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Real reno: tired rental transformed into chic owner-occupied abode

By Amy Collins-Walker •

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After several years of hard time as a rental, this Sydney apartment undertook a major cosmetic renovation when its owner decided to move back in, and the results are fabulous.

Before Kitchen

BEFORE kitchen

After kitchen AFTER kitchen

From paint to lighting, window coverings, flooring and storage, the apartment was entirely stripped back making way for a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and two bedrooms – all in under four months.

“The client wanted a contemporary home with a touch of luxury and she loved black and white,” says interior designer and decorator Anoushka Allum of Smartspace Interiors who accented the monochromatic colour brief with pops of bright colour.

Before laundry BEFORE laundry

After laundry AFTER laundry

“We had a generous budget, given the size of the apartment, which allowed me to use premium features,” says Anoushka.

“The bathroom was the biggest concern, as the client wanted a full sized bath and to achieve this we had to remove a wall,” says Anoushka who used on-trend black bathroom fixtures, and a black and white cement floor tile, for a contemporary finish.

Before bathroom

BEFORE bathroom

After bathroom AFTER bathroom

The bathroom layout was altered completely to improve its use of space and to allow for the addition of a bath and storage.

The laundry floorplan was reconfigured and major cosmetic changes were made to overhaul the space too. “I added extra lighting and a colourful yellow splash back to make this windowless area brighter,” says Anoushka.

Web Bathroom Lane Cove 2 AFTER bathroom

The black and white theme continued in the kitchen which features a black counter, white subway tile and the same floor tile as the bathroom, for continuity – TeraNova supplied the tiles throughout.

The shaker-style doors add a classic element to what is an otherwise contemporary scheme and Castlewood Kitchens created all of the apartment’s new cabinetry.

Web Bedroom Lane Cove 1 AFTER main bedroom

AFTER living room
AFTER living room

One major change, that you wouldn’t necessarily notice at first, is the addition of thoughtful storage – essential for keeping the interior tidy and making it seem larger. “The introduction of quality storage in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom improved functionality and allows for an uncluttered space,” says Anoushka.

Web Study Lane Cove AFTER study

Soft furnishings had a major part to play too with the finishing touches providing colour and texture throughout – King Living, BoConcept, Globe West, Forty Winks and La Maison were the main suppliers. Abstract prints, Morrocan-printed wallpaper and touches of elegant grey all worked to transform the space into a stylish, contemporary abode.

Web living room extra AFTER lounge room

“I added artworks, accessories and soft furnishings and the results were striking. The design has created an impactful first impression which is fun and vibrant whilst still elegant and cohesive,” says Anoushka.

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January 19, 2016

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Looking for a little inspo for your 2026 kitchen a Looking for a little inspo for your 2026 kitchen and laundry projects? Look no further than @kaboodlekitchen's free digital download edit magazine. Featuring trends commentary from yours truly!

Find out more via link in bio/stories now.

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I've been meaning to post about getting out of hos I've been meaning to post about getting out of hospital in time for Christmas and spending a magical time with my beautiful family and friends for days now, but I was staying in the moment and off my phone. My wish came true and it really was amazing to enjoy that Santa magic.

Sadly, the day after Boxing Day, I ended up back in an ambulance after an internal bleed where my hemoglobin levels dropped dangerously low. I'm not very good at explaining the medical side, but after surgery and a couple of nights in ICU, I'm now on a ward and recovering well, hoping I get to return home ASAP.

I have so many thank yous to say for the incredible GoFundMe donations and kindness and support I've received. I really am blown away and so grateful. There are so many good people in the world, both strangers and those I'm lucky enough to know.

And having now received 6 bags of blood transfusion myself, another huge shout out to all donors. I felt so good to know I've done my bit donating over the years when I received someone else's life saving donation. Please consider doing the same and potentially saving a life.

Before ending up back in hospital, I was settling in well at home with daily visits from nurses and I'm hoping I can get back to that new normal again soon. 

Thank you again to everyone for their kindness. And biggest thanks to @damianfrancis for truly spoiling me at Christmas and once again holding the fort at home. Our boys are so lucky to have you ❤️
Edit: the winner of this giveaway is @wholehearted Edit: the winner of this giveaway is @wholeheartedstudio Congratulations Hayley!

To thank you all for your beautiful messages of support after sharing my very vulnerable big news the other day, I've teamed up with the talented @katenixon_official to give one follower the chance to win this stunning prize worth almost $600.

It includes:

Ines 3-Piece Marble Bathroom Set (soap dispenser, tumbler and tray) worth $169

Ines Marble Bowl, worth $135

Ines Marble Container with Wooden Lid, worth $79

Lola Marble Tray, worth $89

Sawar Scalloped Bowl, worth $109

They're all part of NOMAD by KATE NIXON, the Sydney interior designer's considered new curation of beautiful, storied objects for the home.

For your chance of winning, please follow @interiorsaddict and @katenixon_official, tell us the name of the collection and tag 2 friends by midnight Sydney time on Sunday 14 December 2025. Winner will be chosen at random and announced here. 

You can even style the marble trays and bowls elsewhere in the home – why should the bathroom get all the fun?!

Good luck. Giveaway is not endorsed by or associated with Meta in any way. Open to Australian residents only. 

#katenixon #sydneyinteriordesigner #luxurybathroomdesigns #bathroomstyles
Trigger warning: cancer. Home is SO important to Trigger warning: cancer.

Home is SO important to me, I even made a job out of talking about it. And having been stuck in hospital for 5 weeks, away from my sanctuary and my boys, I've never craved it more. 

I'm going through the hardest time of my life and I'm finally sharing it here in the way I hope you've always known me to; with authenticity, realness and hope.

I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It's devastating and life-changing news and feels very vulnerable to share. Sadly it's causing me so much physical pain, I can't manage it at home. Being stuck in hospital, on top of keeping this secret, has been very isolating. 

Our precious boys are our number one priority and we are being very well supported by our medical team and amazing friends and family. I can't say enough about the huge role my husband is playing in keeping us together.

I've continued to work when possible because I love it and it's a big part of my identity. I want as much normalcy, distraction and positivity as possible right now. Some days I put my lipstick on and face the day with gratitude for all the good stuff, like my world class friends and amazing healthcare. But I'm only human and other days, I just can't.

Despite the gravity of the situation, I only have to look at my boys to know I cannot give up hope. 

Thanks for all the love and support I know you'll throw my way but please respect my boundaries by not asking medical questions or making medical suggestions, and know that I won't be able to reply to everyone. 

This beautiful community has supported me for over a decade and I'm sure your kindness will help me no end. And if you want to support me, keep reading the blog so my work isn't wasted!

I'll still be the main point of contact for Interiors Addict but things will look a little different as I continue my chemo (3 rounds down) and get used to my new way of life. 

Right now, my only wish is to be discharged to my family for Christmas. 

Because I can no longer give blood, if anyone would like to make a festive donation of blood or plasma on my behalf and share it with me here, that would really make my day ❤️

PS. Nurses are worth their weight in gold.
This modular home was built in 6 weeks and install This modular home was built in 6 weeks and installed in just 4 days and can even be added to later if its family outgrow it. It's @mill.built's first prefabricated modular home – a breakthrough in speed, performance and affordability. And it sits in the Yarra Valley's net zero carbon estate, @liveatthecape , which is Australia's first.

Head to the blog now via link in bio to read all about the latest in sustainable living.

#prefabhomes #prefab #modularhomes #prefabhouse
You know what I love? Pink & red together! And str You know what I love? Pink & red together! And stripes! And bows! If you do too, @kmartaus Christmas stuff is starting to drop and you won't be disappointed. It's also largely generic enough that you could use it all year round, if that's your vibe.

See more on the homepage now, via link in bio.

#kmartchristmas #kmarthome #pinkandred #pinkandred #stripesonstripes #christmastabledecoration
Fanciest matchbox EVER. Fact. Swipe for silver. W Fanciest matchbox EVER. Fact. Swipe for silver.

Who wouldn't LOVE one of these as a gift?! $69 from @blackblazesydney's new Vesper collection. Available to preorder now. 

Comment 'matches' and we'll DM you all the details.

This is a great way to elevate your everyday!

#matchbooks #matches #littleluxuries #housewarminggiftideas
This once 90s kitchen is now reflective of the Mid This once 90s kitchen is now reflective of the Mid Century home it's the heart of, and its stylish owners who love vintage glass and other Marketplace finds.

Head to the blog via link in bio to see more of this transformation by @howardlanedesigns Designer Tamiko Gleeson says: "I love that the kitchen now truly serves Peter and Trish – functionally and aesthetically. While every finish is new, there’s a bold sense of nostalgia and confidence in the selections. I love the Jamaican Walnut joinery with its subtle peek of Botanical Green, and the vertical timber slats in the sliding doors and wall-hung bar.

“I love the checkered tiles on the splashback and the way they add a playful rhythm to the space. But what I love most is how the design shines even brighter when layered with their Facebook Marketplace finds."

Suppliers can be found in the blog post.

#mcmkitchen #midcenturykitchen #mcminteriors #checkerboardtiles 

Pix @bridietomkinsphotography
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. WAM Home Decor says

    January 20, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Great tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, love the floral touch with the cushions too. Very elegant.

  2. Steve says

    January 29, 2016 at 5:38 am

    As far as your kitchen is considered, you can consider re-facing the cabinet doors instead of replacing the cabinetry entirely. It seems to be an economical alternative. You can also consider having your existing doors spray-painted. Secondly, go for ceiling lighting. While these have a huge effect on the entire feel of your kitchen, on the other hand they appear to be an updated energy-efficient version with little or no repairs.

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