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Real Reno: Neglected hoarder’s hovel transformed into breathtaking family home

September 8, 2016 Leave a Comment

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A heritage listed, dilapidated hoarder’s home set on an incredibly steep block. Itโ€™s enough to frighten the most experienced renovator but in just eight months, two courageous brothers have transformed theย junk-filled squalor into a multi-million dollar property.

โ€œIt was our second hoarder house so I was a little more confident this time. Doing a major renovation, you just ignore it and look at elevation, the view and try to get a feel for the finished product,” said owner of Graya Construction Rob Gray.

BEFORE exterior
BEFORE exterior
AFTER exterior

The finished product is a contemporary four-bedroom family home, with three bathrooms, two living areas and a pool, split over three levels. โ€œItโ€™s very steep and the most tricky part of the build was having to slide the two-story original house. We had to slide it down the hill and just getting the machines up and down and material in and out was a bit of a nightmare. Being on a steep block can easily add 20% to the cost of the build,โ€ said Rob.

BEFORE backyard. Bulldozers are brought in to removes the piles of rubbish and begin earthworks
BEFORE backyard
AFTER backyard

To meet heritage guidelines, the weathered front faรงade has been restored and the original framework remodelled to form a spacious master bedroom on the top level, with sweeping views of the neighbourhood.

โ€œWith the heritage listing there are two options: you can essentially keep the character throughout the whole house, or you can modern it up which is what we chose to do,โ€ Robย said.ย โ€œI think the master bedroom is easily the best part of the house, the whole level is just yours. Itโ€™s huge. Itโ€™s a 3.4-metre ceiling and every person thatโ€™s seen the house is just blown away by it.โ€

BEFORE master bedroom
BEFORE master bedroom
AFTER master bedroom ensuite
AFTER master bedroom ensuite

But itโ€™s the rear extension, with its expansive timber lined roof and walls, that makes your jaw drop. โ€œI love using natural timber both inside and out. It softens it up and adds texture. White gyprock can be very boring,โ€ Rob said.

BEFORE exterior
BEFORE exterior
AFTER exterior

The second level of the home features the guest bedroom, main living area and an open-plan kitchen with โ€œsuper-whiteโ€ marble bench-tops that Rob says “catch the light and sharpen up the island to give it an element of architecture.โ€

AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER living and dining
AFTER living and dining

A large void and staircase lead down to the ground level, where youโ€™ll find two more bedrooms and the rumpus, which opens out to the pool.

AFTER staircase and rumpus
AFTER staircase and rumpus
AFTER ground level
AFTER ground level

Purchased in late 2015 for $750,000, it took Rob and the team just eight months to complete the renovation.ย โ€œI started designing the plan when it was under contract so when it settled, I was busy on another job for four weeks then I jumped straight onto it. It was a 30-day settlement and I used that in planning and thatโ€™s a big one for anyone thatโ€™s looking to do something to on-sell is really use that time to your advantage.โ€

He adds: “If you are designing it for your family or designing it to sell, itโ€™s two different processes. If youโ€™re designing it to on-sell you have to get in the mind of your buyer. But if you’re designing it for yourself theย first step is to decide how many different bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas you want then I would start looking at sizes. Compare houses on the market to what you want to build. Then work out roughly how many square metres you need to get the house that you desire before you start drawing, which people always forget to do. It is really important to talk to some builders and get some estimates on square metres. People really miss that step and it always comes back to bite them.”

Rob also suggests would-be renovators tread carefully with trends to ensure aย renovation stays timeless. โ€œThere is nothing worse than a modern house where people use the latest fads and then two years down the track it just doesnโ€™t look good and devalues the house. Try to avoidย glosses. Use matt two-pack in the kitchen, matt coating on the timber floors and tiles. I did go black tapware in this house but it’s anย easy cosmetic update.”

AFTER main bathroom
AFTER main bathroom

The hoarder house, in the sought-after Queensland suburb of Paddington, is now known as the water tower home and sold prior to auction to a couple with a young family.

Rob and Andrew Gray
Rob and Andrew Gray

You can find out more about Rob and the team at Graya Construction here. Photos courtesy of Scott Burrows Photography.

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
#everydaydesign #interiortrends #renovationinspiration
#homedesigninspo #lovemyhome #stylingdetails
#loveinteriors #homeimprovements #interiordesignaustralia
#dreamhomeinspiration #homemakeover #personaldesign
#interiordesignaus #creatingbeautifulspaces
#creativehomes #housestyling #sydneyhomes
#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
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