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Real Reno: Dilapidated cottage to beachside oasis

By Naomi Foxall • 2 Comments

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When Sharon Blair first set eyes on this 1950’s weatherboard stunner in East Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, she just knew it was ‘the one’ and ripe for a reno. “The moment I laid my eyes on this little cottage, my heart skipped a beat,” she says. “It had been leased for three decades and was in a very dilapidated state.  But it was well situated, had a layout ripe for extension and I knew once we built further out that the views would be amazing.”

real renoBefore – front of housereal renoAfter – front of house
The interior designer and mum-of-two had purchased the cottage in 2014 but hadn’t got stuck into breathing new life into the home until 2016. “We had done bits and pieces since we purchased the property in September 2014,” says Sharon, “[But] our extension works commenced February 2016 and were completed in the October.”

After leaving Sydney midway through another renovation, Sharon was keen to see a project through to the end and bring her vision of what this little beach shack could be, to life. With two sons and a love of entertaining, Sharon wanted to create a home to enjoy and share with friends. “The original cottage was a two bedroom, weatherboard design. The land sloped down but the views were up so we built a two story extension to the rear,” she says. “We excavated 300 tonnes to create a downstairs laundry/media room/storage and study, and the upper floor has an open plan kitchen, dining, lounge and deck that runs the width of the property with the roof extending over.”

real renoBefore – kitchen/dining roomreal renoAfter – kitchen/dining room

It took almost 8 months to complete the full renovation and while there were some tough times, Sharon and her family are ecstatic with the end result. “It was rough living with two boys on a construction site without a kitchen or bathroom,” says Sharon, “but we knew that stage was not for long.” Sharon feels that they were extremely fortunate to have such a smooth running experience, something she attributes in large part to her builder. “We had such a fantastic experience, without any unforeseen problems and our builder was amazing and kept on time and budget!” Dream reno experience right there!

real renoBathroom before and after

The biggest difference for Sharon and her family? Space!  While cottage living had its charms, this family of four were very happy to move into their extended digs. “While we loved living in the tiny cottage for a couple of years, we are enjoying the space we now have,” says Sharon. ” We are keen for our [new digs] to be a place where people can come and feel at home and recharge.”

real renoAfter – Deck

While there were plenty of learning curves, Sharon says that the overall experience was one she’d do all over again. “We had to learn how to get the look we wanted on a budget,” says Sharon. “Being a designer, I’m very familiar with beautiful products, homes and spaces. We didn’t have the budget that a lot of these homes have, so at times we had to be creative and wise to realise where the money was best spent.”

Her hot tips for staying on track? An amazing builder and choosing where to spend (and where to save). “While we were on a budget, we still wanted the finishes to be high end and have the features that will present the right lifestyle when we come to sell it,” says Sharon. “I feel we received amazing bang for buck in this home – and much of that is credit to our builder and his skill and eye for detail.”

real renoAfter – Living and diningreal renoThe happy renovators!

See more great before and afters to inspire you.

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January 19, 2017

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I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" 😂

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says he’s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. “We don’t think our pieces are there just to look good,” Jack says. “We love seeing our pieces in people’s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. They’re for real life.”

FEARON’s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

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

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
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
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 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
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About Naomi Foxall

Naomi Foxall is a freelance writer, content and social media manager, living on the NSW South Coast.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJoanne says

    February 7, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    Fabulous reno!
    Can you please tell me where you got your shower rail and extra long curtain?

    Jo

    Reply
    • AvatarSharon says

      February 7, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      Hi Jo!
      Thank you, you’re kind.
      The shower rail is actually just copper pipe with timber turned ends to secure it. And I’ve used two curtains to tick the form and function boxes: a basic white shower curtain on the inside (to keep the water in), and then a regular ‘window’ curtain on the outside.
      Hope this helps!
      Cheers,
      Sharon

      Reply

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