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Real reno: Blockheads Kyal & Kara’s beachside sanctuary

June 8, 2018 5 Comments

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Located on the NSW central coast, it’s hard to believe that this four-bedroom, three-bathroom coastal dream of a home was once a simple fibro cottage.  “Our goal was to create a light-filled sanctuary that felt comfortable and inviting. It’s a real sanctuary but with plenty of space for entertaining,” says expert renovator and former Blockhead Kara Demmrich who tackled this project with her husband Kyal after purchasing the original home for $710,000 in early 2017.

Kyal & Kara kitchen dining room
Kitchen and dining

Originally intending to carry out a single-level extension, the house was completely gutted and little of the original house remains. Aside from the four bedrooms, three bathrooms and large open plan living spaces, the home also has an outdoor kitchen and plunge pool – all of which resulted in the home being purchased at auction for $1.59 million upon completion. That’s quite some increase in value!

Lounge
Lounge

Drawing on a mix of inspiration, the original Canary Date palm tree at the front of the house and the Desert Modernism movement that came out of Mid-Century Palm Springs homes, were two key references.

The front of the home
The front of the home

“Although the palm tree inspired our design theme, we wanted to create a classic coastal look for the facade using some of our favourite materials – white weatherboards, timber and limestone. We’re so happy with how it’s all come together and we believe we’ve created the perfect facade,” says Kyal of the front of the home that features blackbutt timber decking, hand-laid limestone walls and white weatherboard cladding.

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

“The original home was a small weatherboard cottage with lots of tack-ons, such as a carport, shed, back verandah and outdoor laundry. Initially, you had to walk down the driveway and the front door was located on the side of the house – this is one of the first things we knew we had to update. First impressions count, and having an open, welcoming path to the front door is important to us,” says Kyal.

Ensuite
Ensuite
Ensuite shower
Ensuite shower

Mostly though, the high ceilings and large expanses of glass are what really catch the eye upon entering the house. “The first thing that strikes you about the renovation is the scale of the ceilings. At 3.6 metres high, they make a real statement,” says Kyal.

Guest bedroom
Guest bedroom

To ensure the project not only looked great, but felt comfortable too, Kyal and Kara selected Gyprock Superchek plasterboard for its impact and sound resistant benefits. “Gyprock Superchek makes this house like a little Fort Knox. It’s great for families because it delivers better sound absorption and less noise transfer. This results in a noticeably quieter interior environment and creates a level of serenity,” says Kara.

Barn door
A barn door conceals the entertainment room

Kyal and Kara also chose to install some of the internal doors as sliding ones using barn door fittings – a time-saving choice as much as an aesthetic one. “The installation process was easy and saved us time and effort, and Corinthian Moda doors are factory primed on all sides and edges, and as a result they deliver a superior finish with any paint sheen. They are a great design feature that emphasises the shaker profile of the doors and create a statement in themselves,” says Kara.

Child's room
Child’s bedroom

The outdoor space is perhaps one of the most enviable aspects of the home – I love the Moroccan-inspired tiles lining the plunge pool combined with lush greenery and breeze block wall. Alfresco lovers, Kyal and Kara completed the space with a fully integrated kitchen and barbecue, covered deck area (with large skylights) and poolside outdoor shower.

Plunge pool
Plunge pool

“We’re big believers in every detail being carefully considered – it’s the details that count and create a unique and beautiful renovation,” says Kara.

For more | Five steps to a stylish seaside abode

 

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This slideshow is just a snapshot 😯 Today's ho This slideshow is just a snapshot 😯

Today's home, a new build duplex in Sydney's Dover Heights, is nothing short of incredible. Bravo 28 year old interior designer Shona McElroy of @smac_studio 

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Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and b Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and building two luxury town houses but held back by a lack of cash?

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Fridays with Charlie 🥰 Tap for where things ar Fridays with Charlie 🥰

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Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option! I Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option!

I'm actually a big fan of the contrast you can achieve by only tiling part way as @naomifindlayofficial has here in her Carrington House reno. And she topped them with an @intrimgroup chair rail to give a finished look.

Read more about how Naomi used timber mouldings to achieve a consistent look, feel and flow between the original cottage and the modern extension on the blog now. Via the homepage (link in bio).

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Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻 The bas Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻

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It's a great time to be an interior designer! Wou It's a great time to be an interior designer!

Would you agree?

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A third of businesses reported that they were looking to hire more staff this year which is great news for jobseekers. 

The only negative finding was around the rising cost of doing business. One of the most significant factors was the price volatility of productsand  materials.

All in all though, it's a great time to be in the design industry. If you are, do you agree? Please drop us a comment below🙏

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Boys' wardrobe makeover for under $500🤗 Anyone Boys' wardrobe makeover for under $500🤗

Anyone else have those basic as built ins in an older house with a hanging rail and nothing else?! Not exactly great use of space or ideal for kids' clothes! 

We replaced the doors on all our wardrobes years ago but the internals behind were still pretty lacking. I recently made much better use of space in here with 2 @flexistorage flatpacks from Bunnings. They fit perfectly with easy access and 4 drawers and 3 shelves each is more than enough for kids. We attached them to the inside of the wardrobe so they're safe and sturdy.

They're $209 each and then we cut down a  brass wardrobe rail to create 2 hanging rails in between. They can even reach the bottom one themselves. I labelled Seb's too so he knows where to find things quickly.

Before this we were using those hanging shoe racks. The worst!

TA-DAH! SO MUCH BETTER USE OF SPACE!

#interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #wardrobemakeover #diywardrobe #builtinwardrobe #budgetwardrobe #gifted

We used the Flexi Storage White 3 Shelf 4 Drawer Built In Wardrobe Unit. Swipe for the before.

Handles from @gainsboroughhardware Doors from @sydney_doors Hanging rail from @hafelehome

Save this post if your built ins could do with a makeover!
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Save this post and have a go this weekend! Would love to see what you create!

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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/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarMel says

    June 11, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    It would be interesting to find out what their profit was as no mention of what the renovation cost is…

    Reply
  2. AvatarPenelope White says

    August 1, 2018 at 9:30 am

    I’m not sure about that Guest bedroom; it’s just……………………..well…………it’s awful. There I said it. The rest of the house is stunning. I just feel that they’ve got to doing the guest bedroom and were just ‘over it all’. Or they ran out of funds or they just dropped the ball. It looks like they raided Nana’s linen cupboard and grabbed whatever they could find and threw it on the bed. Sorry guys. I’d be interested to hear honestly if anybody else finds it a bit ‘blahhhh’. The rest of the house is beautiful though.

    Reply
  3. AvatarCindy Stewart says

    August 2, 2018 at 1:48 am

    I kinda feel the same about the guest room and the use of the wainscot panelling just doesn’t “fit” with the rest of the sleek vibe they have got going, ditto for the child’s room. Putting a bed up in front of it just doesn’t look right. I am however in LOVE with the pool.

    Reply
  4. AvatarBart Collart says

    March 1, 2020 at 4:35 am

    Love the reno. We especially love that ensuite/bath. Any chance of posting the specs on the items used – tiles, toilet, sink, etc?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      March 2, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Hi Bart. you could try contacting Kyal and Kara, maybe via their Instagram?

      Reply

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