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Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near Wollongong

January 25, 2017 6 Comments

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Anissa and Tony Grossman’s friends thought “they had rocks in their head” when they purchased a 1930s home from its original owners in Russell Vale, near Wollongong NSW.

But in 18 months and with approximately $300,000, they’ve transformed it into a contemporary coastal cottage for their family.

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongBefore – Front of house

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongAfter – front of house

Anissa works as a colour consultant so she has a good eye. “Most of my work is with new home builds however I am very passionate about renovating old cottages and bringing new life to them. The character and charm is already there, they just need some love and care to shine again.”

They purchased the house in 2006 for $370,000. The total cost of the renovation was around $300,000, with the house now valued at more than $1.2million. While theyย had renovated and built a home previously, this was theirย biggest challenge yet.

“We purchased the home in its original condition from the family that built the home in the late 1930s. Everything was original and that was exactly what we were looking for. Our family and friends thought we had rocks in our head, going from a brand new custom built home to this โ€˜love shack’ (as they called it).

Builders, friends and family were all telling us to knock it down and build a new home. Our response was always the same: โ€˜no, never!โ€™. I loved the original cornices (different in each room), the large room sizes and fireplace. We always had the vision to connect the old cottage with a modern extension and hoped that the two eras would complement each other. We are more than happy with the end result.”

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongAfter – Living area

They always intended for it to be their family home where they’d raise their kids until they fly the nest (they’re now 12 and 16). “We turned the existing house into the four bedrooms, bathroom, ensuite and walk-in robe,” explains Anissa. “Then we added a connecting hallway that leads to the kitchen, dining, lounge, outdoor area and pool.

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongBefore – Outdoor entertaining area

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongAfter – Outdoor entertaining area

“We employed a builder to lock up stage; Tonyโ€™s trade is a bricklayer so he laid the recycled brick feature wall down the new hallway. I then designed the kitchen, ensuite and outdoor areas. Tony and I are both very hands on, so we managed to do most of the painting and landscaping ourselves.”

Real Reno: Original thirties home transformed near WollongongAfter – Hallway featuringย recycled brick feature wall

There were several nasty surprises, most of them to do with electrics and plumbing, due to their age. “We wanted to keep the original eaves and fascia, however when removing the old terracotta roof tiles, the eaves had to be removed also and of course they were asbestos so we removed and replaced the lot.ย But by far the biggest challenge was living in the tiny cottage throughout the whole renovation. At times all four of us were sleeping in the one bedroom with a makeshift kitchen and toilet that kept blocking!”

Anissaย really loves the front faรงade and she’s not the only one, it seems! “We have had a lot of people knock on our door or stop and take a sneaky photo. I am super pleased with how the colours have come together.”

Her favourite part however is the kitchen. “It is simply divine. I also enjoy sitting in the winter sun on my front deck, it is very peaceful.”

Real-Reno-Original-thirties-home-transformed-near-WollongongBefore – Kitchen

Real-Reno-Original-thirties-home-transformed-near-WollongongAfter – Kitchen

The biggest bargain was a brand newย Jetmaster timber fireplace bought on eBay for a steal. And the biggest piece of advice? “Never ever ever live in a house while doing such an extensive renovation. Thankfully, we all still love each other.” She’d do it again in a heartbeat though! “It’s my passion. There is nothing more rewarding for me than seeing an old, unloved building transformed into a breathtaking beauty.”

Real-Reno-Original-thirties-home-transformed-near-WollongongAfter – Kitchen and dining

Anissa advises to plan everything and plan again and research your preferred builders. She says save money on labour by doing things yourself rather than skimp on the quality of your finishes.

Real-Reno-Original-thirties-home-transformed-near-Wollongong

For more real renos, check out our Real Reno archives.

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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.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
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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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Comments

  1. AvatarStacey H says

    January 25, 2017 at 9:35 am

    What a gorgeous home, the owners have done such a great job! Can I ask what material and paint colour was used surrounding the fireplace?

    Reply
  2. AvatarRusty says

    January 25, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    House looks great. What is the name of the dark external colour and the name of the white used. Colours are awesome!

    Reply
  3. AvatarNoelene Barrett says

    January 25, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Anissa and Tony are my Family and I know how hard they worked. But Wow what a transformation. Well done to you all it look amazing. Xx

    Reply
  4. AvatarJohn says

    January 26, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Wow amazing! How do I get the name of the builders? Loving the tin roof by the way!

    Reply
  5. AvatarConnie says

    January 27, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Lovely house and beautiful colour scheme. I must say that I’m sorry to see the lovely original front window with its ornate sash disappear.

    Reply
  6. AvatarP says

    February 4, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    I love the interior, fabulous job, but personally I preferred the exterior ‘before’, however in saying that, the home is beautiful and very welcoming.

    Reply

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