an architect (Fox & Wolf Design) and builder (HDG Constructions) to turn her creative vision into reality.

Combining a modern Mediterranean aesthetic with a Palm Springs inspired feel, the renovation is bright, breezy and fairy neutral except for some pops of pink. “The pink door and pink tiles are my favourite thing. I’m a fan of pink and think it’s a great neutral and because I’m single I wasn’t afraid to go with it. That said, every man who has seen the house think it’s quite neutral apart from the tiling,” says Rachel.

Most of the renovation was cosmetic apart from the removal of the wall between the living and dining areas and the open plan space is Rachel’s favourite part of the home. “I love the open plan living and dining and all the natural light in the house. The way the indoor/outdoor living flows beautifully makes it a lovely place to be,” says Rachel.

AFTER deck — AFTER A brand new deck runs off the kitchen and connects the home with the outdoors

Not only was the whole house overhauled, the home’s lower level was also transformed from a brick and concrete storage area into a self-contained studio. Designed to provide a secondary income stream via Airbnb, the space now features a kitchenette, dining area, bed, bathroom and rear courtyard.

“It was literally an open cement slab next to the garage. My big concern with the studio was that there wouldn’t be enough light but my architect made sure there were enough windows and sliding doors. It’s a great addition to the property.”

Photography: Somethings Wild Creative

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Bohemian spirit infused in art-filled St Kilda apartment reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 14, 2022
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“Moving from a sprawling modernist house to an apartment would normally be a difficult adjustment, but after a substantial cull, it was a surprisingly smooth transition,” says Kate Cowen of her charming beachfront mansion apartment that’s located inside an historic 1861 St Kilda building.

Kate made the decision to downsize due to the changing dynamics of her family – her two daughters are now adults, and she doesn’t need so many rooms. Having engaged Bower Architecture and Interiors on her previous home, Kate entrusted the practice again with the interior refurbishment of the apartment that had been home to the previous owners for the past 30 years.

“Kate’s brief to us was to transform the existing dark spaces into a refuge that she would love spending time in. It was to be unapologetically a space for her and the rich and joyful life she leads as a fabulously single woman,” says Anna Dutton, co-director at Bower Architecture and Interiors. A frequent entertainer, the home also gracefully adapts to host large and small groups of family and friends with the interiors providing a canvas for Kate’s large collection of artwork and sculptures.

“Kate is a collector of magical objects and art, frequently finding curios in auction houses, second hand store or even left by the side of the road, restoring them and giving them a second life. Artworks have been selected with passion over time with many of them reminiscent of different eras throughout Kate’s life,” says Anna. Rather than compete with the collection, the refurbishment features pared back, timeless lines and finishes that also celebrate the existing character of the Victorian interior.

The spaces were reconfigured to subtly conceal the more private areas of the home from the first floor living and entertainment zone. “There are few rooms, but the volumes are breathtaking. The four metre ceilings and living area overlooking the beach are gob-smacking – everyone who visits has the same reaction,” says Kate.

A refined steel staircase connects to the lower level of the apartment where the master bedroom, second bedroom, retreat/third bedroom and bathroom are now situated in what was originally two voluminous Victorian spaces complete with ornate cornices and fireplaces.

“Rather than break the majesty of the original spaces, we carefully introduced walls which are separated from the ornate ceilings by fine steel framed windows which allow the lines of the original rooms to flow through them. In addition, they spread natural light throughout the spaces,” says Anna.

And while many of the finishes are on the neutral side, there’s an explosion of colour in the powder room and bathroom where saturated turquoise Moroccan Zellige tiles are combined with a curved tiled ceiling in a nod to St Kilda’s colourful bathhouse history.

Photography: Shannon McGrath | Styling: Kate Cowen

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Apartment transformed with luxury finishes and space saving ideas

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 10, 2022
2 Comments on Apartment transformed with luxury finishes and space saving ideas

Located in Carlton, just north of the Melbourne CBD, this circa 1902 apartment was once home to a trio of university students before it underwent a gorgeous makeover courtesy of The Stylesmiths. “The owner had lent the apartment to their son and his uni mates and needless to say, the transformation from uni lodge to angelic home has been tremendous!” says The Stylesmiths interior designer Kristen Dahl-Feathers who worked on the project with fellow designer Carlie Ng.

“When we were first engaged, we weren’t sure if the owners wanted to renovate it and rent it out or move into it as a retirement pad. But we are thrilled that they fell in love with the design and decided to go ahead and live in it themselves,” says Kristen.

With a design brief that focussed on contemporary classic design, with a pared back palette, The Stylesmiths team set about making the compact home feel open and airy. Downstairs, in the communal area, the kitchen is highly detailed yet simple and classic with panelled joinery and curved marble benchtops set on top of a custom designed fluted base.

Already part of the apartment, the mezzanine was made larger to create room for a library and its adjacent spiral staircase was replaced with a beautiful new timber design with concealed laundry below. “After a few proposals we landed on a built-in library with bookshelves and a large desk up on the mezzanine,” says Kristen.

Notable products feature throughout including Artedomus marble, Cromwell lighting fixtures, the Bell table from The Woodroom, Armadillo & Co rugs and Mokum fabrics. Bathroom and kitchen hardware was sourced from Perrin and Rowe, The English Tapware Company and Brodware.

A standout feature of the home, large bay windows draw the eye in three of the rooms. In the main bedroom, soft roman blinds bring attention to a custom window seat, the living room features a custom tan leather banquette that forms seating for the dining table, and the second bedroom uses the alcove to house an antique desk. “The unique alcoves really make the project special, and each has been given individual purpose, successfully maximising every inch of the available space,” says Kristen.

Overall, the designers were thrilled with the end result. “We loved the aesthetic. The way the stone, fabrics, furniture and colours came together and are bathed in so much natural light makes the home feel at one with its environment.”

Photography: Nicole England

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Mouldings add character and secret door in stunning apartment

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 25, 2022
3 Comments on Mouldings add character and secret door in stunning apartment

When Phillip Alphonse purchased this apartment inside a circa 1910 building in Sydney’s McMahons Point, it hadn’t been renovated in over 40 years save for a cheap bathroom makeover. The home had layout issues, three different floor surfaces, exposed pipes and electrical wiring and an unusable kitchen. But Phillip could see the potential in its beautiful 3.2 metre coffered and ornate ceilings and gorgeous harbour views.

“The apartment is surrounded by gum trees so it felt like somewhat of a treehouse which I liked. I knew I had stumbled on a really special space that was just crying out for attention,” says Phillip who set about renovating the apartment with his mother Vanessa Alphonse, an interior designer.

Lounge dining — BEFORE lounge and dining

Formerly a corporate lawyer, Phillip has made a COVID-inspired pivot to build an interior design career with his mother – the duo have set up AlphaMade, a design and build company focussed on luxury dwellings in Sydney and surrounds.

“Along with many people around Australia and the world, the COVID lockdown gave me some time to reflect on my life path at that point in time and made me confront the fact that the law wasn’t necessarily my true calling,” says Phillip who has always been fascinated by architecture and design. And while on the lookout for his first creative outlet, he thinks the apartment entered his life at just the right time.

“Mum and I have always shared a love for architecture and design and much of my tastes have been influenced by her. It only made sense after I purchased this rundown apartment that we would set out to renovate it together,” says Phillip.

The duo decided they wanted to turn the abode into a grand European inspired apartment with a contemporary Australian touch. The surrounding water and gum trees informed some of the design decisions including the use of timber and shades of green and blue. “The grandeur was infused into the home with mouldings, elaborate light fittings, chevron floors, ceiling roses and marble. Overall, I think we really hit the brief as the home is modern whilst retaining character and a quintessentially Australian feel.”

And while a lot of money was spent on new timber floors, custom joinery and marble, Phillip feels that it’s the apartment’s Intrim mouldings that provided the greatest bang for buck. “The mouldings easily get the most compliments and, in my opinion, made the most impactful difference,” says Phillip. The effect of the new mouldings can be most keenly felt in the living room where full wall mouldings complement the existing coffered ceiling.

Mouldings were also integral in creating a secret door through which the apartment’s study is accessed. “The living room contains the entrance to the study and being able to conceal the study door also helped make the living room feel like the destination space, rather than an awkward walk-through room,” says Phillip.

“The mouldings were the most inexpensive and time-efficient feature to purchase and install. They really gave the space the much-needed character that was lacking when I purchased the property.”

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Minimalist makeover gives dark Melbourne terrace a light new look

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 13, 2022
1 Comment on Minimalist makeover gives dark Melbourne terrace a light new look

Another project by the talented Melbourne architect Bonnie Mills, this Richmond home was renovated recently with a clean, minimalist design aesthetic. “The meticulous detailing and soft, cool hues, create a sense of belonging and peace within the space,” says Bonnie Mills of the once dark and enclosed terrace house that houses a family of three. Northern light has been maximised and the colour scheme lightened up; both aspects make the home feel much more spacious.

Hidden behind an attached miner’s cottage in Richmond, the renovation has also increased the connection to the common areas of the home. “Being an attached terrace house means there are only windows on one side of the house so we needed to get as much north light into the space as possible, as well as maximising access to any possible east light,” says Bonnie.

Bonnie was tasked with levelling out the multi-level kitchen, dining and living area to allow for maximum flow between the spaces. “We increased the light and perception of space by elevating the kitchen to be on the same floor level as the living and dining area,” says Bonnie. The stylish and tranquil new kitchen features Phoenix tapware and Artedomus benchtops.

Central to the renovation, the home’s colour palette was changed from warm, earthy and dark tones to a fresh, cool and light scheme featuring soft timbers and natural stone. “Harmony was further bought to the space by linking the aesthetic of the soft furnishings to the colours within the fixed architectural elements,” says Bonnie.

The diminutive bathroom was overhauled too with the bathtub and shower combined to form a unified wet room and allow for the vanity and toilet to remain within the same space. “The laundry was separated from the bathroom by cleverly creating a nook within the hallway for ease of access and subtlety,” says Bonnie.

Bathroom details — Textured bathroom details

Photography: Elise Scott Studio | Styling: Studio George

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Kitchen reno extends to whole ground floor with great results

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date September 29, 2022
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Located in Melbourne’s Malvern East, this stately Arts and Crafts era home had been extensively renovated in the past but was desperately in need of a contemporary update. “The home had the right quantity of rooms but it lacked the aesthetic finesse and the functional flow that the new owners required,” says interior designer Penny del Castillo who was tasked with updating the home with a touch of Parisian flair.

With five family members who all have a penchant for cooking, the kitchen was the obvious place to begin the overhaul. “We created a larger working kitchen for all five family member chefs in the household,” says Penny of the space that was once so pokey that only one person could cook in it. The redesign also brought in direct natural light, created more storage and also saw the creation of a proper walk-in butler’s pantry.

And while the renovation was only originally only going to include the kitchen, Penny and her team ended up overhauling the entire ground floor of the home. This included the entry, hallway, powder room, guest bedroom, laundry, family room, dining room and master bedroom including ensuite and walk-in-robe. “The overall inspiration for our design was to celebrate the Arts and Crafts era of the original home with a slight Parisian twist,” says Penny.

The master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in-robe received a complete refurbishment. Of note, the master bedroom lacked storage but that has been remedied with a large piece of built-in joinery that houses the owners’ extensive book collection.

The master bedroom is now a much more functional and aesthetically pleasing space too. “In the bathroom, we created more light and separated the shower from the bath,” says Penny who also upgraded the interior of the walk-in-robe to make for more efficient use of space.

The living room was renovated with the cosy space now the perfect spot for a chat or some time alone. “We updated the fireplace and created a bookshelf display area. Also, the owners didn’t want the television to be the centre of attention in the room and we left space for a wall of collected art,” says Penny.

Overall, the owners are thrilled with their ‘new’ home – the way that it flows and functions. “Overall, there has been a massive improvement in spatial planning, without increasing the existing footprint of the property.”