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Hard to sell house transformed into forever home

May 6, 2020 2 Comments

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A savvy husband and wife real estate agent and interior decorator duo picked the street before they picked this home. And although they planned to flip it, once they started renovating, they soon knew it was going to become their forever family home.

AFTER Living room with dining behind
BEFORE Living room
AFTER Dining room
BEFORE Dining room

“We picked the street before we picked the house, after inspecting a house for sale in a nearby street,” says Amanda Smythe. “We liked the feel of this street so my husband called on some real estate contacts to see how often homes came on the market. They told him that one had been on the market for nine months and not sold and that if we knocked on the door the owner might be receptive.

“We looked and whilst it was very dated (think original California bungalow at the front with a nineties extension at the back) I knew I could do something exceptional with it. It is elevated, north-facing, and flooded with light. After a previous buyer resurfaced and a bidding war ensued, the house was ours.”

AFTER Kitchen
BEFORE Kitchen

It was easy to see why the home on Sydney’s popular Lower North Shore had stayed on the market for so long with its dark timber, blue walls, floral curtains, and a large previous reno, which wasn’t appealing to todayโ€™s buyers.

“It also had no parking and the main bathroom (that all five of us used for five years) is now the powder room,” said Amanda, who has three children aged eight to 16.

AFTER A stunning girl’s bedroom

“Our initial thoughts were that we would renovate and flip it in a relatively short period of time. However, over the five years we ended up living in it pre-renovation, we fell in love with the block, the street and the area.

“It’s a leafy cul-de-sac where everyone knows each other, we are in and out of each otherโ€™s houses and the kids are best friends and spend their weekends running from house to house. So, by the time we were ready to undertake the reno, we knew we were going nowhere!”

AFTER A boy’s bedroom

Only one room in the house remained structurally untouched in the 18-month renovation project. The couple drew on their extensive knowledge of property and decorating when choosing the finishes.

Amanda adds: “We knew we wanted a classic style that would stand the test of time, that was slightly coastal in feel (though no shells in sight); what I like to call contemporary Australian coastal. Drawing on light timbers (engineered oak floors), white walls and natural textures to complete the look and feel of a laidback, airy abode.

“It also had to be practical and hardwearing for a busy family of five. I implemented the advice I often give to my clients, in that you can have a beautiful house with young children that is still functional and liveable.”

They wanted the house to reflect their taste and style with light colours and natural textures, and, in an increasingly technology-driven world, they wanted a large focus on nature within the house as well as outside.

AFTER Master bedroom
AFTER Balcony off the master bedroom

“We wanted the feel to be light and airy and provide as much as exposure to nature as possible. This can be seen especially at the updated rear of the house, which is north-facing, with floor to ceiling windows that look out onto an elevated leafy district view and receive an abundance of natural light all day long. We also invested in the highest quality double glazed glass for improved energy consumption, requiring less heating and cooling.”

BEFORE Facade

There are plenty of open spaces so the family can enjoy the outdoors without being in the backyard all the time, and the transition between indoor and outdoor living is seamless, with them doing plenty of entertaining during the summer months.

AFTER Front porch

“What other buyers saw as old and tired and too much hard work was my inspiration, ” Amanda says. “The result is a contemporary Australian family home that is much loved and a joy to live in.”

For more on Amanda Smythe Design

Get more inspiration in our dedicated renovating section

Photography by The Palm Co and Emmy Etie Photography

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarArthur K says

    May 10, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Looks like a a complete redevelopment of the home. I don’t know if its the angle or position of the before and after shots but its a major transformation.

    Reply
  2. AvatarKatie Wilmot says

    February 2, 2021 at 9:39 am

    Love the casualness of the round coffee table. Where is it from.

    Reply

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