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Julia and Sasha’s new reno, week 3: Not-So-Little-Willow!

By Jen Bishop โ€ข Leave a Comment

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It’s instalment three of our exclusive series with former Blockheads Julia and Sasha and so much has happened! Read on for Julia’s warts and all account, some exciting developments (and, let’s be a honest, a few fails!).

Remember last time when I said Little Willow was off to a pretty good start? Well, she was for a day but you know what they say about life and lemons. A few weeks in and we could open our own Solo factory. Why? Iโ€™m glad you asked. Letโ€™s jump straight in, shall we?!

If thereโ€™s one word that makes my skin crawl itโ€™s demolition.ย It all sounds simple enough. Therapeutic even, if youโ€™ve got unresolved anger issues and know your way around a sledgehammer. Be warned though: itโ€™s not all sunshine and unicorns. Itโ€™s also not as funny as my dad-jokes on The Block but I wouldnโ€™t torture you with those again. Actually, who am I kidding? Of course I will.

Before Little Willow could take shape, she had to shed her behind. The permit came through in stages, making it tough to lock in a dedicated demo company, so we decided to do it ourselves. Now, normally Iโ€™d demand a round of applause for this nobility but in actual fact, it was to our detriment. Our builders are working to a cost-plus model which means we pay them an hourly rate instead of a fixed lump sum. What was supposed to be a few walls over a few days turned into the mother of all demos. Iโ€™m not sure how but the house seemed to get bigger with every skerrick removed.

Want to know whatโ€™s really expensive? Skip bins. They charge a pretty penny and when youโ€™re knocking down a house, youโ€™ll go through at least 15. Whilst I love our trades, packing is not their strong suit. Rumour has it I spent two weeks inside a skip bin stacking it like a Tetris ninja. Yes, itโ€™s as sexy as it sounds and yes, I will probably die from tetanus given all the rusty nails, but at least I can sleep at night knowing there were literally no gaps among the debris.

Julia the bin-filling Tetris ninja!

In the end, it took four builders over a fortnight to pull Little Willow apart. They did a stellar job but from a financial perspective, it wasnโ€™t a smart move. Ultimately, we were paying qualified chippies to do a labourerโ€™s work and our costs blew out like you wouldnโ€™t believe. We tried to save by roping our dads in to help but the terrain was uneven and there were a few busted ankles. Itโ€™s been a tough learning curve but in all honesty, demo companies are worth waiting for. They salvage so much and are far more cost-effective. By locking in a fixed price, there are no nasty surprises and you wonโ€™t be forced to sub in to spare a dollar. (You also wonโ€™t be left onsite wondering if the white powdery stuff in your bare hands is asbestos. Not that Iโ€™d know anything about that. Ahem.)

Sasha in an excavator

OK, now thatโ€™s out of the way letโ€™s talk framing. Our intentions to keep the front of the house were good but once the plaster came off, it was apparent Little Willow wasnโ€™t straight. Like, not at all. You could take her to The Castro on a Saturday night and sheโ€™d fit right in. We couldnโ€™t move forward with crooked walls so we made a plan to straighten what we could. This meant removing a million nails, which was about as fun as driving through a safari park in a car made of steak. Once this was done, it was time to move those babies into a better position. Unfortunately, not all could be saved so the boys made a plan to replace them. The house also needed to be re-stumped so we called in the experts and they jacked her up. It took three days and was as fascinating to watch as Say Yes to the Dress. Love you, Monty!

Due to our massive time crunch, we elected to have the new frame made offsite. In the industry itโ€™s known as prefab and no, itโ€™s not short for fabulous (Believe me, Iโ€™ve already made that joke and no one laughed). This was one of our better decisions as our builders could focus on laying the foundations. Once again, you need to allow a decent whack of time for this to happen. Holes need to be dug, stumps inserted, and concrete poured before the inspector comes out and gives a yay or nay.

Foundations

With the tick of approval, it was time for our plumber to come in and lay the pipes. Honestly, Brett Franklin is the nicest guy youโ€™ll ever meet and can rough in like no one else. He was our plumber on The Block and dropped everything at a momentโ€™s notice to help us at Little Willow. We put him through hell last year and yet he turned up with a smile on his face ready to do it all again. Hereโ€™s hoping you donโ€™t regret it, Brett!

Steel is an important part of every build, particularly if youโ€™re going up a level, yet it almost slipped through the cracks. Weโ€™d gotten a bit wrapped up in all the pretty stuff — picking wallpaper and carpet and what type of apples to display in the kitchen*. By the time we reached out to steel fabricators, we only had two weeks up our sleeves and were cutting it mighty fine. Thankfully we were able to lock in a supplier who delivered only two days behind schedule. It wasnโ€™t a total debacle but could have been avoided if weโ€™d been more focused. Of course, it pays to learn the hard way and itโ€™s a mistake we wonโ€™t make again. Silver linings and all that.

By far the best moment was when our frame arrived. Not that we were there to enjoy it as Sash was literally in surgery as it rolled up. Still, our relief was palpable. The beauty of prefab is the hard yards are done for you so you can literally set and forget. The boys had both levels up quick sticks and Little Willow started taking shape. Just between us, sheโ€™s bloody huge and has the most amazing city views from the first floor. A friend of ours has dubbed her Not So Little Willow and it couldnโ€™t be more accurate. We still have a long way to go and a thousand decisions to make but one thingโ€™s for sure, this is going to be a stunning family home.

Thanks for following along so far. Next time weโ€™ll be talking roof plumbing, wall cladding, and a whole lot more. Until then, gang.

Julia xx

*In case you were wondering, Granny Smith apples come up best in photos.

Missed a bit? Week 1 | Week 2

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August 28, 2017

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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
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ 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: whatโ€™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!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

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 that๐Ÿ˜

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 ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

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! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

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 ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

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 ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

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 ๐Ÿฟ 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?! ๐Ÿ˜)

Annieโ€™s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). โ€œI made it in tribute to Australia and Iโ€™m thrilled to say thatโ€™s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. Itโ€™s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green thatโ€™s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.โ€

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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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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