Tag: real renovation

New bathroom & laundry layout elevates coastal home reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 14, 2023
No Comments on New bathroom & laundry layout elevates coastal home reno

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

Architecture Before & Afters Design House Tours Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

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.

AFTER master bedroom — AFTER Dulux Sicily Sea features in the master bedroom.

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

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Real reno: Mid-century extension frames garden views

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 5, 2019
No Comments on Real reno: Mid-century extension frames garden views

Nestled in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Williamstown, this home was purchased several years ago as a ‘forever home’ for its inhabitants – a family of five including two teenage girls and their dog Lucky. The original double-fronted Victorian home had a 1990’s addition at the rear which no longer met the needs of the family, which is where architect Sandi Kuzman came in to design a Mid Century-inspired extension at the back.

“With the girls growing up, the house needed to be upgraded and expanded to accommodate the changing needs of the family and to better reflect their lifestyle,” says Sandi. The original addition lacked spatial connections, had minimal natural light, poor heating and cooling and virtually no connection to the rear garden.

“The brief for this project was to bring in more natural light, make the communal spaces more liveable and connected, create a strong relationship between the house and garden, provide an environmentally responsive home and maintain the heritage features of the original house,” says Sandi who was also tasked with indulging the owners’ love of Mid Century Modernism. Quite the tick list!

The back of the home as seen from the garden

The new extension features a living room, TV den, dining room, kitchen with butler’s pantry and indoor/outdoor deck and the main aim was to connect and blur the boundaries between old and new, inside and out. Sandi developed a concept of ‘frames’ to this end.

“The design is all about framing spaces and views, both internally and externally. Externally, simple black forms frame the much-loved old pear tree and an opening to the sky above. The window seat and timber battened deck are treated likewise, as the viewer looks from the outside in, and from the inside out.”

The den features a double fronted fireplace that services the room behind and offers views all the way through to the backyard

Day bed — A custom day bed provides a place to relax in the den

One of the most frequented spots in the house is the dining room window seat – itself another frame that serves a variety of uses for the family. “It’s a quiet reading nook, a spill out space at parties, a platform to catch the morning sun, a stage for their children’s performances, a debriefing station at the end of the day, and if that’s not enough it’s also a handy storage space!”

The black kitchen sits within the living spaces but it’s a standout element in its own right – the concealed butler’s pantry forms a pod in the centre of the home. “The owner loves to cook and enjoys her daughters getting involved around the island bench. The cooktop is front and centre with a view to the garden too,” says Sandi.

Walk-in butler's pantry — Walk-in butler’s pantry

The home’s materials are on the raw, minimal side with Australian hardwood timbers and veneers combined with white plasterboard, matte black cabinetry, vertical subway tiles, soft grey stone benchtops, custom black steel details and expanses of glass rounding out the mix.

And as for Sandi’s proudest design moment, she is very happy with the way the home has fostered a variety of connections for its owners. “Connections between internal spaces, between inside and outside, between old and new, between inhabitants, and between client and architect. We still catch up for a glass of wine from time to time.”

Photography: Tatjana Plitt

For more on Kuzman Architects | Another sophisticated renovation in Melbourne

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Real reno: Alexandria factory conversion comes together

Post author By Phoebe Bates
Post date August 30, 2018
No Comments on Real reno: Alexandria factory conversion comes together

This beautiful factory-conversion in Alexandria was designed by Laura Downie of Studio 1 Interiors. The design brief was simple; the Collier Family had a newly renovated house but in their words, “it just didn’t quite feel finished”.

“This family’s dilemma is one I come across quite regularly,” says Laura. “Following the renovation of their home, often people don’t quite know how to finish it. Either their previous furniture doesn’t quite seem right in the new space or they’re afraid to buy anything new which won’t go with their new reno and spoil it!”

The result is a modern, functional space that showcases the simplicity and clean lines of Scandinavian design. Yet the soft colour palette and natural finishings (think a mix of timbers, rattan and wool) create a cosy family home with plenty of personality.

Art from Mondocherry and Anya Brock helped inject some colour into the open plan living and dining space. The colour palette of both works influenced the soft furnishing choices and the subtle blue hues which continue throughout the home, creating a wonderful sense of flow.

A huge rattan pendant from Ahoy Trader and the spirit rug from Indigo Love helped zone the dining space and make it cosy in the evening.

The clients wanted their master bedroom to be a real sanctuary. In this room the blue hues continue in an artwork from Penny Farthing Design House in Balmain. Fresh bed linen and side lamps, plus the addition of hanging plants and a large wool rug under the bed help to soften the timber tones of the floor and bedroom furniture.

A beautiful desk space where the lady of the house can write, do her make-up or just take a moment to pause before the day starts was also incorporated into the master bedroom. Laura selected the Ethnicraft Oak PC console from ClickOn Furniture and finished off the look with an oversized round mirror.

“Laura was great. We’d recently renovated our house but just couldn’t get our act together to make it look like a home,” says the client, Elissa Collier. “She helped us turn our space into a beautiful and functional home. She helped us purchase products that worked with our own style and just we love it.”

More on Laura Downie and Studio 1 Interiors

Looking for more renovating inspo? Take a look at Blockheads Kyal & Kara’s beachside sanctuary

Tags family homes, grey interiors, Laura Downie, modern homes, real reno, real renovation, scandi design, scandi style

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This award-winning London home sprawls over seven levels!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 31, 2018
No Comments on This award-winning London home sprawls over seven levels!

While Aussie design talent is our focus here at Interiors Addict, occasionally a fabulous overseas project piques our interest. Located in Jen’s motherland, this award-winning London terrace renovation spreads over seven sensational storeys and we think you’ll love it as much as we do.

Kitchen – we’re loving that marble splash back

“The brief was to create a contemporary family home, not in a stark clinical sense, but rather, colourful and practical,” says LLI Design director Sam Lee, the firm responsible for the renovation. Said colour is scattered throughout the home, with a recurring blue theme and also in the form of the owners’ large collection of vintage travel posters.

The kitchen dining area features bespoke upholstered banquette seating

At 3500 square feet in size, and with generous rooms, the central renovation challenge revolved around changing the home’s flow. “Overall, the rooms seemed disconnected from each other without flow or relationship between them. The staircase and hallways were poorly lit and had a gloomy feel too,” says Sam who brought light into the staircase by adding extra skylights on the top floor and a floor-to-ceiling window on the third-floor landing. The seven levels are connected by a central core staircase.

The key to the overall success of the design was to re-think the dynamics of all the spaces and change the existing layouts to provide flow,” says Sam of the project that recently won an award in the ‘Interior Design London’ category of the United Kingdom Property Awards.

Bespoke joinery in one of the children’s bedrooms

And when it comes to fabulous design features, a standout space is one of the children’s bedrooms. “On the fourth floor, bedrooms two and three and the accompanying ensuite bathroom were redesigned as personal spaces for the family’s children. In bedroom two we designed a fun, mid-height bed unit with storage shelves to be used as steps up to the bed and a den underneath with sliding doors,” says Sam.

A fabulous reading nook is concealed beneath the bed

The fourth floor also contains the children’s ensuite complete with unique feature tiles and custom blue joinery. “We redesigned the bathroom with more storage and specified interesting feature tiles,” says Sam.

The formal living room is an inviting space, the hero of which is the statement fireplace and log feature. “We removed the existing fireplace and designed and installed a contemporary bespoke Pietra Serena stone fireplace with clean confident lines,” says Sam who also designed bespoke storage and display units either side. “We also specified a large and very comfortable L shaped sofa and ottoman as well as some comfy armchairs with tables and lamps beside them,” says Sam.

“The utility room featured bespoke joinery units to accommodate an airing cupboard, washing machine and dryer. They were installed at waist height with washing baskets under so there was no need to bend down to change over the washing,” says Sam. An unexpected feature wall of Cole & Son’s iconic Fornasetti “Clouds” wallpaper completes the space.

Tags colour, design, home reno, home renovation, interior, interior design, interior designer, interiors, kids rooms, kitchen, london, real home, real reno, real renovation, reno, renovating, renovation