Project Feature: Lilydale home transformed 

Project Feature: Lilydale home transformed 

Working with a home that has good bones can often mean that as a designer, we can update and repurpose rather than having to start from scratch. That was the case with this grand Lilydale home. Our clients had done a beautiful renovation around 15 years ago when the kids were young and were now ready to update their home mixing classic and contemporary elements. We drew on the architecture of the home to inform the style going with a modern farmhouse look. Also key to the design was the need for more layers as the current home while beautiful had a minimalist feel. 

Our concept focused on creating a grounded, warm and inviting home. We wanted to give each space purpose and create destinations throughout the home that our clients could enjoy for many years to come. Collaborating closely with TLC Interiors we worked through the interiors, room by room to review each space. 

We started by updating the colour palette and re-staining the floors, so they were less shiny and orange. Opting for a walnut/charcoal tone gave the space a grounding element with beautiful warmth. We chose a Bremworth wool loop pile carpet in a warm grey colour for soft luxury and easy maintenance. The walls were updated from creamy yellow tones to a soft grey-beige with a crisp white contrast. The other little detail that had a big impact, was the updating of the cabinetry hardware- changing the knob from silver to a black provided a subtle connection between classic and contemporary elements which was repeated throughout the home. 

In the kitchen, the cabinetry was in great shape so we focused on updating the splashback and benchtops. We added a new sink and tap to give this space new life and TLC Interiors added some stunning  feature pendants which became a real focal point in this space. 

The original living room had a fireplace surrounded by some boxed bookshelves either side. We kept the bottom storage in this cabinetry and designed an open arch shelf area with integrated lighting to tie into arch windows in the home . These shelves were one of our favourite parts of this renovation and provided the home a more contemporary feel.  

The bathrooms and laundries were fully renovated to provide more functional and up to date spaces. We opted for a mix of classic and contemporary style with the selection of Carrara marble feature tiles matched with a large format tile for practicality. The Brodware range of tapware was the perfect selection for these spaces. In the laundry, we added additional storage with above head cupboards and a beautiful splashback of handmade tiles. The powder room enjoyed a mini makeover with wallpaper and a new feature wall light and splashback linking it to the main bathroom. 

Finally, the beautiful furniture selection, layering and decor throughout the home by TLC Interiors . They were able to easily balance the client’s needs of making the spaces feel warm and inviting while keeping them uncluttered.  They selected the most tranquil but impactful art pieces and used texture throughout to deliver soft and inviting spaces with new life. 

We hope you love the transformation as much as we do.  To see more on this project click here.

Planning a Reno/Build

Planning a Reno/Build

Want to renovate and enjoy the process – the secret is in the upfront planning.  If you are planning a renovation, here are our top 5 tips to help you enjoy the journey.

GET CLEAR ON YOUR GOALS

When we start thinking about renovating our homes, we are usually working towards a “wishlist”, often inspired by online scrolling, a magazine, favourite holiday or home show.  It’s rare, at this stage, to be thinking of constraints like budget and priorities.  I would suggest noting down your wish list, then work through “A day in the life in your household”   What are the priority areas? What improvements will enhance your lifestyle?

FIND YOUR “A” TEAM:

The usual starting place for people is to engage with an architect, builder or draftsperson. I would recommend taking the time to meet face to face to see if you are the right fit and understand if they will be able to help you meet your design goals. Referrals are usually a good way to do this for building however if you are starting fresh, try asking for recommendations on a local social media group.  Key questions to ask when engaging your “A” team

  • How many jobs do you work on at once?
  • How will you be communicating throughout the renovation
  • Insurances and licensing
  • Ask about viewing past projects and talking to previous clients

Often this team of people are part of your life for 12- 24 months so you want to ensure you have an open and honest working relationship with clear expectations and boundaries on both sides.

MAKE YOUR SELECTIONS EARLY

I have heard it too many times before, “We’ll just workout the selections along the way.”   The more time you invest in doing the work upfront, the more likely you are to meet your budget and timeline while also having a good renovation experience.  If you struggle to visualise how the selections will come together, this is where an interior designer can really help. From turning your goals into a visual concept and then working through each area with you. Joinery design, material and colour selections, even thinking about the skirting, architraves, door handles. With 200+  decisions to make on a full home renovation –decision fatigue is real, With an interior designer on your side you can avoid making any costly or permanent mistakes.

MOVE OUT

If you are doing a larger renovation, consider making room in your budget for a temporary move to another location.  This allows the construction team full access to your home, and they can focus on getting the job done and scheduling trades more dynamically. Often when clients stay in the home, the builder will need to be sensitive to the clients’ movements which can minimise their workdays.  Clients have also reported back that it can be stressful having people in their space all the time can often be frustrating no matter how good the relationship. 

REGULAR CHECKINS

Communication is Key! When you first sign up your team, decide on the best way to communicate with them and a regular check in time, it may be a weekly site meeting or a fortnightly email for general updates and decisions. Whatever you decide on, stick to it so you can minimise issues, manage risks and check progress in the right direction. We recommend a fortnightly email update to keep everything in writing, Calls followed by an email for any urgent issues and a monthly review of budget and timeline for a longer-term project.

In summary, it’s important to remember that the average person probably renovates 2-3 times over their lifetime and often with long breaks in-between.  This is where working with an interior designer can save you money and time. Having access our knowledge, expertise and connection to our supplier network can really set you up for success.  If you need advice about an up-and-coming renovation/ build, contact us here

HERITAGE MASTERCLASS:
featured in Home Beautiful Magazine

Tips on bringing your heritage home into the 21st century – a contemporary renovation. 

Read the full Apple News article here.

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