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Brisbane makeover: Amazing backyard resort in burbs

By Amy Collins-Walker • 4 Comments

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Originally built in 1967, and located in the Brisbane suburb of Mansfield, this five-bedroom, three-bathroom, two storey home underwent an incredible overhaul recently, courtesy of the team at Zou Build. “We wanted to pay homage to the original mid-century style of the home with a little bit of a coastal feel,” says Zou Build’s interior designer Christal Fysentzou, who used a palette of clean white, timber and brass in realising her vision.

“I love the simplicity of the final look. When flipping, you always need to keep the end buyer in mind, so it’s important to not put too much of your own personal style into design,” says Christal.

BEFORE front
BEFORE front
AFTER front
AFTER front. A lesson in the power of white!

One of the main challenges with the property was its 1960’s ceiling heights; they were lower than the minimum 2.4 metres required today. “Buying the property was a huge gamble for us. We didn’t know if we could make the lower level legal height, which was essential to creating the open plan space. It was really going to make or break the project,” says Christal.

Thankfully the engineering approval came through, giving the Zou Build team permission to raise the ceiling height on both the ground, and upper floors.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen. The raised ceiling makes all the difference.
AFTER lounge
AFTER lounge

The property was designed with a growing family in mind; it now has a large kitchen, two living areas, a home office, and garden with a large gated swimming pool. “It’s got a space for everyone. We gave a lot of thought to what we wanted as a family and translated that into this home,” says Christal.

BEFORE upstairs living
BEFORE upstairs living room and balcony
AFTER upstairs living room
AFTER upstairs living room and balcony

The master bedroom, unrecognisable from before, features a deluxe, custom Stegbar Galleria wardrobe in Nataio Walnut finish. “Wardrobes can be so much more than just somewhere to store clothes. Our walk-in wardrobe includes its own HAFEL speaker system to add a bit of fun to getting ready,” says Christal.

BEFORE bedroom
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER bedroom
AFTER master bedroom

The robe also features incorporated lighting that flows into the ensuite and a custom Stegbar curved backlit mirror completes the look. The lighting choices were the perfect solution for the spaces, which are low in natural light.

AFTER The stunning robe in the master bedroom
AFTER The stunning robe in the master bedroom, looking through to the ensuite.

The ensuite’s curved mirror is the perfect foil for the angular cabinetry and tiles that feature elsewhere in the space. The simple, clean aesthetic is continued with custom made Stegbar frameless shower screens and Meir brass shower fittings.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE ensuite
AFTER ensuite
AFTER ensuite. Meir tapware in Tiger Bronze features throughout the home.
AFTER shower
AFTER shower

But arguably the most show-stopping part of the renovation is the backyard – it’s a stylish urban oasis that is ideally suited to the outdoorsy Queensland lifestyle. “The outdoor area is really quite amazing and it’s a bit like having a resort in the burbs,” says Christal.

BEFORE pool
BEFORE pool
AFTER pool
AFTER pool

While it’s an older Brisbane suburb, Mansfield is proving increasingly popular for young families, something that drew Zou Build to the area. “The majority of the houses in the area are dated and need some love, so it is the perfect time to start a renovation trend, to generate a new wave of emerging home buyers.”

One last look at that gorgeous pool area
One last look at that gorgeous pool area

For more on Zou Build | Before & after: A spacious modern farmhouse in Brisbane

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March 18, 2020

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Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
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
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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

A massive en suite gets style to match its size!

New bathroom & laundry layout brings beauty and functionality

AFTER lounge

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Ipswich QLD

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Maroubra

1890s Victorian house gets a new, modern and luxurious extension

A playful and exciting revamp for a mundane dining room

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Elanora QLD

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJulie Ross says

    March 18, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Fabulous. But how did they raise the ceiling height on the ground level?? Very curious.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      March 18, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      I’ll see if they can jump in and answer this!

      Reply
      • AvatarKarina says

        December 28, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        I’d also be very keen to know how they raised the height in the lower level. This is a very common house design around Brisbane and I’m sure many people have the same downstairs height dilemma

        Reply
  2. AvatarArthur K says

    March 19, 2020 at 7:45 am

    Skylights made a big difference.

    Reply

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