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Real reno: the labour of love that made a profit of $100,000+

By Olivia Shead โ€ข Leave a Comment

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While theย apartment was a far cry from perfect — with its dim lighting, strange reclaimed boiler room with very low ceiling and a whole lot of mess, for Michael Casten, it was well worth the gamble.

Before: kitchen
Before: kitchen
After: kitchen
After: kitchen

Situated in the desirable Sydney location of Elizabeth Bay, Michael purchased it for $500,000 in July 2014. Aย year later he sold it for a figure in the high $600,000s, not a bad effort considering he spent just $40,000 on the reno. “I did most of the work myself to keep costs down,” explains Michael. “Though I didย have a lot of help from oneย of my best mates who also happens to be my neighbour!”

Before: bathroom
Before: bathroom
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After: bathroom

Tackling one room at a time (Block style!), some were simple, like repainting the bedroom and retiling the kitchen and bathroom, whilst others, like the boiler room and stairs, were much more extensive. “My proudest accomplishment was building the stairs and bookcase which was a two month labour of love. As there’s a structural beam running the width of the living room,ย originallyย when you walked up the stairs you would need to duck underneath it! So I pushed the stairs back behind the beam to avoid this.ย I then installedย two new walls in the old boiler room/dining room and the black bi-fold doors that can be used to close off the room should you want to house guests. The tiles were removed and replaced by polished concrete.ย I then ripped down the false ceiling to expose the concrete ceiling and ran copper pipes to the light fitting to maximise the head height.”

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Before: living
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After: living

Once his least favourite space, theย oldย boiler room come dining room now house two new rooms, one a walk in wardrobe/storage space and the otherย a dining room with bifold doors. “I love having a separate dining room. It’s certainly my favourite space as it’s such a luxury to have in inner city apartments.”

Before: dining/boiler room
Before: dining/boiler room
After: dining
After: dining

Mixingย a lot of off the shelf Bunnings and Ikea hardware with statement pieces to try to keep costs down, such as theย budget subway tiles mixed with Carrara marbleย benchtops, one place Michael did decide to spend big on was theย lights. “Moving all the lighting from track lights on the wall to the ceiling totally removed the dim, depressing mood of the place.ย It’s made the biggest difference to the home.”

Before: bedroom
Before: bedroom
After: bedroom
After: bedroom

With the property markingย Michael’s third reno — he splits his time between working as a medical advisor, running his side project A.M. Homewares and renovating — he wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again! “The space you live in has such a big impact on your mood so if you don’t like something, change it. Just remember to keep track of the budget! I had an excel document permanently open on my laptop tracking every cent.”

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November 5, 2015

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Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaideโ€™s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the homeโ€™s original, period features. 

Designed by the homeโ€™s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

#londonapartment #bloomsbury
#bloomsburylondon #luxuryapartment #westendlondon #lilackitchen #colourfulkitchen #londonhome #londonhomes #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #kitchenshelf #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelfie #openshelves #openshelvingkitchen
I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea fromย @iltuttoย the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room to whet your appetite! 

Head on over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest of this gorgeous Sydney reno by @_studio_trio 

Pix by @mareehomer.photography and styling by Jackie Brown.

#interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno #housetour #australianhomes #australianhouses #sydneyhomes #sydneyhouses #texturedtiles #kitchenshelfie #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelf #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #studiotrio #kitchenhooks
There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's lates There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's latest collection Marguerite but the Aida rug has to be my personal fave.

Handcrafted from wool, it features a rustic check design with a rainbow of nostalgic colour. Embroidered edge stitching furthers its handcrafted feel. 

โ€œThis is pure colour joy bundled up in a hard-wearing and happy rug that will lift any room with ease," says creative director Phoebe Bell.

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see more, including Phoebe's 5 faves.

#sageandclare #rugshopping #rainbowrug #tartanrug #checkeredrug #flatweaverugs #statementrug #handcraftedhomedecor #handcraftedhomewares #funhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $120 A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $1200!

After 4 years of saying โ€œa dining nook would be great thereโ€ฆโ€ South Australians @the_groves_abode finally got a quote from a local cabinet maker for a built-in bench seat with storage. When the $4,000 price tag was revealed, criminologist, chronic over-achiever and wannabe carpenter Andrew decided to have a crack at it instead.

And we're so impressed with the end result which cost just over a grand. Read what they did, what they used and how in the blog now, via link in bio.

#diningnook #benchseat #benchseating #builtinbench #upholsteredbench #diybench #diycouple #budgetdiy #bunningsdiy #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #realreno #diningroomideas #breakfastnook #breakfastnookdesign #homediyproject
Mess = stress! Today on the blog, @little_label_c Mess = stress!

Today on the blog, @little_label_co founder Natalie Manoushian is sharing her top tips for a more organised home. I'd love you to share your best tips in the comments too!

"Disorganisation puts barriers in the way. Imagine how much quicker you would get things done if your home or work space ran smoothly. Researchers have found that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a particular task. From the frustration of not being able to find what we need, to the feeling of being constantly surrounded by chaos, a disorganised environment creates brain fog and can lead to procrastination and reduces productivity. It can also trigger feelings of stress and anxiety, making it difficult to switch off, relax and sleep well."

Read the full post via link in bio now 

#littlelabelco #labelling #labellingeverything #homeorganisation #homeorganizationtips #homeorganising #homeorganisation #organisationtips #tidyingtips #homehack #storagegoals #pantrymakeover #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #cupboardstorage
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarLouise says

    November 6, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I would love to see some more true home reno’s where people take it from trash to treasure and it motivates and inspires people to get out the sledge hammer, rip it out and build it back up.

    Keep up the great work ladies because renovating my own house you truly are an inspiration!

    Reply
  2. AvatarLibby says

    November 6, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Hi,
    I think the owner has done a fab job. Well done.
    I agree that lighting can totally transform a space.
    I wonder if the profit is as much as you suggest after paying the loan costs,stamp duty, land tax and real estate agent fees?

    Reply
  3. AvatarMelinda from a Beaut Home Blog says

    November 9, 2015 at 12:36 am

    I really like how Michael transformed this apartment on 40k ! That’s pretty amazing in itself.
    I’m currently renovating myself with my partner and sometimes to be honest it’s exhausting trying to be super motivated every weekend. But stories like these keep me inspired and hopeful all the hard work will be worth it.
    Mental note – excel budget on my desktop – I must admit I’ve let this go a bit. Maybe another tip would be NEVER go into Bunnings without a shopping list of needs.

    Reply

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