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Hard to sell house transformed into forever home

By Jen Bishop •

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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 today’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 other’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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May 6, 2020

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Colour hug, anyone?! A collaboration with design Colour hug, anyone?!

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Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

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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 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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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.

  2. AvatarKatie Wilmot says

    February 2, 2021 at 9:39 am

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

    • AvatarJess. Cetinic says

      April 27, 2023 at 10:30 pm

      Love the paint colour in living areas, please advise colour 🙏

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