Tag: reno addict

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

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date February 21, 2023
No Comments on How to do a stylish coastal kitchen makeover for just $500!

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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90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date January 30, 2023
1 Comment on 90’s era abode now bold and fun holiday home

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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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.

Lounge — A skylight floods the moody lounge room with light. A joinery unit separates it from the kitchen.

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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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

For more on The Stylesmiths

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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
No Comments on Kitchen reno extends to whole ground floor with great results

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.”

Photography: Tatjana Plitt

For more on Studio del Castillo

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Brisbane pioneer’s 1912 Queenslander given new lease of life

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date September 15, 2022
3 Comments on Brisbane pioneer’s 1912 Queenslander given new lease of life

Once home to Thomas Mathewson, a pioneering Brisbane photographer, councillor and historian, this beautiful abode has been given a new lease of life by developer Michelle Cao from Mii and Co. “It’s a lovely old Queenslander and was an absolute labour of love for me. To be honest, I didn’t find out it was Thomas Mathewson’s house untll after I’d bought it – I was simply looking for a great development site. But once I learned about the property, the goal was to pay complete respect to him and the place he once called home,” says Michelle of the Auchenflower home.

Thomas Mathewson was born in Scotland in 1842 before emigrating to Australia with his family as a young boy; the family settled in the Ipswich area after travelling the Queensland outback for several years. As an adult, he served as a councillor in what would later become the Brisbane City Council before going into the photography business where he was known as the father of photography in Brisbane.

A passion project for Michelle, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom renovation took eight months to complete and was restored by Crowley Construction. The outside of the home required a lot of restoration given the previous owner had enclosed the veranda while using the home as student accommodation in the 70’s and 80’s. “I just love the striking blue façade and white wraparound veranda. I think Thomas would be thrilled with how it looks now,” says Michelle who also restored the home’s city views in the process.

And in a lovely turn of events, when Thomas’ surviving family heard the home was being restored, a group of them paid it a visit. “They’d heard I was restoring the property and wanted to see for themselves how it was taking shape and, it’s fair to say, they weren’t disappointed. It was such a joy to share the finished product with them,” says Michelle. During the visit, the family re-enacted a family photo from a Christmas Day in the 1920’s and told Michelle stories of how Thomas would go fishing in the Brisbane River.

“It brings me a lot of satisfaction that Thomas’ own family is pleased with the result. It’s more than a home to them, it’s memories. This home could’ve quite easily been demolished with something big and new built in its place but I’m so proud to have restored it.”

Michelle sold the home for $1.48 million after subdividing it and is now building a five-unit apartment complex on the other half of the block, valued at $6.35 million.

For more on Mii and Co.

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Before & after: Hunting for George’s latest transformation

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date June 30, 2022
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The talented duo behind Hunting for George, Lucy Glade-Wright and Jonno Rodd are back with another series of Reno Goals – a renovation series they launched in 2020. This time they’ve taken on the transformation of a 1930s weatherboard beach shack in Victoria’s Lorne and they’ve produced an amazing result.

Located along the Great Ocean Road, the duo restored the ageing home while adding a new extension – it’s now a five-bedroom, five-bathroom beach house with expansive entertaining areas and today we’re focussing on the character-filled kitchen.

“We wanted to retain the nostalgic warm charm of the existing beach house, whilst applying a modern touch throughout the interiors. We combined both warm and cool tones throughout the house to create a neutral base to work from and then accentuated with pockets of eucalyptus green. The kitchen needed to feel nostalgic whilst at the same time being modern and functional,” explains Lucy.

While Lucy and Jonno are no strangers to renovating, this project was different to their last in that it involved a full rebuild and renovation of a large home designed to accommodate a busy and growing family. Creating different spaces to accommodate three generations certainly had its challenges!

“Building during COVID, it was difficult to get products, materials and deliveries on time and not to mention the labour shortage. As we weren’t building in a major city, we had limited access to skilled trades and had to do quite a lot of jobs ourselves,” says Lucy.

They also gave the laundry a complementary look when they renovated it.

Design tips: creating a kitchen that lasts

Given Hunting for George’s renovation experience, we reached out and asked them for their top tips on how to create a future-proof kitchen.

1. Think about the purpose
Anything you select for your home needs to be able to fit the needs of you and your family. We are housing three generations (and growing!), so kitchen cabinetry needed to be functional – for now and for the future. To maximise storage, we ensured the base cabinetry wrapped around the entire kitchen island and opted for an integrated Electrolux dishwasher to achieve a seamless finish.

Integrated dishwasher — The kitchen contains an integrated Electrolux dishwasher

2. Don’t forget about size, space and capacity
Make sure to choose appliances that will suit you and your space beyond the next five years. Are you only catering for only two people, or do you need to consider the potential for a bigger family down the track? Think about space, size and capacity that is appropriate beyond just now. The original oven in the kitchen was tiny, with no head height or room to function effectively. We decided to open this up into a cavity, extending both the width to fit a 90cm freestanding cooker, and the height of shelves in order to keep the original feature but make it more functional.

3. Invest in quality appliances that will stand the test of time
A saying we always think about when it comes to appliances is ‘buy cheap, buy twice’. Appliances are always an investment area for us, while we can save money in other areas of the renovation, like painting ourselves. Make sure to choose appliances early in the design process so when it comes to install, you have exact measurements to support seamless integration into cabinetry for a timeless look.

Lucy Glade-Wright in the kitchen — Hunting for George’s Lucy Glade-Wright in the gorgeous new space

Photography: Jonno Rodd | Interior design & styling: Lucy Glade-Wright for Hunting for George

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Dated Sydney Hills District home given new life

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date June 29, 2022
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Located in Sydney’s Hills District, this family home was renovated and extended recently with interior designer Robyn Hawke of Inspired Spaces at the helm. “The house is home to a family of five with teenage kids. They loved the area, community and location and this renovation and extension resulted in their forever home,” she says.

The project included a complete overhaul of the entry, bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, living and dining room and a new extension has created substantially more liveable space. The extended part of the home has resulted in a larger kitchen with butler’s pantry, more oversized bedrooms, a mud room, an enclosed indoor/outdoor entertaining area and larger garage.

Street appeal
Hugely impactful, the home’s dated exterior was completely overhauled using render to replace dated brown bricks. New windows and doors helped to amplify the street appeal too. “Due to the nature of the block, we couldn’t extend the living areas to the rear,” says Robyn who, in an unusual but necessary move, made the home wider instead.

The entry was modernised with new engineered timber flooring, a new front door, timber cladding on the wall and new lighting. A clean colour palette of blues and neutrals offsets the warm timber details.

Kitchen
The original kitchen was dated and lacked storage – it was difficult to keep decluttered and it was quite an inefficient space overall. “With the focus on lifestyle and entertaining, the new Hamptons inspired kitchen has a large island with ample storage,” says Robyn who also added an expansive butler’s pantry. The extra kitchen space has a separate sink, drawers and shelves that run to the ceiling. “As a result, the kitchen presents tidily, hiding the dirty dishes in the pantry away from view.”

Dining/living
Previously two separate spaces, the dining and living rooms were opened up for a much more modern feel. “We removed the wall between the existing dining and living and were able to create an open and airy space,” says Robyn who reused the room’s white bookcases and dining room table post-makeover.

“We don’t believe in clearing the home of existing furniture or other items that mean something to the client. Here we have reused the white bookcases and dining suite,” says Robyn.

Bathrooms
When it came to the home’s bathrooms, there simply weren’t enough of them. “The distinct lack of bathrooms was a major concern so two extra ensuites and a main bathroom were configured into the floor plan. These are perfect for a growing family and offer privacy for the parents,” says Robyn.

The home’s reconfigured floorplan allowed for an ensuite to be added to the master bedroom. Additionally, the second bathroom is now unrecognisable with its new monochrome scheme that includes hexagonal tiles alongside a black bath and matching tapware.

For more on Inspired Spaces

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Victorian terrace renovation makes excellent use of laneway

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 31, 2022
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Located in Melbourne’s inner south, this stylish, split-level Victorian terrace house was renovated and extended recently with Subtract Architecture steering the ship. Located on just 185sqm, the clever design created 229sqm of light-filled living space. “The design responds to the complexities of a constrained site and explores the use of simple and considered architectural gestures to transform the original heritage-listed dwelling into a spacious, robust and contemporary home,” says architect Dimitry Argentov.

“The client was attracted to the original house due to its heritage features and inherent structural integrity, although they acknowledged that it required a significant restoration,” says Dimitry. Originally dark and damp, with poor natural ventilation and minimal outlook (the home faced a busy road), Dimitry and his team decided to re-orient the house to face the rear laneway.

“It was envisaged that it would become the client’s primary point of access. Subsequently, it was vital to provide an architectural identity to the rear of the house to create a sense of arrival from the laneway,” says Dimitry.

The resulting extension is a contemporary addition that remains hidden from the main road and was designed to contrast with the original heritage home. An elevated terrace, living and dining area sits at the back of the abode and takes full advantage of rear views and neighbouring treetops. Privacy is maintained using integrated timber batten screening and planter beds.

The rear of the home — The home’s laneway is its primary access point

And while the home is narrow it’s no longer dark due to a series of louvre windows and skylights. “A series of high-level louvre windows facing north and west allow for cross ventilation, passively cooling the house during the day and providing ample daylight to the rear extension. Skylights were also installed in the main bathroom, main bedroom and hallway to allow additional daylight to permeate into the centre of the house,” says Dimitry.

The home sports a hard-wearing, sustainable, and cost-efficient materials palette that included painted concrete block and cement sheeting as well as blackbutt timber battens and decking. Internally, blackbutt joinery matches the timber flooring that has been installed throughout the house and chrome fixtures feature in the bathrooms and kitchen, chosen for easy maintenance. “Overall, the design celebrates these modest materials and finishes through careful composition and detailing.”

Hallway — The hallway links the original home with the new extension

Photography: David Kulesza | Styling: Sandford Gay and Hilgar Design Consultants

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Before & after: Dated brick wall becomes star of 1980’s reno

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 28, 2022
1 Comment on Before & after: Dated brick wall becomes star of 1980’s reno

Located in Perth, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom 1980s unit was renovated to sell recently by savvy owner, Deanna Banicek. “I wanted to create a stylish, quality pad that was still within a budget. The style was designed to suit most buyers, but I wanted the unit to have character,” says Deanna, who spent just $29,000 on the incredible transformation. She kept her overheads low by doing a lot of the work herself, sticking to a strict budget and making several low-cost changes that were big on impact.

The original, dated unit was overhauled with new flooring, lighting, paint, window treatments, tiling, door handles and more. The main living space is unrecognisable and that’s despite Deanna resisting the urge to gyprock, or paint, the exposed brick wall. Instead, she re-did the grout and while a painstaking job, it sure did pay off.

“I didn’t Gyprock it because it was not going to be cost effective. It would also have meant removing the cornicing and replacing it which would have created a lot more work. I felt like the apartment needed a feature and the grouted brick helped create an industrial vibe,” says Deanna who credits her mum and dad with helping her with the job that cost just $100 to complete.

AFTER dining. The re-grouted bricks have serious impact!

The kitchen was overhauled with internal Kaboodle cabinetry from Bunnings combined with custom made cupboard fronts (Deanna worked in kitchen design for many years but now works in disability services). “I’m not a huge fan of the Kaboodle white options and they had stock shortages too. We wanted to utilise the space with as much storage as possible also,” says Deanna. The floor tiles, imitation polished concrete, were a bargain picked up from a local tile shop – large format, they were selected to make the narrow kitchen feel larger. Engineered stone bench tops were the kitchen’s biggest splurge.

The bathroom also underwent a fabulous transformation, courtesy of new terrazzo-look tiles, stylish brass tap ware and a new timber vanity. After an exhaustive search, Deanna found inexpensive terrazzo-look floor tiles for the bathroom floor and all the hardware was sourced from Highgrove Bathrooms.

When it came to the outside, lawn was laid instead of establishing an entire garden and Deanna also reused the existing outdoor patio slabs to keep costs down. When it came to selling the property, Deanna engaged The Perth Property Co to style and stage the property before sale – they provided a wonderful finishing touch.

Deanna’s top reno tips

It can be difficult at times because there are many beautiful, expensive items you see when you are shopping but you have to be practical – ultimately, you want to make a profit. You can get quality materials at affordable pricing; you just need to do the research.

Make sure to get a few quotes for trades such as plumbers and electricians because they can vary so much in price.

DIY as much as possible, even if it means a bit of hard work such as tiling and painting.

Reuse existing materials where possible. I reused the outdoor slab pavers because they were in great condition. I painted them with paving paint and there are many cool paver paint colours to choose from.

For more on Perth Property Co

80s home described as “ugly, ugly, ugly!” gets Parisian style makeover

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Tags before and after, diy, interior design, perth, Perth home, real reno, reno addict, renovate

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Sentimental Melbourne holiday home given new lease of life

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 21, 2022
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Home to a retired barrister, this cabin-esque coastal retreat is nestled in a leafy part of Victoria’s Portsea and has been completely overhauled with Construct Melbourne at the helm. “It’s a sentimental family home that has been in the family for generations and we were contracted to complete a major renovation on it,” says managing director Rhyse Mazza, who also happened to win the 2021 Young Builder of the Year (residential) award from the Master Builder Victoria Awards.

The previous home was modest, worn and in need of an overhaul. However, it was hugely important for the owner to stay true to the original 1960s feel. “His family have grown very attached to the home and the design brief was to maintain a true sense of a family friendly coastal retreat while completely it,” says Rhyse.

But the home’s original, dilapidated state meant that ‘renovating’ resulted in completely replicating some of aspects of the home – for instance, the panelled ceiling was entirely recreated. “There is a fine line between restoring and replacing – the client found it very difficult to let go of some features due to sentimental value such as light fittings and the timber feature wall in the lounge,” says Rhyse.

The gorgeous main living area is the beating heart of the home, and it features an abundance of natural light as well as an exposed steel structural beam and local limestone. “We utilised locally sourced limestone for the feature wall and fireplace,” says Rhyse of the hero feature that was the biggest splurge of the project – the limestone alone cost $15,000.

“We are very proud of how the project has a new lease on life, while still staying true to the original home, and being completely renovated. We’ve also managed to maintain that beach holiday house feel.”

Photography: Simon Shiff | Styling: Coastal Living

For more on Construct Melbourne

Real home: Dream holiday house features central firepit

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Tags before and after, Construct Melbourne, interior design, interiors, melbourne, real reno, reno addict, renovate, renovation

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Popular New York paint brand launches in Australia

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date November 16, 2021
No Comments on Popular New York paint brand launches in Australia

Founded in New York in 1883, the leading US paint brand Benjamin Moore has just arrived in Australia and with more than 3,500 colours to choose from, the range has something for every taste and interior style.

“Benjamin Moore recognises Australia’s passion for renovation and is excited to provide homeowners, interior decorators and painters with exceptional paints in unique and unmatchable colours,” says Brian Hamilton, general manager of Tenaru, the Australian distributor.

Interestingly, the company uses its own proprietary colourants in manufacturing which means that they can never be matched by other brands.

“The Benjamin Moore difference is its quality ingredients, process and Gennex colour technology, which deliver truer colours, a long-lasting result, and reduces the need to repaint over time,” says Brian.

Benjamin Moore 'Hint of Violet' — Benjamin Moore’s ‘Hint of Violet’ paint colour

In other news for the brand, it recently announced its Colour of the Year alongside a 2022 Colour Trends palette that draws inspiration from flowers. The Colour of the Year, October Mist 1945, is a gentle sage green that is complemented by the rest of the trends palette that includes a variety of tranquil shades including lilac, linen and yellow.

Benjamin Moore’s October Mist was named the brand’s Colour of the Year

Different flowers and their green stems were explored, when coming up with the latest palette. “By using greens as connecter colours, homeowners and interior decorators can be creative with colour to bring an overall colour scheme together.”

Currently available to buy online only.

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Self-taught DIY queen gives tradies a run for their money

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 26, 2021
No Comments on Self-taught DIY queen gives tradies a run for their money

Growing up in a small town, Melbourne’s Nicole Herrick saw first-hand just how resourceful her mother had to be. “My mum can make or fix anything – we call her MacGyver. We didn’t have access to many stores so if we needed anything she just headed down to the shed and made it,” says Nicole who was clearly inspired by this impressive role modelling. When she left home for university, Nicole asked for a drill and basic tool set for Christmas and, since then has amassed over 40 power tools as well as 16k YouTube followers who tune in to see her inspiring DIY home decor projects.

A graphic designer by trade, Nicole worked in the architecture and interiors industry as an in-house graphic design manager for many years. She now works as a photographer by day and when it comes to DIY, is entirely self-taught. “I’ve been uploading little tips to YouTube for over 10 years and only started taking it seriously about three years ago when I realised my videos were helping a lot of people make and fix things. I also saw the potential to earn a side income,” says Nicole.

“We’ve been told all our lives that the men need to use the power tools for us because they’re ‘too dangerous’ but that is complete garbage. It’s incredibly empowering the first time I use a new tool. There’s nothing like the feeling of being able to create absolutely anything my mind can dream up, without having to ask for help,” says Nicole.

Nicole recently put her impressive skill set to use converting her friend Mitra’s garage into a fabulous art studio. For inspiration, she researched warehouse style art studios with a very simple style and set out to make the single car garage feel as spacious as possible. To this end, Nicole painted the garage’s dark brick walls white and added some warmth with plywood and pops of green.

AFTER: The former garage is unrecognisable!

“Initially my design didn’t include adding a wall or sliding door and windows but when I saw one for free on Facebook marketplace, I knew it would transform the space to become a ‘real’ room, not just a converted garage,” says Nicole. Incredibly, Nicole hadn’t ever built a wall and installed a sliding door before but a few YouTube videos showed her all that was required. “All I needed was a few studs, some insulation, plasterboard, external cladding, trim and caulking and the job was done!” says Nicole.

Studio storage was found on Facebook Marketplace and is comprised of second hand wardrobes and cabinets that Mitra painted in the evenings. To bring all the mismatched furniture together, Nicole made custom leather drawer pulls and handles. The studio workbench was built by Nicole (it features legs found for free on Facebook Marketplace) and a giant pegboard acts as a display board for Mitra’s work.

Nicole working on the studio's workbench — Nicole working on the studio’s workbench

“My Youtube channel is DIY focused and all about creating, building and fixing things. From how to fix a toilet to full room makeovers, pretty much everything I teach I’m doing for the first time, so they get all the info from a beginner’s perspective rather than an expert. My mother always said that a woman can do anything that a man can do, and that you shouldn’t let anyone tell you differently!”

Follow Nicole on YouTube | Follow Nicole on Instagram

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Wall panelling: Laminex has an exciting new offering!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date August 10, 2021
3 Comments on Wall panelling: Laminex has an exciting new offering!

The latest wall panel solution to hit what is an ever-expanding scene, Surround by Laminex is a new range of profiles designed to help add texture and personality to your home. And with eight fabulous designs to choose from, we’re rather excited about the endless decorating opportunities that the range represents. And as a bonus, the collection of pre-primed MDF wall linings are easy to use, making them perfect for a weekend DIY project.

The Batten 25 wall panel design painted with Dulux Clay

From a gorgeous, scalloped design to a classic VJ or heritage profile, the ready made decorative surface panels are made for the indoors (ie. they’re not suitable for wet areas) and are a fabulous way to add depth and interest to a hallway, bedroom, mudroom, or main living area. Comprised of sustainably sourced timber and medium-density fibreboard, the panels are available in a standard sheet that can be painted the colour of your choosing, once installed.

“When conceptualising Surround by Laminex, quality and ease of application were two key factors. The panels are durable and hardwearing, whilst still being easy to install. Surround by Laminex really is a product like no other,” says Sacha Leagh-Murray, general manager of sales and marketing.

'Scallop 45' and 'Scallop 22.5' look fabulous paired together. They are painted in Deluxe White Duck Quarter — Scallop 45 and Scallop 22.5 look fabulous paired together. They are painted in Dulux White Duck Quarter

Sustainably manufactured in Australia, the range is created with medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and the timbers of the collection are sustainably sourced too.

The Batten 100 design is a modern, masculine take on classic timber panelling that features defined boards separated by deep, straight-edged grooves. Similar, but much smaller in scale, Batten 25 is a statement narrow board that features defined edges and deeper routing.

'Batten 100' painted in Dulux Maximus — Batten 100 painted in Dulux Maximus

The Classic VJ 100 is as it sounds – classic tongue and groove panelling offers a timeless look in just about any space and this design features linear boards separated by vertical joins (VJ). Heritage 150 is ideal for period homes and, with its wider boards defined by curved joints, it’s an update on the more traditional timber panels

Scallop 45 has a uniquely rounded, undulating curved profile that creates a luxe statement, while Scallop 22.5 is similar but narrower in width. The Demi Round 40 is another softly curved profile that is well suited to both full and half-wall applications and its little sister, the Demi Round 20, features narrow curved rods.

Surround by Laminex — The Scallop 22.5 design painted in Dulux Winter Sea

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Tags diy, laminex, reno addict, renovating, renovation, wall panelling, wall panels

Bathrooms DIY Expert Tips Interviews Laundry Real Renos RENO ADDICT Reno Products

Budget renos: Amazing bathroom and laundry updates for $700 each

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date July 13, 2021
No Comments on Budget renos: Amazing bathroom and laundry updates for $700 each

With the cost of renovating wet rooms ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, it’s little wonder that people often delay the process or avoid it altogether. And while some people are handy on the tools, most of us must look to a professional when it comes to laying tiles, grout and replacing outdated cabinetry.

But one budget option worth considering is the always-evolving world of renovation paint, as demonstrated by the fabulous bathroom and laundry makeovers we’re bringing to you today. Incredibly, both of them were carried out for just $700 each.

Created with the Dulux Renovation range, these wet rooms were updated for a fraction of the cost of engaging a professional. With a simple paint brush, paint roller or a spray gun application, the product can be used to refresh everything from tiled flooring and walls, plastic and vinyl cabinet doors, through to stone or laminate benchtops. There’s even a nifty grout pen that will whiten stained and painted grout, meaning you can avoid re-grouting altogether.

As for this particular bathroom makeover, an all-white space was completely transformed with pastel paint colours and pops of timber for a gorgeous nature-inspired look. And it’s a look endorsed by Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Those looking for a little nod to decades past can try peach tone colours or pink neutrals like Dulux Vintage Beige on cabinetry and cupboards to draw the eye up and away,” says Andrea.

Unsurprisingly, when it comes to bathroom renovations, white is an enduring favourite, particularly on the walls and vanity tiles. “White is flattering on the skin under both natural and artificial light – important where mirrors are frequently used – and can make a space appear bigger than it actually is,” says Andrea.

As for the laundry makeover, the soothing grey-toned Dulux Ticking made all the difference to the dated beige bench tops. “Adding a bold accent colour, like a deep blue or light grey, to your bench tops can help delineate the space and give the room a contemporary and fresh appeal. Finish the look with a woven laundry basket and wooden hangers to tie in with your natural timber windows,” says Andrea.

Styling: Heather Nette King | Photography: GOS4 MEDIA and David Mitchener

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Tags bathroom, dulux, laundry, paint, real reno, reno, reno addict, renovating

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DIY reno solution: How to overhaul your kitchen for just $700!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date June 1, 2021
No Comments on DIY reno solution: How to overhaul your kitchen for just $700!

We love an affordable DIY renovation solution around here so when Dulux shared a couple of budget kitchen makeovers with us recently, we couldn’t click through fast enough. Created for just $700 each with the Dulux Renovation range, the results are rather impressive. And with the average kitchen renovation costing around $21,000, and taking upwards of a month to complete, it’s no surprise that many of us are turning to paint for a fast and inexpensive solution.

A water-based interior paint range, the Dulux Renovation range is ideal for wet and high-use zones such as the kitchen. The formula is tailored to cabinets, tiles, benchtops, grout and floors making it the ideal solution for a budget kitchen reno. And rather than waiting for lengthy cabinetry installs or bench top and tile replacements, the product lets you renovate a kitchen over a few days.

And when it comes to colour selection, Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr has plenty of advice for would-be kitchen renovators. “Whether it is a high-end, luxurious look and feel you wish to create (as might be seen in your favourite restaurant) or a more relaxed, lived-in space for the whole family to enjoy, the right colours and products can make all the difference,” says Andrea.

For those who favour classic looks, Andrea suggests pairing Dulux Domino or Malay Grey on the benchtop or tiled floor and pairing it with a warm white like Dulux Natural White on splash back tiles. “This creates a classic and sophisticated look that can be tweaked over time with kitchen accessories and stainless-steel appliances,” says Andrea.

From navy to teal and cornflower, blue kitchen cabinetry has been steadily increasing in popularity of late and it’s a look that is fairly easy to achieve according to Andrea. “Mid-tone blues, reds and pinks can be used for a daring and playful effect in the kitchen. For example, cornflower blues on cabinets or cabinet doors, complemented with soft grey on handles, can be tied together with a warm white like Dulux Whisper White on the tiles and walls for a statement look,” says Andrea.

For more

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Tags diy, dulux, interviews, kitchen, kitchen reno, paint, real reno, reno addict

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Knockdown or renovate? Expert tips to help you decide

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date May 20, 2021
No Comments on Knockdown or renovate? Expert tips to help you decide

The old home on this site was poorly oriented. A new build remedied this.

Whether your family has grown in size, or your house is looking a little tired, you might be weighing up the pros and cons of renovating versus demolishing and starting afresh. It’s a quandary that Melbourne architect Anna Dutton, of Bower Architecture, sees all the time and she’d like to help our readers put some clarity around the issue.

“This week I chatted to some really lovely potential clients who had mid-century houses, and they were struggling with whether they should renovate or create a new home. It’s a question we get so often that I thought it might be worthwhile to share our thoughts with anyone else who is facing the same challenge,” says Anna.

This Bower Architecture new build sits atop a demolition site

While renovating can produce a great result from a design, sustainability and cost perspective, Anna stresses that a home must pass a simple three question test to figure out if it’s worthy of demolition or an overhaul.

Is your home structurally sound?
Is the house or building in good structural condition? Answer with a ‘yes’ if it feels solidly built and there are no large cracks appearing, no springy squeaky floors, no damp on the walls (or on your nose!) and if the walls and floors are straight or level.

Are you happy with your home’s room sizes?
Are the majority of the rooms a good size to be re-used? Answer ‘yes’ to this one if you could imagine re-purposing most of the spaces with a continued or new use. For example, in an existing house, are the bedrooms a size that you are happy with keeping? Are bathroom spaces large enough to be re-used?

Bower Architecture new build — The owners of this home decided to start afresh because the old one had small room sizes

Does your home have good bones?
Finally, does the house or building have some architectural character and do you actually like it? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece but if it has something interesting to you, and some charm, answer ‘yes’ to this question.

“For the house or building to be an ideal candidate for a renovation, you need to have answered ‘yes’ to all three of these questions. If you have answered yes to only two you could have a renovator on your hands, but it may be similar in cost to a rebuild. If it is a ‘no’ to all, a new project will probably be your best option financially,” says Anna.

And while we love a one-size-fits-all approach (I mean, who doesn’t want this issue resolved in three simple steps?), there is one factor that completely nullifies the above. And that is a matter of the heart – are you emotionally attached to your existing home? Has your home been in the family for years or has it been the backdrop to many amazing memories? “If this is the case a renovation is the only way forward even if you have answered ‘no’ to all of the questions above.”

For more

How to budget your next kitchen renovation

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Tags architect, architecture, building, design, designer, expert advice, interior design, interview, melbourne, reno addict, renovating, renovation