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

By Amy Collins-Walker • 1 Comment

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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.

BEFORE lounge
BEFORE lounge
AFTER lounge
AFTER lounge

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.

BEFORE dining
BEFORE dining
AFTER dining
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.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

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.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

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.

BEFORE bedroom
BEFORE bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER bedroom

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.
BEFORE backyard
BEFORE backyard
AFTER backyard
AFTER backyard

For more on Perth Property Co

Kitchen
80s home described as “ugly, ugly, ugly!” gets Parisian style makeover
Built in the 1980’s this large Sydney family home, located in Bellevue Hill, was in serious need of a facelift…
Real reno: Perth heritage cottage gets luxe hotel vibe
Nestled in the historic Perth suburb of East Fremantle, this heritage-listed workers’ cottage was transformed into a modern family home…

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March 28, 2022

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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
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag 👌🏻

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too 🍿 because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! 😍)

Annie’s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). “I made it in tribute to Australia and I’m thrilled to say that’s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. It’s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green that’s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.”

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
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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

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AFTER lounge

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Comments

  1. AvatarMartin says

    September 7, 2022 at 9:05 am

    Just wondering about the brick wall. Were the grout lines painted? It says they were re-grouted but that would have been an horrendous task if the joints had to be chiselled out first and then re-grouted. Or was a grout applied over the existing mortar to be flush with the brick? It’s hard to see without a closeup image. Would love to know more. Thank you.

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