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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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Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

From time to time, we stray from our Australian-homes-only rule when we uncover something we really love! This project, by @2lgstudio (and also the interior design duo’s own home) is featured in Ornament Is Not a Crime, a new coffee table interiors book by Sydney-based design writer @rebeccalgross.

Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

#2lgstudio #2lg #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #londonhome #londonhomes #brighthome #brightinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulhome #interiordesignersathome #pinkandgreen #pinkandgreendecor #pinkandgreenshouldalwaysbeseen
Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own rug range this week and they're a bit gorgeous! 😍 These are the kind of beautiful, neutral, textured, natural, ethically and sustainably produced rugs that will stand the test of time.

Pop over to the blog via link in bio to read our chat with him.

“I believe in the democratisation of good design,” says Darren, who wanted the rugs to be affordable. “It was very important to me that they were ethically made, and they are all Good Weave certified ensuring that no child labour is involved in their creation."

#darrenpalmer #darrenpalmerofficial #darrenpalmerinteriors #theblock #rugshopping #rugdesign #ruggoals #rugmaking #naturalrugs #sustainablerugs #ethicalrugs #jute #juterug #juterugs #handcarved #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #goodweave
Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost pe Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost perfect score on the Block last night.

Even if their bedsides weren't exactly generous, they were bigger than most last night. What was going on there?!

As ever, love to know your thoughts. See more, read the judges' comments and shop the looks via link in bio now.

#theblockroomreveals
#theblock #theblock2023 #blockshopper #masterbedroomdecor #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #mastersuites #walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno
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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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarGemma 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!

    • AvatarVICKI 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. AvatarAlix 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. AvatarBec Senyard says

    January 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

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

  4. AvatarKathryn Bamford says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:15 pm

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

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:46 am

      Knew you’d love it KB!

  5. AvatarMelinda 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. AvatarMichael 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?

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:46 am

      Coco Republic

  7. AvatarFionna says

    January 6, 2016 at 3:01 pm

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

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 7, 2016 at 1:45 am

      Coco Republic

  8. AvatarCeleste says

    January 11, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Hi 🙂 where is that rug from ?

    • AvatarVICKI says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:45 pm

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

  9. AvatarShawn says

    January 11, 2016 at 9:42 pm

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

    • AvatarVICKI says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Jardan

  10. AvatarElissa says

    January 20, 2016 at 10:25 am

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

    • AvatarElissa says

      January 20, 2016 at 10:25 am

      *pendant

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      January 20, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Tom Dixon 🙂

  11. AvatarMaria says

    March 21, 2016 at 9:44 pm

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

    • AvatarSabine says

      December 9, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Coco Republic, if they still do it.
      Sabine

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