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Real reno: glam black and gold interior on Sydney’s northern beaches

By Jen Bishop •

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After photography by Susan Papazian

Vicki Lyon and her husband Dion Williams lived in their Balgowlah Heights home on Sydney’s northern beaches with daughter Amber for four years before finally renovating it to create the family home of their dreams, finishing the job just in time for Christmas! Always intending to stay there longterm, the kitchen, living and dining area has been opened up to create a spacious home which flows beautifully to the outdoor area and pool.

BEFORE dining area
BEFORE dining area
Papazian_151204_2980
AFTER dining area

Papazian_151204_2975

With the help of interior designer Sabine McDonald (Design by Sabine) and builder Stephen Maish, the reno took 14 weeks and cost $260,000 including furniture and homewares. Vicki and Dion had renovated bathrooms before but never taken on such a large project.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
Papazian_151204_2819
AFTER kitchen

The modern brick house had been renovated in the five years before they bought it so while it looked good, they felt it needed opening up and to create better flow. Having lived there for four years, a lot of thought went into the project.

BEFORE living area
BEFORE living area
AFTER living area
AFTER living area
Papazian_151204_2889
Vicki in the living area which has been opened up to the kitchen

“We worked with Sabine and Stephen and between the three of us, we made the plans and managed the process,” Vicki says. “We re-tiled the entire area inside and out with large floor tiles to create a seamless flow. Previously, there were different tiles outdoors, in the kitchen and the laundry.

BEFORE second living area
BEFORE second living area
Papazian_151204_2956
AFTER second living area

“We removed a wall between the kitchen and dining room and remodelled the kitchen to open it up entirely, moving the fridge to the back wall and relocating the plumbing to remove a big wall that blocked the kitchen from the other areas. We also made it an eat-in kitchen with bench top and chairs, where as previously you could not sit at the bench top. We also removed the living room wall unit and created a more modern fireplace with custom cabinetry around it. We changed the colours from earthy neutrals to glam black and gold and refurnished the whole area.”

Papazian_151204_2946
The back yard and pool

Vicki jokes the only nasty surprise was her expensive taste, which wasn’t really a great surprise! The biggest challenges were finalising the budget and keeping the work on track.

“Opening up the kitchen to an open plan area and re-tiling the entire space in one tile made the biggest impact. Removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen was probably the biggest bargain.”

Papazian_151204_2909

The entire kitchen/dining/living area is her favourite part of the house now because it’s all one big space. “Our biggest learning was the importance of having all your plans nutted out before engaging trades people and starting the project. And understanding the cost and timeframes of ordering products.”

Papazian_151204_3021

Armed with the knowledge she now has, Vicki says she would definitely be keen to renovate again, but has no plans to go anywhere any time soon! Her advice for would-be renovators is to pick the trades people you are going to work with wisely as they will be in your life for the duration of the project, and to invest in a project manager unless you have the time and the knowledge to handle it yourself.

Vicki (left) with interior designer Sabine
Vicki (left) with interior designer Sabine

“Working with an interior designer was a huge benefit. You have someone who gives you great ideas and access to products you don’t always know about, and it’s always good to have someone outside your home challenging your thought process and ideas. It’s also a lot more fun shopping with someone than on your own!”

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January 3, 2016

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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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gemma says

    January 4, 2016 at 7:27 am

    What a beautiful renovation! I am also in the planning stage and will be using one tile inside and out. Would you recommend the tiles you used and if so what where they?

    Thanks!

    • VICKI says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Gemma,

      yes i would we got them from Taplow Tiles in Balgowlah and the name is PANARIA LIME 900 X 900

  2. Alix says

    January 4, 2016 at 9:39 am

    Great story and good on them for renovating a home that had already been renovated. If you’re planning on staying in your home longterm then it’s a great idea to go ahead and make it how your family uses it – not the previous owner’s. And I also agree with the sentiment that unless you have the time and knowledge to project manage the build, let your builder be in control. And no, reading blogs and magazines does not give you the knowledge you need to manage a building job! But there are plenty of other ways to be involved.

  3. Bec Senyard says

    January 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    What a transformation. Working with an interior designer really brings the whole look together.

  4. Kathryn Bamford says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    Black and gold is always a good idea! LOVE this place! 😀

    • Jen BishopJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:46 am

      Knew you’d love it KB!

  5. Melinda McQueen | A Beaut Home says

    January 6, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    I really love this transformation, the renovation has really opened up the home and allowed more natural light in which is always the main aim.
    Light and bright and loving the earthy tones colour palette, well done.
    oh I love those kitchen stools on the hunt now to find some:)

  6. Michael French says

    January 6, 2016 at 2:36 pm

    Hi
    I am interested in knowing where those chairs for the new dining room are from?

    • Jen BishopJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:46 am

      Coco Republic

  7. Fionna says

    January 6, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    I’d love to know where I can purchase the black dining chairs from?

    • Jen BishopJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:45 am

      Coco Republic

  8. Celeste says

    January 11, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Hi 🙂 where is that rug from ?

    • VICKI says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      Armadillo and Co in the dinning room and Tribe Home in the living room

  9. Shawn says

    January 11, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    Could you please tell me where the kitchen bar stools are from?

    • VICKI says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Jardan

  10. Elissa says

    January 20, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Love the pendent lights in the kitchen, may I ask where they are from?

    • Elissa says

      January 20, 2016 at 10:25 am

      *pendant

    • Jen BishopJen Bishop says

      January 20, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Tom Dixon 🙂

  11. Maria says

    March 21, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Love this look. Do you know where I can purchase dining table from?

    • Sabine says

      December 9, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Coco Republic, if they still do it.
      Sabine

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