• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
    • Get Your Free Ebook

      This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • 20240206_185022-01Before & after: tiles steal the show in 90s kitchen revamp
    • IMG_0235Kerb appeal: 3-bedder given fresh new look for retirees
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • image013How Victorians can get a beautiful kitchen reno on a budget
    • Screenshot 2025-05-13 at 3.09.43 pmBeautiful backyard transformation brings Italy to Bondi
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Screenshot 2025-05-19 at 1.02.34 pmClean your carpets professionally at home without the dry time
    • Kopia av Ankarsrum-Assistent_Coral_12_Ny_webInnovative new Swedish mixer lands in Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • 230331_JDZ_Coogee 45Pokey extension becomes beautiful open plan living space
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Crispy egg noodles with seafood p. 116Foodie Friday: crispy egg noodles with seafood
    • 1293660_lifestyle Crossland Pearl GL-Porc Txt Rect 597×1195 UNI_Crossland_AMB 02_Living_PearlHow to bring your favourite travel destinations home
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Investment unit transformed into luxury home for downsizers

By Jen Bishop •

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

As is often the case, the owners of this apartment overlooking Manly Wharf were repeat customers for Matt Michel. He’d worked on their previous four-bedroom house and they brought him back when they decided to downsize in their semi-retirement. And these before and afters speak for themselves!

“We went back to bare concrete in this full apartment reno,” says Matt, who had worked on three other apartments in the building previously. “Every surface was touched.”

The bioethanol fireplace at the far end doesn’t need a flue so can be used in an apartment

The 14th floor Fairlight pad was originally three beds, two baths and a separate toilet, and is now two beds, two baths, a media room and a powder room. “Darren and Fiona live here with their dog Charlie and they have the occasional visitor. “We were told not to make the guest room too comfortable that they stay too long,” joked Matt. “We frequently hear this in our briefs!”

The pair always knew they would end up here, in their low maintenance investment apartment with the amazing view. “It was dire though,” says Matt. “Worn carpet, metallic red splashback, enough said! The before and after photos are epic.”

AFTER kitchen
BEFORE kitchen

They opted for a Neo Classical style. “This can include classical floor to ceiling wainscoting often mixed with white walls framing colourful abstract art,” Matt says. “We use modern furniture for comfort and contrast.”

Matt and his team set about changing the floorplan to create master and guest bedrooms with ensuites, turning the third bedroom into a media room with concealed giant TV, making the kitchen and dining room open plan, and adding all the mod cons like air con, programmable lights and electric blinds throughout.

Entry before
Entry after

“I was pretty familiar with the floorplan, but each client has their own preferences. It started with the kitchen, which had too many entrances, and was separate from the dining and living area. 

“First, we removed the wall partitioning the kitchen from dining. With the engineer stating we needed two steel beams supporting the roof, we needed to cover them up or distract you from looking at them. The number one rule of design is if you can’t hide something, make a feature of it.

Coffered ceilings and LED lights give the impression of skylights in this apartment

“So we coffered the ceilings and repeated the look throughout the apartment adding over 200 lineal metres of LED strip light to the perimeter. This made the ceiling look taller and brighter, creating a skylight effect. We have never been accused of not having enough light in a house, whether functional or decorative!”

Next, by blocking the previous door into the kitchen with floor to ceiling cupboards, they were able to poke the new fully integrated fridge through the old door into part of the adjoining entry hall, covered with floor to ceiling cupboards behind. All the adjacent cupboards like drawers and pantry were only 400 deep, then repeated at the same width to blend in.

Bathroom before and after

“By installing the same wainscoting bead to the joinery, it matched the walls and receded, making the space look larger and tricking the eye,” Matt says. “We inverted the new island bench with black stained oak, continuing throughout with similar themed black aluminium framed glass doors and bespoke freestanding display cabinets and furniture. We added American Oak accents and a splash of navy, especially on the window seat with the sunniest and best view in the apartment.”

The powder room with its whimsical wallpaper

The trickiest room was the combined powder room and laundry. “The hot water hides behind a false L-shaped cupboard in the corner that is still accessible. We added a solid timber vanity and finished it off with a flourish of wallpaper whimsy with busy navy palm trees.”

Powder room before
Powder room after

Havwoods herringbone Bronzo Oak flooring throughout, which was acoustically tested, gave the apartment a cohesive flow and a sense of sophistication and luxury. The herringbone was reflected back in the herringbone black marble on the bathroom floors, and the carrara mosaic splashbacks.

The drama and height of the new coffered ceiling (which ironically was created by lowering it) made the biggest impact of all the changes, Matt thinks. The flooring was the biggest splurge, and a favourite item is the EcoSmart bioethanol burning fireplace that heats up the apartment quite effectively, without having to flue, all on the 14th floor of an apartment building.

The guest bedroom

“I like the hidden surprises in the new space,” Matt adds. “The black framed sliding doors disappearing into the walls, the concealed fridge, the time spent utilising every millimetre in the apartment. But most of all I like the smiles on our clients’ faces.”

AFTER master bedroom
BEFORE master bedroom

Matt Michel Design is a small boutique interior design studio on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Operating for over 15 years, they can do one space or a whole house.

For more information

Builders and suppliers: A Whitlock Constructions, Rivergum Joinery, All Stone and Glass, Winning Appliances, Bathroom Collective, TileArte, Mr Carpet, Pedulla Bespoke furniture, Diamond Plumbing Solutions, Abbotts Electrical, Havwoods, Blackett Acoustics, Mondoluce Lighting, Intrim wainscoting, skirtings, cornice and architraves, and Surround by Laminex batten wall panels.

Photography: Burrough Photography

Art Deco apartment makeover to create New York Paris vibe
Joanne O’Callaghan recently spent $20,000 giving her Art Deco apartment in East Melbourne a refresh. The 1940s abode is full…
Downsizers’ dated penthouse given chic new look
Home to a couple who have downsized from a large, traditional Queenslander, this ninth floor Brisbane penthouse apartment was given…

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

June 28, 2023

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian bathroom standards: dimensions explained by an expert

  • Beautiful backyard transformation brings Italy to Bondi

  • Innovative new Swedish mixer lands in Australia

  • Foodie Friday: crispy egg noodles with seafood

  • More than double your kitchen storage with clever wireware

Follow us on Instagram

Swipe for before ▶️▶️▶️ This kitchen Swipe for before ▶️▶️▶️ 

This kitchen is small but mighty and very very pretty! Swipe through for the finer details of this reno by Casa & Co Interior Design. It sure went from boring beige 90s to stylish and full of detail and storage!

What do you think?

Read all about it on the blog now via link in bio/stories.

#smallkitchenideas #kitchentile #potfiller #featuretiles #hamptonskitchen #pulloutpantry
A Melbourne husband and wife duo have launched the A Melbourne husband and wife duo have launched the world's first fully customisable cot, offering countless options to personalise your baby's space and change it as the mood takes you!

@bold_baby_co cots are made from sustainably sourced European beechwood, and are finally available after four years of meticulous design and safety testing.

Tag a pregnant friend who'd love these!

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

#melbournesmallbusiness #cotdesign #designernursery #nurserydesignideas #babycot
This small backyard makeover is NEXT LEVEL. @jone This small backyard makeover is NEXT LEVEL.

@jonesandco_ founder Jennifer Jones wanted an Italian vibe for her North Bondi semi and wow did @landart_home_garden_beyond deliver her vision. And then some!

Comment 'Positano' for the link to read all about it, including the antique terracotta Italian roof tiles around the curved pool, firepit, olive and lemon trees and lavender!🪻 Chef's kiss👌🏼

Size is NOT everything!

#smallpool #smallpools #smallbackyard #firepitdesign #smallgardenideas #crazypaving
Swipe for the rear of this gorgeous Woollahra home Swipe for the rear of this gorgeous Woollahra home. Heaven!

It's a finalist in the Houses Awards 2025. Head to the blog via link in bio/stories to see more of the shortlist. There's some absolute BEAUTIES.

Project by @tobiaspartners 📸 @justinalexanderphoto

#housesawards #housesawards2025 #woollahravillage #woollahra #woollahrahomes #australianarchitecture #australianarchitect
Edit: the winner is Kathy Petersen of VIC. To cel Edit: the winner is Kathy Petersen of VIC.

To celebrate @sataraliving's beautiful and biggest ever new collection we're giving away a $500 voucher! Comment 'satara' for the link to the easy entry form and more info on this everyday luxury range!

This giveaway is in no way associated with or endorsed by Meta.

#australianfurniture #australianfurniture #australianinteriors #relaxedluxury
I always LOVE a new IKEA STOCKHOLM (widely known a I always LOVE a new IKEA STOCKHOLM (widely known as the IKEA best of) collection and 2025 is in Australian stores NOW.

I'm getting that floor lamp at a minimum.

Karin Gustavsson, creative leader for STOCKHOLM, IKEA Sweden, said: “The purpose of the STOCKHOLM collections has always been to prove that high quality doesn’t need to come at an intimidating cost. We have worked to create a no-compromise kind of collection where every piece tells a story."

Check it out on the blog now via link in bio and stories.

Don't hang around as these pieces always sell out fast.

#ikeastockholm #ikeastockholm2025 #ikeaaustralia #ikeahack
Building new isn't the only way to get a climate f Building new isn't the only way to get a climate friendly home. CSIRO research indicates that over half of the houses Australians will live in by 2050 already exist today. And those homes — from our 1950s weatherboards to mid-century gems — offer one of the most exciting opportunities to slash emissions, cut energy bills, and reimagine home design for a low-carbon future.

Welcome to the rise of retrofit culture: a movement that’s proving you don’t need to knock down to level up.

We're having this discussion on the blog today and sharing examples of two older homes given new, more sustainable, leases on life.

Head over via link in bio and stories.

Love to know your view on knockdown rebuild vs. Renovating older homes and what you have done and why in the comments!

@reneworgau

#sustainablehousing #sustainablehome #sustainablelivingaustralia #climatefriendlyhome #passivhaus #passivhausdesign
Swipe for the before! You won't believe it! This Swipe for the before! You won't believe it!

This upcycle started with a freebie off Marketplace and with some vision, elbow grease and chalk paint, became a beautiful shelving solution for Home Beautiful stylist @style_by_lucy 

Lucy's a bit of a Marketplace pro and she even found the Samsung Frame TV on there 😯

Tell us about your best marketplace finds in the comments?

All the details of how she did this including paint colour on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

#upcyclefurniture #upcyledfurniture #upcycledsideboard #marketplacefinds
A year in, this reluctant soccer mum has realised A year in, this reluctant soccer mum has realised 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'!

So, as I start thinking about the boys going into separate rooms later this year, I've been researching non-ugly soccer-themed linen, rugs, art, wallpaper and more for Seb's room, which I'll be as happy with as he will! 

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the details and links to buy. My favourite is the wallpaper mural from @oliveetoriel 

#soccermom⚽️ #footballbedroom #boysbedroomideas #kidsroomart #kidsroomstyling #kidsroomwallpaper
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: Just One Thing To Elevate Your Interior, featuring Australia's top design talent.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

More from Before & Afters

Before & after: tiles steal the show in 90s kitchen revamp

Kerb appeal: 3-bedder given fresh new look for retirees

Something out of nothing: reading nook created in roof space

Love it or hate it? A kitchen with not one but two…

Luxurious black and gold glow up for Sydney city bolthole

Arts & Crafts home’s heritage restored while giving it new life

Before & after: 80s home given new life to stay in the…

Apartment brought back to life by interior designer

Our new dining nook with built in banquette seating

Promo Area

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2025 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in