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An amazing Cape Cod inspired before & after in Sydney

By Amy Collins-Walker • 1 Comment

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As we’ve seen many times over the last few years, the trickle-down effects of the pandemic are many and varied. One of many people to have undergone a COVID-induced career pivot, Sydney high school teacher Sabina Contreras decided to put her interior design diploma to excellent use by starting her own renovation business. Passionate travellers, Sabina and her husband Andy decided that Sydney’s lockdown period was the right time to start renovating homes – something they had longed to do. 

BEFORE
BEFORE front of the home
AFTER
AFTER front of the home

But the COVID effect didn’t stop there as the couple channelled their collective wanderlust into the overhaul of this 1960’s Baulkham Hills home, turning it into a modern Cape Cod inspired family abode over a 12-month period. “We love travelling so it’s important that our projects have that ‘holiday at home’ feeling. A lot of people have told us that this home feels like a resort and I truly believe that beautiful interiors are a wonderful way of elevating your mood,” says Sabina who juggles renovating with part-time teaching work whilst parenting the couple’s two young sons.

BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

Built in the late 1960’s, the original house was the first display home in Baulkham Hills – it had only had one owner prior to Sabina and Andy buying the property. “It was in original condition and felt like a time warp. The kitchen could have been from The Brady Bunch and there was lots of shaggy carpet and yellow and green wallpaper,” says Sabina who had an entirely different vision for the home. Inspired by her travels to New England, she set about creating a modern take on a traditional Cape Cod house – the home’s fireplace the most obvious homage.

AFTER lounge room
AFTER lounge room
AFTER lounge
AFTER lounge room

“The large stone fireplace is the highlight of the home, and the Samsung Frame TV looks really great within it it,” says Sabina. The home’s other standout materials include light oak and Moroccan Zellige tiles – Sabina used an authentic handmade one as well as a more affordable one. “I honestly couldn’t tell the difference though because the cheaper ones are made to look handmade,” says Sabina.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

Upstairs, Sabina saw the home’s original dormer windows as a design challenge but what was wasted space in each room is now extra storage. “We put upholstered seats and storage under each window. The rooms have nice light, so they are great spots to curl up and read,” says Sabina who worked hard to install as much storage as possible throughout the renovation – she believes that storage is key to making a home feel calmer. “It makes life so much easier when everything has its place,” says Sabina.

BEFORE bedroom
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER bedroom

Another nod to Cape Cod design, the alfresco features exposed beams and a high-pitched roof as well as stone pavers. “The pavers look like they could be really old, and we laid them traditionally as I wanted the home to remain true and didn’t want to modernise it completely,” says Sabina.

AFTER alfresco
AFTER alfresco

As for the challenges experienced throughout the project – renovating during an extended COVID lockdown proved the most difficult part. “A lot of people thought we were crazy tackling this during COVID and we’d just had a baby. But I’m so glad that I stuck to it. My best advice would be that if one trade says ‘no’ then try someone else. There is always a way.”

AFTER study
AFTER study
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

This home goes under the hammer this Saturday August 20, 2022.

For more of Sabina’s renovation escapades

Before & after: Stylist shares how she made over rental home
We’re massive proponents of colour around here, and today’s before and after is a great reminder of just how transformative…
AFTER kitchen
Before & after: Hunting for George’s latest transformation
The talented duo behind Hunting for George, Lucy Glade-Wright and Jonno Rodd are back with another series of Reno Goals…

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August 15, 2022

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
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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/

More from Before & Afters

Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW

Will's favourite room in the home

Before & after: rundown boarding house to beautiful heritage home

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New bathroom & laundry layout brings beauty and functionality

AFTER lounge

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Comments

  1. AvatarPaige Woodford says

    October 28, 2022 at 1:04 pm

    This looks amazing. What a fantastic renovation. Well done!

    Reply

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